Concrete, brick, bluestone, permeable paving and asphalt, side by side — real $/m² pricing so you can compare before you get a quote. Owner-operated by Antonio, 68 five-star reviews.
Fully installed pricing including base preparation. A typical Melbourne driveway is 30–50m².
| Material | Price per m² | Typical 40m² Driveway | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Concrete | $60–$90/m² | $2,400–$3,600 | 20–30 years |
| Exposed Aggregate / Coloured Concrete | $90–$150/m² | $3,600–$6,000 | 20–30 years |
| Brick Paving | $85–$150/m² | $3,400–$6,000 | 25+ years, individual pavers replaceable |
| Permeable Paving | $85–$110/m² | $3,400–$4,400 | 25+ years, council stormwater compliant |
| Bluestone Paving | $120–$215/m² | $4,800–$8,600 | 30+ years, premium natural stone |
| Asphalt (hot-mix) | $40–$80/m² | $1,600–$3,200 | 15–20 years, needs resealing |
Prices exclude GST and are indicative only. Antonio PrimeScape Construction installs concrete, brick, bluestone and permeable paving — asphalt pricing shown above for comparison only, it's not a service we offer.
The cheapest option upfront isn't always the cheapest over 20 years, and Melbourne's clay soils and wet winters change the calculation compared to other cities. Here's how the main options actually compare once you factor in maintenance and how they age.
Plain concrete is the cheapest driveway option per m², which is why it's so common. The trade-off is that Melbourne's reactive clay soils and freeze-thaw-style winter movement cause concrete to crack over time if the base isn't prepared properly — and once it cracks, you're looking at a full or partial replacement rather than a simple repair. Exposed aggregate and coloured finishes cost more but hide hairline cracking better than plain grey concrete.
Brick paving costs more to install than plain concrete, but individual pavers can be lifted and reset if the ground shifts, a tree root pushes through, or you need access for plumbing or electrical work — something concrete simply can't do without cutting, patching and a visible repair scar. Over 15-20 years, this usually makes brick the cheaper option once you account for the cost of concrete repairs.
Permeable paving sits in a similar price bracket to brick and mid-range concrete, but it becomes the more cost-effective choice on properties where council impervious-surface caps would otherwise force a smaller driveway or expensive additional stormwater works. See our full permeable paving guide for how this works suburb by suburb.
Bluestone costs the most per m² but is the material most likely to be specifically requested by buyers and valuers as a mark of a well-finished property, particularly in Melbourne's eastern and bayside suburbs. See our bluestone paving pricing for the full breakdown.
Asphalt is the lowest-cost driveway surface per m², which makes it common for long or wide driveways where budget is the main constraint. It doesn't hold up as well as concrete or paving to Melbourne's summer heat (it can soften) and typically needs resealing every 3-5 years and full replacement sooner than concrete, brick or stone.
Plain, exposed aggregate or coloured, properly reinforced.
Herringbone or running-bond clay/concrete pavers.
Sawn, honed or natural split finish.
Council-compliant water-sensitive design.
A concrete driveway in Melbourne typically costs $60-120/m² for plain concrete, or $90-150/m² for exposed aggregate or coloured finishes. A standard 40m² driveway usually lands between $2,400 and $6,000 fully installed, depending on finish, base preparation and site access.
Plain concrete runs $60-90/m², exposed aggregate $90-120/m², and coloured or stencilled concrete $100-150/m². Final price depends on excavation depth, reinforcement and whether the existing surface needs full removal.
Brick paving costs more upfront than plain concrete ($85-150/m² vs $60-90/m²) but individual pavers can be lifted and reset if they settle or need access for plumbing/electrical work, which concrete can't do without cutting and patching.
Replacing an existing concrete driveway typically costs $70-140/m² once you include removal and disposal of the old slab, which usually adds $15-25/m² on top of new installation pricing.
Permeable paving costs $85-110/m², broadly similar to mid-range brick or exposed aggregate concrete. It can work out cheaper overall in areas where council stormwater requirements would otherwise force a smaller hard-surface driveway or extra drainage works.
Asphalt is the cheapest option at $40-80/m², compared to $60-120/m² for concrete. Asphalt is faster to install and cheaper upfront, but concrete lasts longer, needs less resealing and handles Melbourne's summer heat without softening. We don't install asphalt ourselves — this is a market price comparison only.
No — asphalt isn't a service we offer. We specialise in concrete, brick, bluestone and permeable paving. Happy to quote on any paving, edging or drainage work around an asphalt driveway if you go that route.
Tell us your driveway size and preferred material — Antonio will give you an honest, written, fixed-price quote, usually within 24 hours.
