Polished concrete floor: How much does it cost?

Polished concrete floors are gaining popularity as flooring material for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. This is a flexible and low-maintenance choice when people want to have the flooring installed for interior or outdoor concrete floors, old or new, with various gloss levels and aggregate exposure to choose from. 

This simple price guide can help you budget for your concrete polishing project.

How much does a polished concrete flooring cost in Australia?

While polished concrete flooring costs depend on many factors, it ranges from $50 to $100 per square metre (sq m) in Australia. However, the fee may be lower if you already have existing concrete flooring and only need a simple polish.

Here’s the average price list and breakdown for a polished concrete cost per square metre:

Types of polished concrete floors

Below are the three most common varieties, along with their corresponding polished concrete installation cost:

Grind and seal

A grind and seal method involves grinding the top layer and sealing it with a matte or gloss sealant. It can be used indoors and outdoors and is popular for garages, driveways, shops, restaurants, bars, homes and offices.

Honed concrete

This type of polish leaves a smooth and even matte finish after grinding. Honed concrete is commonly used around pools, pathways, driveways and outdoor entertainment areas in a home.

Mechanical polish

This process involves grinding, hardening, and then polishing. Mechanical polish typically has a high-end finish and is recommended indoors only.

What are the factors affecting polished concrete floor costs?

Project scope, location, and room size can affect your polished concrete flooring costs. (Source: iStock)

Polishing concrete involves more than just buying the right materials and hiring a contractor. You’ll also have to consider other factors that could influence the total cost of hiring this flooring service.

Location

The pricing depends on where you live. An average square metre of polished concrete in Melbourne costs $50. Queensland residents may expect to pay around $65 per square metre for the same polished concrete services.

Room size and accessibility

Larger rooms have higher material and labour costs. For instance, polished concrete garage floor costs can be higher than finishing a simple bedroom. But, even small rooms or spaces like bathrooms that don’t require a lot of materials can be challenging due to access issues and complexity. 

Excavation depth

Providing a stable foundation when constructing a new concrete floor is critical to prevent subsidence and cracking. Building a foundation requires removing the existing base and excavating the underlying ground. 

Because the local geology, soil characteristics, and water table can vary, the excavation depth can only be established once the excavator reaches stable subsoil. The deeper you dig, the more soil you need to remove and concrete you must use. As a result, the depth of the excavation significantly impacts the average cost of polishing concrete floors.

Floor condition

How the concrete floor foundation is rebuilt depends on the type and state of the existing floor. If the foundation of some old concrete floors remains solid, you may only replace the concrete. A timber-suspended floor, in contrast, will need to be completely removed to properly lay insulation layers, followed by the installation of new floor foundations. 

Finish

You can dye your polished concrete flooring to match your interior. Polishes and sealants will lengthen the concrete’s lifespan and make it easier to maintain a clean surface. All of these, however, raise the overall costs of polished concrete floors.

What are the benefits of polished concrete floors?

 Polished concrete flooring adds modern appeal while being low-maintenance and cost-effective.(Source: iStock)

You might be wondering what you will gain by installing concrete floors. Here are a few benefits you might enjoy:

• Requires little maintenance. Concrete floors that have been polished will maintain their quality for a very long period. These floors require routine sweeping or vacuuming, washing, and drying. Periodically, use a high-quality sealer to reseal the surface.

• Your property will look stylish, contemporary, and modern. Polished concrete can be stained or dyed in different colours. You can paint a polished concrete floor with a light colour that will reflect light. This isn’t only visually pleasing but can also cut your energy costs because it lets light travel across the space more efficiently; thus, less indoor lighting will be required.

• Doesn’t retain dirt. By selecting the right sealer, the floors will be waterproof, stain-resistant, and non-slip. 

• More cost-effective. Polished concrete is less expensive than hardwood, marble, tile, and other floor coverings. Moreover, unlike most other flooring options, polished concrete doesn’t become damaged by mould or mildew. This type of flooring is also perfect for underfloor heating.

Find a skilled contractor for polished concrete flooring at Airtasker

There is no denying that a polished concrete floor of superior quality can enhance a home. So before you upgrade your flooring, get to work and look for a polished concrete flooring expert. 

Start creating a task to find a skilled contractor for the job. Mention your budget, location, preferred type and finish, and other important details when posting a task to receive a more accurate quote. Check out Tasker profiles, reviews, and ratings. To ensure a smooth polished concrete flooring installation project, make sure to cover everything!

Polished concrete flooring can increase the overall value of your property. Hiring a professional with the right equipment, experience, and skills is important to get the job done safely and efficiently!