Factors Affecting Polished Concrete Cost

Why a square-metre number alone can mislead

A per-square-metre rate is a convenient shorthand, but on its own it hides most of what determines cost. It usually assumes a "standard" slab, a standard amount of preparation and a standard finish — and real floors vary on all three. A small, complex, contaminated or heavily prepared floor can cost far more per metre than a large, sound, simple one. The rate isn’t meaningless, but it’s an output of the factors below, not a substitute for them.

The factors that drive cost

Floor area. Size matters, but not always the way people expect: larger areas can be more efficient per metre, while small or broken-up spaces carry more setup and edge work relative to their size. Total area is the starting point, not the whole story.

New versus existing slab. A new slab planned for polishing offers more opportunity to coordinate the intended finish, although concrete and site conditions still introduce variation. An existing slab is a case of discovering what’s there — its condition, coverings and history all affect the work involved.

Slab condition. Cracks, unevenness, damage, past repairs and surface quality all influence how much grinding, repair and preparation is required before finishing can even begin.

Covering and adhesive removal. If the slab currently has tiles, vinyl, carpet, glue or old coatings, removing them — and dealing with stubborn adhesive residue — is real work that adds to cost, and it’s often hard to fully judge until it’s underway.

Repairs and preparation. Crack filling, patching and making the surface suitable for the proposed finish can be a significant and sometimes unpredictable cost component.

Aggregate exposure. The look you choose affects the work: deeper exposure means more grinding, and different exposure levels involve different effort (our aggregate-exposure guide explains the options). Exposure is a design choice with a cost dimension.

Sheen / refinement. How far the floor is refined — from a lower sheen through to a high polish — affects the number of stages and therefore the labour.

Finish type: MPC versus grind and seal or other finishes. Mechanically polished concrete, grind and seal, and other finishes are different systems with different processes and materials (see our comparisons), so the chosen finish is a core cost driver, not a like-for-like swap.

Coating-system specification. For grind and seal, epoxy or other coated systems, the specification — how it’s prepared, primed and built up, and the topcoat — affects both cost and performance (our sealers-and-coatings guide covers the families). A heavier, higher-spec system is more involved than a basic one.

Edges, corners, fixtures, thresholds and access. Perimeters, columns, cabinetry, fixtures, thresholds and set-downs are done with smaller tools and more handwork, so a cut-up floor with lots of edges costs more per metre than an open one. Site access (stairs, tight spaces, available power, working around occupants) matters too.

Moisture or contamination issues. Moisture in the slab, or contamination that affects finishing or coating adhesion, can require assessment and remediation and can change what finish is even suitable — a genuine cost and feasibility factor.

Programme and return-to-service requirements. A tight timeframe, working around other trades, staged access, out-of-hours work, or a need to return a space to use quickly can all affect how a job is resourced and priced.

Regional and site logistics. Location, travel, parking, power availability and the practicalities of the site all feed in — a straightforward suburban job and a remote or awkward site aren’t the same.

Maintenance and lifecycle considerations. Cost isn’t only the install. Different finishes have different upkeep and eventual renewal patterns (see our maintenance guide), so the honest comparison weighs whole-of-life, not just day one.

Cost factors at a glance

This isn’t a price list — it’s what a contractor weighs, and what you can help by describing.

What helps us quote accurately

Because so much depends on the specifics, the more you can share, the more accurate a quote will be. Useful information includes: the area and a rough plan (and how cut-up it is); whether it’s a new or existing slab; the slab’s current condition and any existing covering (tiles, vinyl, carpet, glue, coatings); any cracks, damage or known moisture; the look you want (exposure and sheen, or a reference photo); the finish you’re considering (MPC, grind and seal, or unsure); site access and power; your timeframe and any need to return the space to use quickly; and photos, which are genuinely worth a lot. On an existing floor, an on-site look is often the only way to quote with confidence.

The bottom line

Polished concrete cost is driven by the slab, the preparation, the finish and the site — not by a headline rate. A per-metre figure can be a rough starting point, but it can also mislead if it ignores what your floor actually needs. The reliable path is to describe your floor as fully as you can, expect an on-site assessment for anything but the simplest job, and get a quote built on the real factors above. That way the number reflects your floor — not an average that might not fit it.