How much does concrete polishing cost in melbourne?

Concrete grinding is a heavy duty job that requires specialised equipment along with experience and skill. The main criticism of concrete is that it looks rough upon completion. But all that has changed with the rise of concrete polishing, giving concrete the benefits of aesthetic appeal in tandem with its classic strength and durability.

Concrete grinding and polishing services are measured in price per square meter, like many construction services. Below, we are going to investigate the concrete polishing cost and the concrete grinding cost in Melbourne in 2021, and what exactly contributes to these prices.

Concrete Polishing Cost Per Square Meter

Companies that offer concrete grinding are also likely to offer concrete polishing. The concrete polishing cost will depend on the method used, what kind of colouration you select, and what the concrete is composed of (aggregate, cement, sand, additions like oxide, etc).

There are three major methods for concrete polishing. The first is the grind and seal method. The second is the honed polish. The honed polish method costs more but it lasts longer, so you may need to do a cost-benefit analysis. On average, you can expect to pay around $50 per square meter for the grind and seal and $75 per square meter for the honed polish.

The third method is known as the mechanical method. This will cost you around $100 per square meter, on average. Of course, all of these averages can go up or down depending on a number of variables. Factors affecting the price of concrete polishing will include:

➢ Concrete colour

➢ Concrete pattern

➢ Concrete polish type

➢ New or old floor

➢ Floor condition

➢ Accessibility

➢ Size/Shape of room

Concreting – Price Per Square Meter

Before you think about concrete grinding or concrete polishing, you’ll actually need to have some concrete laid down. The main factor affecting the price of concreting is the type of concrete, though this is obviously not going to be the only determinant. Loose prices for laying down concrete are as follows:

➢ Spray on concrete –  $50 to $75 per square metre
➢ Standard plain concrete – $60 to $85 per square meter
➢ Coloured concrete – $90 to $150 per square meter
➢ Exposed aggregate concrete – $120 to $150 per square meter
➢ Decorative stencilled finish – $120 to $175 per square meter

You will also have to factor in labour costs. The prices above are for the concrete only. This is in contrast to polishing and grinding, where you are only really paying for the labour itself. For laying your own concrete, you will pay either the hourly rate or a fixed rate per square meter/project. The hourly rate in Melbourne is about $70 per hour. You might be able to find a ‘newbie’ with lesser experience for about $40 per hour. But this could easily end up costing you more money.

If you are charged more than $70 an hour, don’t be too discouraged. You could be working with an exceptional contractor with superb communication, amazing attention to detail, and work that is completed on time and within budget. More often than not, you pay for what you get.

Lowering Concrete Costs

There are many steps you can take if you are looking to lower the cost of grinding, polishing, and concrete in general. The first and most obvious one is to find out what you need done and quote around. Getting quotes is pointless unless you have detailed information about what you want to get done.

But you don’t merely want to look at prices alone. You want to find a reliable concrete specialist with an excellent reputation and then look at costs. Otherwise, you will be led to believe that you are getting a ‘bargain’, when you are simply getting a lower quality of service. After all, price comparisons are meaningless without tying in the prices to what is actually delivered. To lower the concrete polishing cost cost, consider:

1. Working with industry veterans.
2. Being clear about what it is that you want
3. Learning about the concrete process so you actually know what you’re talking about
4. Comparing quotes between reliable providers
5. Bunching services together to avail of price discounts
6. Working with one provider on a larger area to earn volume discounts
7. Getting a fixed fee as opposed to an hourly rate.

2021 – Concrete Prices in Melbourne

In sum, you will pay about $50 – $70 per square meter for concrete grinding. The concrete polishing cost will be between $50 – $100 per square meter, depending on what method you opt for.
To save you time, money, stress, and attention, why not work with Flawless Floorz? After all, quotes are 100% free so you know precisely what the cost is upfront. We take pride in our transparent pricing system and have an excellent reputation in Melbourne. We quote reasonably and always deliver on it – read previous client testimonials and see for yourself. 

Call now on 0450 550 649 for affordable services in Melbourne with premium concrete specialists. 

How long does concrete polishing last?

You can expect concrete polishing to last between 5- 15 years. Grind and seal will last around 5 years, honed will last closer to 10, and mechanical methods can last up to 15 years. Depending on the size, it can take between 3 – 7 days to complete concrete polishing.

Can I get a builder to do my concreting to reduce the cost?

Yes, though it is not really recommended. Why hire somebody to do something that they don’t specialise in? It would be like choosing to hire a general carpenter to make custom cabinets, instead of a dedicated cabinet carpenter. The quality is unlikely to be the same, even if they say they can do a ‘good job’.

Is polished concrete cheaper than tiling?

It depends on a number of variables, but the price will work out at roughly the same. There can be confusion here because tiles are quoted per square metre for the material and the installation is quoted separately per square metre. Concrete polishing services do not really require a supply as you are polishing existing concrete. You will be given an all-inclusive quote. 

Is polished concrete cheaper than carpet?

The concrete polishing cost is certainly more expensive than carpet. Even though you will pay for both installation and materials costs with carpet, it is still cheaper (unless you have an exotic kind of carpet). However, polished concrete will hold its own far better than carpet and you don’t have to worry about stains or spills. On a long-term basis, polished concrete might actually work out to be much more affordable. 

Why is polished concrete so expensive?

The reason it is expensive is because it is a specialised process. You need to have an expensive concrete grinder to grind the concrete. And you then have to apply a finish. It is potentially dangerous with all of the dust and grit and requires careful attention to detail. You can’t fix errors in concrete as easily as you can with softer materials. All in all, it takes more time and effort in comparison to timber or carpet. Which is to be expected given how hard the product is. 

However, there are options. Grind and sealed concrete is not technically the same as polished concrete, but it looks almost identical at a reduced cost. Honed concrete offers similar benefits to polished concrete at a reduced rate. Remember that while it might seem expensive, concrete  will last far longer than alternatives and needs much less maintenance. Moreover, polished concrete is resistant to stains, burns, impact, and pretty much everything else!

Can I grind and polish my own concrete to reduce the cost?

This is more likely to cost you money. Concrete is…hard. If you mess it up, it’s going to cost you a lot of money to rectify the problem. You are not working with wood or plastic here. You are working with heavy duty equipment and potentially toxic chemicals. 

Save yourself some money by working with trusted experts like Flawless Floorz. We have extensive experience in providing top quality concrete services at unbeatable prices. You won’t be disappointed at how fast we work and how transparent our quoting mechanism is.

Call now for a free quote on 0450 550 649.