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If you’re thinking about updating a tired driveway, faded patio, or stained concrete surface, chances are you’ve asked the big question: How much does concrete resurfacing cost in Sydney?
The short answer? It depends.
The right answer? It depends, for good reason.
At Sydney Wide Spray Pave, we believe homeowners deserve more than a vague estimate or a lowball quote with corners cut. That’s why we’ve created this no-nonsense, fully transparent guide to resurfacing costs, including spray-on concrete and epoxy flake systems. Whether you’re renovating to sell or upgrading to enjoy, here’s everything you need to know.
Resurfacing isn't one size fits all. Here’s what can shift your price up or down:
1. Type and Condition of the Existing Surface
This is one of the biggest cost factors, especially when it comes to grinding, materials, and preparation:
New Concrete:
Fast and affordable to prepare but often misunderstood. Despite being new, the surface still contains laitance (a weak, powdery layer that forms as bleed water rises during curing) that must be mechanically removed to ensure proper adhesion. Once ground, most new surfaces require no or one trowelled on base coat, depending on the hardness and texture of the concrete after grinding.
Stencilled Concrete:
These surfaces usually have hard, textured grooves and raised patterns that slow down grinding. If resurfacing with cement-based coatings, the stencil is not removed but is filled with two trowelled on base coats after basic grinding of the surface. If applying an epoxy flake finish, the stencil must be completely ground off, which adds significant labour.
Stamped Concrete:
The hardest surface to work with. Sealer sits deep within the stamped grooves and must be removed by soda or sandblasting. Once cleaned, only spray on coatings can be applied, as stamped patterns are too deep to level without risking cracks.
Previously Sealed Surfaces:
Often require aggressive grinding with PCDs to remove old sealers, followed by a smooth re grind before resurfacing can begin.
Spray On Concrete in Good Condition:
May only need to be lightly roughened to ensure a solid bond, keeping preparation time and cost low. However, since the new coating depends entirely on the original contractor’s work, there is a risk of failure, and no warranty is offered. Full removal is recommended for long-term reliability, but resurfacing over it is possible if the client accepts the risk.
Spray On Coatings That Are Peeling:
The failed layer must be fully ground off before resurfacing can begin, which adds considerable time and labour. Spray on concrete can reach strengths of up to 70 MPa, making it extremely hard and difficult to grind.
Stencilled Concrete That’s Already Been Filled and Sprayed Over:
Often has multiple layers that increase prep time. If the surface is intact and not peeling, grinding to the original stencil is usually enough. But if it's peeling, the entire underlying stencil must be removed, as the grout lines are filled with failing material. This may require grinding up to 6 mm deep, making it a very labour-intensive process.
Old, Worn Out, or Chalky Concrete:
May need extra grinding to level exposed aggregate. If the surface remains soft or unstable, a concrete densifier may be required before applying primers or coatings.
Existing Pebblecrete:
Requires extensive levelling work. It typically needs up to four times the amount of resurfacing material just to create a flat, even surface before any decorative coats can be applied.• Concrete with Water Seepage: Moisture rising from under the slab, leaking through retaining walls from rain, or entering via expansion joints must be fully resolved before resurfacing. This may require the application of cementitious compatible waterproofers before any coatings are applied.
Steep Driveways:
Cannot be ground with large planetary grinders. Smaller grinders must be used, which increases labour time and reduces grinding efficiency.
2. Amount of Edging and Detail Work
Large, open concrete areas (like plain driveways or patios) are faster and easier to resurface. But when a job includes lots of edges or obstacles, such as:
• Tight spaces between walls, fences, retaining walls
• Tricky areas around steps, poles, garden beds, or drains
• Careful trowel work near doorways or skirting boards
• Masking things like garage doors, fences, or garden features to protect them from overspray or dust…it takes significantly more labour and time to prepare and complete the work.
Why? Because detailed areas require precision in both surface preparation and masking. This slows down the process and adds to the total cost. In fact, small 20m² jobs with tight edges and obstacles often take just as long, if not longer, than open 100m² areas. Larger jobs are generally faster and easier to complete because they allow for efficient grinding and spraying without constant edge work or masking.
A key factor is the perimeter of the job. Two areas with the same square meterage can have very different perimeters. For example, a 10m × 5m slab has a perimeter of 40m, while a 50m × 1m pathway has a perimeter of 102m, more than double. This impacts both grinding and masking.
Large grinders don’t reach right to the edge, leaving about 20mm that must be finished using handheld angle grinders. The longer the perimeter, the more edging required. The same applies to masking. Protecting 102 metres of perimeter takes far more time and effort than masking 40m. That’s why narrow side paths, even at just 15-20m², often take longer to complete than a 70m² open driveway.
3. Moisture and Subsurface Issues
Moisture seepage beneath or through concrete must be addressed before resurfacing. If ignored, it can lead to bubbling, peeling, or complete coating failure. Common sources include rising damp, poor drainage, rainwater seeping through retaining walls, or ground positioned at the lower end of a property where water accumulates in the soil. Water can also enter through cracks, joints, or unsealed edges.Addressing this may involve:
• Applying moisture barrier primers or membranes
• Allowing time for proper slab drying, especially after pressure cleaning or rainfall
• Sealing cracks, joints, or surrounding areas to stop water entry
• Using specialised primers designed to resist moisture and prevent delamination
We assess the area for moisture during every site inspection. However, active moisture issues may not always be visible if the inspection is conducted on a particularly dry day. That’s why it’s important for the client to inform us of any water seepage, damp spots, or drainage problems they’ve noticed, especially after rain.
Failure to mention these issues can lead to unexpected delays or additional charges if moisture becomes a problem after the job has commenced.
4. Environment and Site Condition
Every job site is different, and the surrounding environment can significantly affect the time, effort, and materials required to complete resurfacing properly. Certain site conditions demand more attention and care, which may influence the overall cost and duration of the project.
Common factors include:
• High dirt areas with overhanging trees, sap, flowering plants, or constant leaf drop, which require extra cleaning and frequent blower use between coats
• Strata or shared property projects that involve coordination with property managers, residents, or other contractors, often requiring additional communication and scheduling effort
• Uneven or poorly laid slabs that need detailed grinding at transitions, expansion joints, or where slabs have lips that pose trip hazards
• Ramping or shaping around garage entries, drainage points, or side paths, which adds to prep time and increases the amount of resurfacing material needed
• Working alongside other trades on active worksites, which may delay access, limit available working space, or require extra caution and rework if other trades cause surface contamination or damage during or after prep
🎯 Accurate resurfacing starts with understanding what’s underfoot, and preparing it properly. That’s what separates short-term jobs from long-term results.
Let’s be blunt: we’re not trying to be the cheapest quote you’ll get, and you don’t want us to be.
Over the years, we’ve seen countless Sydney driveways that were resurfaced cheaply, only to fail within a year or two due to:
Skipped proper surface preparation:
No grinding, no primer, and no moisture treatment.
Used low-grade materials:
Thin coatings, cheap sealers, and diluted products.
Applied coatings incorrectly:
Only one main coat and a rushed sealer pass.
Ignored underlying problems:
Resurfaced over peeling layers, damp slabs, or stencilled concrete without proper removal.
Lacked experience and care:
Poor masking with visible overspray on walls, high edges, uneven spray texture, inconsistent coverage, and visible shortcuts that show the job was rushed from the start.
Many budget operators use diluted, generic sealers that offer little more than a temporary shine. These products break down quickly under UV exposure, absorb water, and lose their protective qualities far too soon, often leading to premature fading, staining, or even complete surface failure.
Some go further by diluting the polymer component itself, which weakens the bond strength and reduces coating durability. In many cases, they don’t follow manufacturer instructions at all, using incorrect mix ratios or applying products too thinly just to stretch materials and save costs. They also rely on cheap, low-pressure spray guns that produce inconsistent texture, minimal build, and patchy results, leaving the surface vulnerable from day one.
At Sydney Wide Spray Pave, we use premium-grade sealers from manufacturers who specialise in sealers formulated specifically for Australian conditions, ensuring long-lasting durability, UV resistance, and reliable protection. Our polymer mixes are applied exactly to specification, with no dilution and no shortcuts. Polymer is the backbone of strength and adhesion in any resurfacing system, and weakening or skipping it undermines the entire job.
We also use high-end Graco texture sprayer machines, purpose-built for applying resurfacing compounds with consistent coverage and precision.
This ensures:
• Smooth, even spray textures
• Proper coating build for long-term durability
• A cleaner, more professional finish that lasts
True Story: Fixing a Failed Job
We’ve had clients who initially chose a cheaper quote over ours, only to call us back months later when the surface failed. In one case, the contractor skipped grinding entirely, sprayed a single thin coat, and applied just one layer of sealer, and the surface was already delaminating. By the time we were brought in, the cost was even higher because we had to grind off the failed coating, re-prepare the slab properly, and start the job from scratch. It’s never satisfying to say “we told you so,” but these situations are a clear reminder that cutting corners always ends up costing more.
🛡️ We don’t cut corners on equipment or materials, because your surface deserves a finish that performs and protects for years to come.
Resurfacing takes years to master. Many mistakes don’t show up until months later, and only experienced applicators know how to avoid them. Some tradesmen rush jobs to save time and offer cheaper quotes. Others take pride in their work, paying attention to every detail to deliver lasting results. The difference is in their mindset, not just their skill. In the end, the quality of your finish reflects the character of the person applying it, so choose wisely.
Here a some things to look for beyond just technical skill:
Punctuality:
Do they arrive when they say they will? It reflects reliability and respect for your time.
Clear Communication:
Do they explain the process in a way that makes sense, without pressure or confusion?
Honesty:
Are they upfront about what the job actually needs, or just telling you what you want to hear?
Confidence:
Do they sound sure of their process and recommendations, or do they seem uncertain or vague?
Initiative:
Do they clearly outline the right steps from the beginning, or only mention critical tasks like grinding after you bring them up? If you have to suggest what should be done, that’s a red flag.
Presentation:
Do they appear neat, respectful, and professional? That’s often how they’ll treat your property too.
Responsiveness:
Do they return calls, reply to messages, and keep you updated throughout the process?
Work Ethic:
Do they take pride in doing the job right, even when nobody’s watching?
The biggest risk isn’t paying a bit more; it’s paying less to hire someone who doesn’t even know what they’re looking at. Many resurfacing failures come down to inexperience, shortcuts, or blind spots. It’s not just about quoting lower, it’s about missing the surface conditions, moisture issues, or preparation steps that make or break the job.
When those things are overlooked, it leads to rushed work, skipped processes, or worse, problems that are simply ignored. Proper resurfacing takes more than just tools and materials. It takes experience, foresight, and pride in doing things properly the first time.
Online price guides are useful, but nothing beats a proper quote tailored to your site.
📸Simply send us a few photos of your surface along with the rough size
We’ll reply with an SMS quote and clear breakdown to give you an upfront idea, no surprises, no fluff.
This quick process lets us get you a price fast, answer early questions, and keep things moving smoothly from the start. If you’re happy with the estimate, we’ll come out in person to confirm all the details and finalise the plan properly.
📞 Call or SMS Sydney Wide Spray Pave on 0424 900 920
If you’re ready to transform your concrete surface into a modern and functional space, call us today on 0424 900 920 . We’re happy to answer your queries and get you a no-obligation estimate within 12 hours.
