Plain, exposed-aggregate, decorative — done right the first time

Concrete driveway prices in Ballarat — 2026 cost guide

Q: How long until I can drive on it?

Foot traffic: 24 hours. Light cars: 7 days. Trucks / heavy loads: 28 days. We mark the date on every job.

Q: Will it crack?

Saw cuts control where cracks happen — they go along the cut lines, not across the slab. No saw cuts = random cracking. We never skip them.

Q: Plain concrete or exposed-aggregate?

Exposed-agg better grip in wet weather, more forgiving of dirt + stains. Plain cheaper + smoother appearance. Most Ballarat buyers go exposed-agg.

Q: Can you match my existing concrete?

Colour match within 2–3 shades on plain; exposed-agg matches by aggregate selection. Honed and stamped are 1-2 weeks lead-time on test panels.

Q: Maintenance — what do I do?

Re-seal exposed-agg every 4–5 years ($8–$15/sqm). Wash plain concrete annually. Saw-cut joints can be re-filled if they widen.

Q: Coloured concrete — fade?

Integral oxide (mixed at batch) doesn't fade. Surface stains fade in 3-5 years. We recommend oxide colour.

Q: How long does install take?

Typical 40sqm driveway: 1 day prep, 1 day pour, 7 days cure. Total 9 days from quote-acceptance to drive-on.

Concrete driveways in Ballarat sit between $85/sqm (plain) and $220/sqm (decorative stamped) fitted. A typical 35–45 sqm driveway costs $3,200–$8,500 done properly with base prep, mesh, and saw cuts. The cheap-end of the market skips one of those three and the driveway cracks in year 2.

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Below are realistic 2026 per-sqm rates plus the typical inclusions. Every quote separates base prep from surface. Call (03) 9003 0108 for an exact quote.

Typical 2026 prices for concrete driveways in Ballarat

Real ranges from our books, not made-up averages. Every quote we issue is itemised against the work below.

Service	Typical range (AU 2026)	What's included
Plain concrete (per sqm fitted)	$85 – $140	100mm slab, SL72 mesh, basic finish, saw cuts.
Exposed-aggregate (per sqm fitted)	$120 – $180	Most popular. Stone aggregate exposed + sealed.
Honed concrete (per sqm fitted)	$140 – $220	Diamond-ground smooth finish. Premium look.
Stamped / pattern concrete (per sqm fitted)	$140 – $220	Mimics pavers, slate, or cobble. Monolithic durability.
Coloured concrete (per sqm fitted)	+$15 – $35 per sqm	Integral colour oxide added at mix.
Saw-cut joints (per linear m)	$18 – $32	Required on slabs >25sqm. Controls cracking.
Engineered slab (reactive clay)	+$25 – $48 per sqm	SL82 mesh + thicker base + articulation. AS 2870.
Crossover (council kerb cut)	$1,400 – $3,200	Council-spec, includes paperwork.
Existing driveway removal	$45 – $85 per sqm	Demo + skip + disposal.
Decorative border / contrasting band	+$45 – $85 per linear m	Visual upgrade on plain concrete.
Re-seal exposed-aggregate (every 5 years)	$8 – $15 per sqm	Maintenance to keep finish.
Crack repair / joint re-fill	$220 – $580	On older driveways.
Driveway widening (extension)	Match per-sqm rate	Tied into existing with starter bars.
Decorative drainage strip	$220 – $380 per linear m	Slot drain for slope reversal areas.

Prices indicative for Ballarat in 2026. Final quote depends on your site — call (03) 9003 0108 for an exact number.

Need an exact price for your job?

Most quotes ready within 24 hours of the site visit. No-obligation, free, written.

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What changes the price on your job

The ranges above are the starting point. These five factors are what move a quote up or down within (or sometimes outside) those bands.

Surface choice — plain to stamped is a $50–$80/sqm spread.
Soil type — reactive clay needs engineered slab + AS 2870 detailing.
Area — small driveways (<25sqm) carry a fixed-cost premium.
Access — concrete pump required if the truck can't reach the pour adds $480–$880.
Slope — anything over 12% slope needs anti-slip finish (+$8/sqm).

Red flags — what to watch for in quotes

We see these patterns every week from operators we'd never recommend. If a quote you've received contains one of these, ask before signing.

Quotes without mesh specified — illegal under AS 2870 but it happens.
Quotes without saw cuts — on a 35-45sqm driveway, cracks within 18 months.
Cheap-end '$70/sqm' specials — usually 75mm thick (not 100), no mesh, no joints.
Bait-and-switch with the finish — 'exposed agg' delivered as a brush-finish slab.
Concrete cured under heavy traffic before 7 days — cracking pattern.

How to get an accurate quote in 5 minutes

Have the following ready when you call (03) 9003 0108 (or jot it on the quote form) and we can give you a real number in one call, not five.

Driveway dimensions (LxW) for sqm.
Photo of existing site + neighbour properties.
Surface preference (plain / exposed-agg / honed / stamped).
Colour preference if going coloured.
Whether council crossover is needed (new driveway entry).

Frequently asked questions

How long until I can drive on it?

Foot traffic: 24 hours. Light cars: 7 days. Trucks / heavy loads: 28 days. We mark the date on every job.

Will it crack?

Saw cuts control where cracks happen — they go along the cut lines, not across the slab. No saw cuts = random cracking. We never skip them.

Plain concrete or exposed-aggregate?

Exposed-agg better grip in wet weather, more forgiving of dirt + stains. Plain cheaper + smoother appearance. Most Ballarat buyers go exposed-agg.

Can you match my existing concrete?

Colour match within 2–3 shades on plain; exposed-agg matches by aggregate selection. Honed and stamped are 1-2 weeks lead-time on test panels.

Maintenance — what do I do?

Re-seal exposed-agg every 4–5 years ($8–$15/sqm). Wash plain concrete annually. Saw-cut joints can be re-filled if they widen.

Coloured concrete — fade?

Integral oxide (mixed at batch) doesn't fade. Surface stains fade in 3-5 years. We recommend oxide colour.

How long does install take?

Typical 40sqm driveway: 1 day prep, 1 day pour, 7 days cure. Total 9 days from quote-acceptance to drive-on.

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