Typical Costs

$80 - $320 per m²
Varies by polish level, aggregate exposure, slab area, site access, and whether the slab is new or existing.
Honed / matte finish (existing slab)$60-$120/m²
Standard polish (existing slab, 800 grit)$100-$160/m²
High gloss polish (1500 to 3000 grit)$140-$220/m²
New slab + full polish system$180-$280/m²
Polished overlay over existing slab$120-$200/m²
Premium full aggregate exposure$220-$320/m²

Prices include initial grinding, multiple grit pass progression, lithium silicate or sodium silicate densifier application, fine polishing, and a single coat of penetrating sealer or guard. Crack and joint repair, removal of existing coatings, addition of a topical guard, and dust control measures for occupied buildings may attract additional charges. Always obtain a fully itemised quote in writing.

Polished Concrete NSW 2026 - Get Free Quotes

Polished concrete in NSW costs $60 to $120 per square metre for a honed matte finish, $100 to $160 for a standard 800 grit polish on an existing slab, $140 to $220 for high gloss work to 1500 or 3000 grit, and $180 to $280 per square metre for a new slab with full polish system. The technique uses progressive diamond grinding combined with chemical densifiers to harden the concrete surface and bring it to a hard wearing, low maintenance, often glossy finish suited to residential floors, retail spaces, warehouses, and commercial fitouts. This guide covers grit levels, aggregate exposure, densifiers and sealers, slip resistance under AS 4586, dust control in occupied buildings, NSW Fair Trading licensing, and pricing across Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and regional NSW.

Polished Floors from $60/m² Licensed NSW Concrete Polishers

Polished Concrete Across NSW

Detailed pricing for residential floors, retail and hospitality fitouts, warehouse and industrial slabs, garage floors, commercial offices, and decorative residential polished concrete across Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, and regional New South Wales. Honed, satin, semi gloss, and high gloss finishes with cream, salt and pepper, or full aggregate exposure.

Get Free Quotes

At a Glance - Polished Concrete Costs NSW

Finish Level Typical Cost Final Grit Gloss Level Best For
Honed / matte (cream) $60-$120/m² 200-400 Matte / no sheen Industrial floors, garages
Satin polish $100-$160/m² 800 Soft sheen Warehouses, basic retail
Semi gloss polish $130-$190/m² 1500 Reflective sheen Cafes, showrooms, offices
High gloss polish $150-$220/m² 3000 Mirror finish Residential, premium retail
New slab + polish system $180-$280/m² 800-3000 Variable New build residential, fitouts
Polished overlay (over existing) $120-$200/m² 800-1500 Soft to high Damaged or low spec slabs

Cost Depth: What Drives Polished Concrete Pricing in NSW

Polished concrete pricing in NSW is shaped most heavily by three things that homeowners often discover only when comparing quotes side by side. The first is the number of grit passes specified in the system. A genuine high gloss polished floor requires seven to ten progressive grit passes from initial 30 grit metal bond diamonds through to final 3000 grit resin bond polishing pads, and each pass adds time, machine wear, and consumable cost. A quote priced at the lower end of the market may include only three or four passes, producing a finish that looks acceptable on day one but lacks the depth and durability of a fully refined polish. The second is the densifier system, where lithium silicate densifiers from suppliers including Markham Global, Ardex, and Husqvarna sit at the higher end and produce harder, more stain resistant finishes than the cheaper sodium silicate alternatives. The third is the aggregate exposure level, with cream finishes that polish only the cement paste being the fastest and cheapest, salt and pepper finishes exposing fine aggregate sitting in the middle, and full aggregate exposure requiring much more aggressive initial grinding to expose the larger stones. A 100 square metre Sydney residential floor in a finished new build typically lands between $14,000 and $20,000 fully completed, while the same area with a full aggregate exposure, premium densifier, and 3000 grit final polish can reach $22,000 to $32,000.

Concrete polishing work valued above $5,000 in NSW must be performed by a contractor holding a valid licence from NSW Fair Trading. Always verify the licence number and ask for addresses of completed polished work before signing.

Get Polished Concrete Quotes

Connect with licensed NSW concrete polishers for residential floors, retail and cafe fitouts, warehouse slabs, garage floors, and commercial polished concrete projects.

Get Free Quotes
Free · No obligation · NSW-wide

Polished Concrete Costs in NSW

Polished concrete is among the most popular hard floor finishes in NSW residential and commercial construction in 2026. The combination of an extremely durable surface that can handle decades of foot traffic without significant wear, the option to integrate with hydronic underfloor heating systems, the visual flexibility from a soft cream finish through to a high gloss mirror polish, and the long term cost of ownership being well below carpet, timber, or tile alternatives makes polished concrete the default specification for many open plan residential floors, retail fitouts, and warehouse projects across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and the major regional centres. NSW pricing in 2026 spans $60 per square metre for a basic honed industrial floor through to $320 per square metre for a premium full aggregate residential pour with mirror polish.

The wide pricing range reflects what is actually a highly variable scope of work behind the headline term polished concrete. A polished floor can mean a quick three pass grind on an existing warehouse slab to remove surface contamination and deliver a basic satin finish, or it can mean a fully engineered polished concrete pour with white cement, integral colour, decorative aggregate, ten progressive grit passes, two layers of densifier, and a topical guard for premium retail. Both are correctly described as polished concrete, but they sit at opposite ends of the cost and quality spectrum. Understanding what level of polish is being quoted, what aggregate exposure is being delivered, and what densifier and sealer system is included is the only way to compare quotes meaningfully. The hub page on general concreting services in NSW covers the broader category of concrete trades and is a useful starting reference before commissioning any specific concreting project.

What Polished Concrete Includes in NSW

A polished concrete project typically follows one of two project paths. The first is polishing an existing slab, where a residential or commercial slab has already been poured (sometimes years before, sometimes as part of the current build) and a polishing contractor is engaged to grind, densify, and polish the existing surface. The second is a new build path where the slab is poured to a polishing specification from the outset, with appropriate concrete strength, mix design, and curing protocols, and the polishing contractor is engaged either at slab completion or after the building shell is closed in. The cost difference between these two paths is significant because a slab poured specifically for polishing is far more cooperative to grind and finish than a slab poured to standard specification.

For an existing slab, the typical scope of work includes site preparation and protection of adjacent surfaces from grinding dust, removal of any existing coatings or sealers using mechanical scarification or chemical strippers, repair of cracks and joints using a polyurea or epoxy filler, an initial coarse grind using metal bond diamonds typically at 30 to 50 grit to expose aggregate to the desired level, progressive grinding through 100, 200, and 400 grit transition resin pads, application of densifier (typically lithium silicate), fine polishing through 800, 1500, and 3000 grit resin pads to the specified gloss level, application of a penetrating sealer or topical guard, and final clean down. A typical 100 square metre residential polished slab takes five to ten working days to complete depending on the level of polish, condition of the existing slab, and access constraints.

For a new build polished slab, the project starts at the slab design stage with the concrete mix engineered for polishability. The concrete strength is typically 32 MPa rather than the 25 MPa standard residential mix, with a low water cement ratio for surface hardness, a maximum aggregate size selected to suit the desired exposure (10 to 14 millimetres for salt and pepper, 20 millimetres for full aggregate exposure), and curing protocols that prevent premature drying of the surface. The pour itself follows the same fundamentals as any quality concrete slab, and our concrete slab guide covers slab design and specification in detail. Polishing typically begins 28 days after the pour to ensure the slab has reached design strength, and follows the same grit progression as for an existing slab but without the coating removal and crack repair stages.

Grit Levels and Gloss Outcomes

The grit progression used in concrete polishing follows the same principle as polishing any other hard material. Each grit pass removes the scratch pattern left by the previous coarser grit and replaces it with a finer scratch pattern, and the surface gradually moves from a rough abraded texture to a near optical reflectivity. The standard NSW industry grit progression starts with metal bond diamonds at 30 to 50 grit to flatten the surface and expose aggregate, then transitions through 100 grit metal or hybrid bond, 200 and 400 grit transitional resin bond pads, 800 grit resin bond, 1500 grit resin bond, and 3000 grit resin bond for the final polish. Some specifications add a 6000 grit pass for ultra premium retail work, although the visual gain over 3000 grit is marginal in most lighting conditions.

The number of passes determines both the achievable gloss and the durability of the finish. A floor polished only to 400 grit produces a satin appearance that looks attractive in indirect lighting but quickly shows scuffs and shoe marks under direct light. A 800 grit floor produces a soft sheen that suits most residential and commercial applications. A 1500 grit floor produces a clear reflection of overhead lights and is the standard specification for premium retail and high end residential. A 3000 grit floor produces a mirror like reflection comparable to a polished stone floor and is the specification for showroom, hospitality, and statement architectural projects. Going below 400 grit and stopping is generally classified as a honed rather than polished finish and is typical of industrial warehouse work and garage floors where gloss is unimportant.

Each additional grit pass beyond 800 grit adds approximately $15 to $30 per square metre to the project cost. Quotes that omit pass counts and refer only to a finish description such as semi gloss are leaving room for substitution that may not match expectations. The most useful quote specifies the exact grit progression, for example, 30 metal, 100 metal, 200 transition, 400 transition, densifier, 800 resin, 1500 resin, 3000 resin, with each pass identified individually. Where a quote uses generic terms, request that the pass schedule be added in writing before signing the contract. Equipment used by NSW polishing contractors includes Husqvarna PG series planetary grinders, Klindex grinders, HTC Superfloor systems, and Diamatic equipment, with the choice of machine affecting the speed of work and the consistency of finish across larger areas. Our concrete grinding guide covers the grinding equipment and process detail in greater depth, including remediation work where existing slabs need flatness correction before polishing.

Cream, Salt and Pepper, Full Aggregate Exposure

Aggregate exposure is the visual decision that affects polished concrete more than any other single specification. Three standard exposure levels are recognised across the NSW industry. Cream finish exposes only the cement paste at the slab surface with no aggregate visible. Salt and pepper finish exposes the fine sand and small aggregate within the upper few millimetres of the slab. Full aggregate exposure grinds deep enough to expose the large aggregate stones across the slab surface, producing a finish that resembles polished terrazzo. Each level requires a different initial grinding depth and different decisions during the slab pour, and each produces a fundamentally different visual outcome.

Cream finish is the cheapest exposure level because the initial grinding only needs to remove the upper few hundred microns of cement laitance. The visual outcome is a uniform colour reflecting the integral colour of the slab, often a soft grey tone for standard concrete or any decorative tone for an integrally coloured pour. Cream finish suits modern minimalist interiors and works well with strong architectural lighting that benefits from a uniform reflective surface. The downside is that any minor flaws in the original slab pour, including bleed water marks, finishing trowel patterns, and surface inconsistencies, remain visible because the grinding does not penetrate deep enough to remove them. Cream finish is best suited to slabs poured to a polishing specification with attentive finishing.

Salt and pepper finish is the most popular residential polished concrete specification in NSW. The grinding removes 1 to 3 millimetres of surface paste and exposes the upper layer of fine aggregate, producing a textured visual surface that resembles a granite worktop in fine grain. The finish is forgiving of pour defects because the grinding removes most of the cement paste where finishing irregularities show. It works well with both modern and traditional interiors, accepts integral colour in a softer way than cream finish, and produces a slip resistance rating one or two points higher than cream finish at the same gloss level. Full aggregate exposure grinds 4 to 8 millimetres into the slab to expose the large 14 to 20 millimetre aggregate stones, and produces a dramatic terrazzo style finish best suited to retail, commercial, and statement residential projects. Full aggregate is the most expensive option because of the additional grinding time and the wear on metal bond diamonds, but produces the most striking visual outcome. For projects using integrally coloured concrete to enhance the visual impact of the polished finish, our coloured concrete guide covers integral colour, surface staining, and dye options.

Densifiers and Sealers

Densifier application is what transforms a ground concrete surface into a genuinely polished one. Densifiers are reactive chemical solutions, typically lithium silicate or sodium silicate, that penetrate the slab surface and react with calcium hydroxide in the cement paste to form a hard crystalline structure that fills the porosity of the surface and increases the surface hardness. The densified surface accepts subsequent fine polishing more readily, develops a deeper gloss with the same grit progression, and resists staining and abrasion better than an undensified polished surface. Densifiers are not optional for genuine polished concrete and any specification that omits the densifier step is producing only a ground and sealed finish rather than a polished one.

The choice between lithium silicate and sodium silicate densifiers is one of the more meaningful budget decisions in a polished concrete project. Lithium silicate, supplied across NSW by Markham Global, Ardex, Bostik, Davco, and Husqvarna among others, penetrates more deeply, reacts more efficiently with the cement paste, leaves no surface residue, and produces a harder, more stain resistant finish. Sodium silicate is significantly cheaper per litre but penetrates less effectively, can leave a surface residue requiring additional cleaning steps, and produces a less durable finish over time. The cost difference flows through to roughly $5 to $15 per square metre at the project level, and most quality NSW polishing contractors specify lithium silicate by default for residential and high end commercial work. Where a quote shows a lower than expected price for premium polish, asking specifically about the densifier brand and chemistry is one of the more useful filtering questions.

After polishing is complete, a final protective treatment is typically applied. Two main options exist. A penetrating sealer (sometimes called a guard or stain repellent) is a clear chemical that penetrates the densified surface and provides additional stain resistance without adding any film to the surface. A topical guard is a thin film that sits on the surface and provides higher stain resistance and easier cleaning at the cost of some surface sheen and a need to reapply periodically as the film wears. For residential and most commercial applications, a penetrating sealer is the appropriate specification because it preserves the appearance and slip resistance of the polished surface without ongoing reapplication. For food service and high spill risk environments, a topical guard offers more aggressive stain protection at the cost of some maintenance overhead. Our concrete sealing guide covers the full range of sealer chemistries for both polished and standard concrete surfaces.

Existing Slab vs New Pour for Polishing

The starting condition of the slab has an enormous effect on the final appearance and the cost of polishing. A new slab poured specifically for polishing offers the best possible starting point because the concrete strength, surface flatness, finishing technique, and cure protocol can all be optimised for the polishing process. A new pour can specify white cement, integral colour, decorative aggregate, exposed strength layer, and any number of decorative options that an existing slab simply cannot deliver retroactively. The polishing process itself is also faster and more predictable on a new slab because there are no existing coatings to remove, no settled cracks to repair, and no surface contamination from years of building use.

Polishing an existing slab, by contrast, is a remediation exercise as much as a finishing one. The existing slab condition must be assessed for flatness, cracks, settled joints, surface coatings, and embedded contamination before any meaningful quote can be provided. Older industrial slabs in NSW, particularly those poured in the 1970s and 1980s before modern concrete specifications became standard, often have low surface hardness, embedded oil contamination from decades of vehicle traffic, settled construction joints, and uncontrolled cracking. Each of these is rectifiable but adds time and cost to the polishing project. A site visit and assessment by the polishing contractor before quote finalisation is essential for any existing slab project, and quotes provided sight unseen for existing slab polishing should be treated with caution. For slabs requiring structural assessment and repair before polishing can proceed, our concrete repair guide covers the rectification options.

A third option that bridges the gap between polishing an existing slab and pouring a new one is a polished overlay system. A specially formulated cementitious overlay 8 to 20 millimetres thick is applied over the existing slab, allowed to cure, and then ground and polished to the desired finish. This option is appropriate for existing slabs in poor condition where the cost of remediation approaches or exceeds the cost of an overlay, or where a colour or aggregate effect is wanted that the existing slab cannot deliver. Polished overlays are technically demanding and require specialist contractors, but produce excellent results when properly executed. Our concrete resurfacing guide covers overlay systems for both polished and decorative finishes.

Dust Control in Occupied Buildings

Concrete grinding generates substantial quantities of crystalline silica dust, which is a recognised respiratory hazard regulated under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. The SafeWork NSW code of practice for managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica dust applies to all concrete grinding and polishing work in NSW and requires effective dust control measures throughout the work. Compliant polishing operations use HEPA filtered industrial vacuums connected directly to the grinding heads, capturing the great majority of dust at source before it can disperse into the building or onto site. Modern Husqvarna and Klindex grinders are designed for use with integrated vacuum extraction, and any polishing contractor not using vacuum integrated equipment is operating outside current best practice.

For occupied buildings including residential renovations, commercial fitouts in operating shopping centres, and office floors with ongoing tenant occupation, dust control extends beyond the grinding operation itself. Plastic containment walls and zip doors are erected around the work area to isolate dust from adjacent occupied space. Negative air pressure is established within the work area using HEPA filtered exhaust fans drawing air outwards through the building envelope, ensuring any dust that escapes the grinder vacuum is captured before it can migrate to occupied areas. Adjacent flooring, walls, and fittings are protected with plastic sheeting, painters tape, and corner protection. Lift access is coordinated with the building manager to avoid spreading dust through common areas during the work.

For residential work, dust control is somewhat simpler but no less important. Furniture and fittings should be removed from the polishing area entirely where possible, with any items that cannot be moved (kitchens, fitted wardrobes, fixed appliances) wrapped in plastic and taped at all openings. Doors to adjacent rooms should be sealed at the threshold and around the frame to prevent dust migration. The HVAC system should be turned off and intake vents covered for the duration of the work. Despite the best dust control measures, some fine dust will reach occupied areas in a residential setting and a thorough clean down at project completion is part of the standard scope. Asking each prospective contractor to walk through their dust control approach in writing is one of the most useful filtering questions for occupied building work. Where existing slab cuts, control joints, or services penetrations need to be opened or modified before polishing begins, our concrete cutting guide covers the diamond saw work involved, and our concrete coring guide covers neat circular penetrations for plumbing, conduit, and floor wastes that often need to be cut into a polished slab before the final polishing steps begin.

Slip Resistance with Polished Surfaces

Slip resistance is the single most important practical concern with high gloss polished concrete and is the topic where quote variation can mask significant safety differences between competing proposals. The Australian Standards framework for pedestrian floor slip resistance is AS 4586, which classifies floors from P0 (least slip resistant) through to P5 (most slip resistant) based on a pendulum test conducted on a wet surface. Residential floors typically need to achieve P3 minimum, commercial entries and toilet areas P4, ramps and disability access surfaces P4 or P5, and food service areas P5 in the kitchen and food preparation zones. A high gloss polished concrete floor without specific slip resistance treatment may rate as low as P0 or P1 when wet, which is well below the threshold for safe wet area use.

Several techniques exist for improving the slip resistance of polished concrete without sacrificing the polished appearance. Adjusting the final grit downward from 3000 to 1500 or 800 grit produces a slightly less reflective finish but a meaningfully higher slip resistance, particularly when wet. Choosing salt and pepper or full aggregate exposure rather than cream finish increases the surface texture and improves slip rating. Applying a slip resistant penetrating treatment as the final step adds microscopic texture to the polished surface that is essentially invisible under normal lighting but provides additional grip when wet. For wet area applications including bathrooms, laundries, and entrance lobbies, specifying a slip resistant guard system rather than a high gloss finish is often the appropriate compromise.

For commercial buildings subject to the Building Code of Australia and the National Construction Code, slip resistance is a specific compliance requirement rather than a discretionary specification. The Premises Standards under the Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010 require accessible paths of travel to meet specific slip resistance ratings, and a polished concrete floor in a commercial building must be tested and certified to the appropriate P rating before practical completion. Pendulum testing by an independent testing service is typically required at the end of the project and should be specified in the project brief from the outset. Independent slip testing services across NSW provide certified P rating reports that satisfy building certification and insurance requirements. The cost of post completion slip testing is modest, typically $400 to $1,200 for a residential or small commercial project, and is well worth budgeting for any high gloss polished concrete installation.

NSW Licensing and Building Code

Concrete polishing work valued above $5,000 in NSW falls under the Home Building Act 1989 framework administered by NSW Fair Trading. A licensed contractor is required and consumers benefit from the statutory protections of the Act including the six year warranty for major defects. Polishing contractors typically hold a structural landscaping or builder licence covering the concrete trades. Always verify the licence number on the public NSW Fair Trading licence check before signing a contract. Some specialist polishing contractors operate under a sole contractor licence rather than a builder licence, which is appropriate for sole trader operations but should be confirmed when the contractor is part of a larger building project.

Polished concrete in commercial buildings is subject to the Building Code of Australia and the National Construction Code in addition to the residential framework. Slip resistance compliance under AS 4586 is the most prominent commercial requirement, but other considerations include compliance with the BCA Volume One requirements for fire and smoke spread, accessibility provisions under the Premises Standards, and Workplace Health and Safety obligations during construction. Commercial polished concrete projects typically require a licensed builder as principal contractor with the polishing work performed under that head licence rather than direct contracting with the polishing specialist.

Heritage listed properties and buildings within heritage conservation areas across the inner west, eastern suburbs, North Shore, and parts of regional NSW have additional considerations for polished concrete installations, particularly where the polishing exposes existing concrete that contains historic decorative elements or where the visual outcome materially changes the character of the building interior. Heritage approvals where required can add two to twelve weeks to the project timeline depending on the complexity of the assessment. The Service NSW portal provides access to council planning information and the relevant Local Environmental Plan for any NSW property. For new build slabs that need polishing access integrated into the project staging, our concrete pumping guide covers the placement options for sites where direct truck access during the original pour is not feasible.

Polished Concrete Costs Across Sydney

Sydney pricing for polished concrete reflects the maturity and competitiveness of the metropolitan polishing market. Sydney has the largest concentration of specialist polishing contractors in Australia, the deepest pool of experienced operators, and the widest range of available equipment from entry level walk behind machines through to fully autonomous robotic polishers used on large warehouse and industrial slabs. This depth of market produces competitive pricing for medium and large jobs but smaller residential projects under 50 square metres can attract minimum charge premiums or be declined entirely by larger contractors who prefer warehouse and commercial scale work.

Sydney Region Residential 100m² Commercial 200m² Garage 30m²
Inner west / Eastern suburbs $15,800-$24,500 $28,000-$42,000 $3,400-$5,400
North Shore / Northern beaches $15,200-$23,800 $27,000-$40,000 $3,300-$5,200
Hills District / Hornsby $13,800-$21,500 $24,500-$36,000 $3,000-$4,800
Western Sydney / Parramatta $12,500-$19,800 $22,000-$33,000 $2,750-$4,400
South-west Sydney / Liverpool / Campbelltown $12,200-$19,400 $21,500-$32,500 $2,700-$4,300
Sutherland / St George $13,200-$20,800 $23,500-$35,000 $2,900-$4,600
Central Coast (Gosford / Wyong) $12,500-$19,800 $22,500-$33,500 $2,800-$4,400

Inner Sydney pricing for polished concrete is consistently 15 to 25 percent above western Sydney pricing for comparable work. Several factors drive this. Inner city residential renovations almost always involve polishing within an occupied or partially occupied building, requiring the higher dust control standards and tighter access management discussed earlier. Heritage conservation areas across Paddington, Surry Hills, Newtown, Glebe, and Balmain often involve existing concrete slabs in older buildings where the slab condition is poor and significant remediation is required before polishing can begin. Apartment work in inner Sydney involves additional logistics for equipment access through lifts, stairwells, and shared corridors, and floor protection in common areas. Western Sydney work, particularly in new build estates across Marsden Park, Schofields, North Kellyville, Catherine Field, and Oran Park, involves slabs poured to current specifications with simple access and minimal coordination overhead.

Commercial polished concrete in Sydney concentrates in three submarkets. The first is retail and hospitality fitouts in shopping centres and high street locations where polished concrete is the default flooring specification for both budget and design reasons. The second is commercial office fitouts where polished concrete pairs with exposed services architecture for a contemporary aesthetic. The third is warehouse and industrial slabs across the western Sydney logistics corridor where honed and polished concrete has largely replaced epoxy coatings as the preferred low maintenance industrial floor finish. Each submarket has its own typical project sizes, design specifications, and scheduling pressures. Our concrete driveway guide covers the related residential decorative finishes for outdoor concrete that pair well with polished interior floors.

Polished Concrete Costs in Regional NSW

Regional NSW pricing for polished concrete is generally 5 to 20 percent below Sydney pricing for comparable work. The discount is somewhat smaller than for plain concrete or exposed aggregate because polishing equipment is expensive, contractor specialisation is high, and many regional jobs involve travel time for the contractor that adds to the cost. Some regional centres have only one or two specialist polishing contractors serving a wide geographic area, and pricing in those zones may approach Sydney levels simply due to limited market competition. Residential polished concrete is also less common across rural and small town markets than in metropolitan areas, with some regional contractors focusing on industrial and commercial work where the per project values support the equipment investment.

Regional NSW Centre Residential 100m² Commercial 200m² Garage 30m²
Newcastle / Hunter Valley $11,500-$18,500 $20,500-$31,000 $2,600-$4,100
Wollongong / Illawarra $11,800-$19,000 $21,000-$31,500 $2,650-$4,200
Orange / Bathurst / Dubbo $11,000-$17,800 $19,500-$29,500 $2,500-$3,950
Tamworth / Armidale (New England) $10,800-$17,500 $19,000-$29,000 $2,450-$3,900
Wagga Wagga / Griffith (Riverina) $10,500-$17,200 $18,500-$28,500 $2,400-$3,850
Coffs Harbour / Port Macquarie $11,200-$18,200 $20,000-$30,000 $2,550-$4,000
Lismore / Ballina / Byron Bay $12,000-$19,500 $21,500-$32,500 $2,750-$4,300

The Northern Rivers region around Lismore, Ballina, and Byron Bay shows pricing approaching Sydney metropolitan levels. The region has high demand for premium residential finishes from the strong owner occupier construction market and limited specialist contractor capacity to meet that demand. Coastal exposure also drives concrete grade upgrades from 25 to 32 MPa, which is favourable for polishing because higher strength concrete polishes more cleanly and develops better gloss with the same grit progression. Sloped sites are common across the Northern Rivers and influence the broader project scope when polished concrete is part of a larger renovation or new build, particularly where the slab needs to be levelled or stepped to achieve a flat polishing surface.

Inland regional NSW centres including Dubbo, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, and Albury offer the most affordable polished concrete pricing in the state. Local concreters and polishing contractors deliver residential and commercial polished work below metropolitan rates because the cost base is lower and site conditions are typically straightforward. The main constraint is contractor availability, with some regions having limited specialist capacity that can be booked out for several months during peak periods. Planning the project well ahead of the desired start date and being flexible on timing are useful strategies for securing both the right contractor and the best price in regional NSW. For new build residential projects in regional areas, our concrete slab guide covers slab specification and pour scheduling that supports a polished finish.

What to Look For in a Polished Concrete Quote

A quality polished concrete quote in NSW is a detailed multi page document specifying the slab area, the existing or new slab type, the desired aggregate exposure level, the grit progression with each pass identified individually, the densifier brand and chemistry, the sealer or guard system, and the inclusions and exclusions for crack and joint repair, coating removal, dust control, and post completion testing. A quote that describes the finish only as semi gloss polished concrete with a single line item price is incomplete and should be returned for itemisation before any meaningful comparison is possible. Multiple quotes presented in directly comparable form are far easier to evaluate than three quotes in three different formats.

Reference checks are particularly valuable for polished concrete because the gap between an excellent and a mediocre polish is largely invisible in photographs but very clear in person. Ask each prospective contractor for the addresses of three to five recent projects that you can visit during business hours. Look at the gloss consistency across the floor, the absence of grinder swirl marks, the joint and crack treatment, and the appearance of the floor in different lighting conditions. Ask about the age of the floors you are inspecting because the most useful test of polishing quality is how the floor still looks two or three years after installation rather than on day one. Contractors who have multiple aged floors they are happy to show are demonstrating confidence in their work that is worth noting. The NSW Fair Trading licence check is a parallel non negotiable step.

Payment terms must comply with the Home Building Act 1989. The maximum deposit is 10 percent for contracts above $20,000 and 20 percent for contracts below that threshold, with progress payments tied to defined work stages. Slip resistance testing should be specified as a project deliverable for any polished concrete installation in a wet area or commercial setting, with the test performed by an independent testing service rather than the polishing contractor themselves. The contract should include the densifier and sealer manufacturer warranties (typically 5 to 15 years for the densified surface and 1 to 5 years for any topical guard), the contractor's six year statutory workmanship warranty under the Home Building Act, and a clear process for raising defects during the warranty period. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission publishes guidance on residential building contracts and consumer rights that applies to polished concrete work.

Cleaning and Ongoing Care

Polished concrete is one of the lowest maintenance hard floor finishes available, but it benefits enormously from correct cleaning practices and is materially harmed by incorrect ones. The standard daily and weekly maintenance regime is straightforward. Sweep or vacuum to remove grit and abrasive particles before they can scratch the surface under foot traffic. Damp mop with a pH neutral floor cleaner appropriate for polished concrete, applied as recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid acidic cleaners including vinegar, lemon based products, and many bathroom and kitchen cleaners which etch the polished surface and remove gloss. Avoid abrasive scouring pads and metal bristled brushes which scratch the surface. Wipe spills promptly to prevent staining penetration into the densified but still slightly porous surface.

Periodic refresh treatments extend the life and appearance of a polished floor. A guard reapplication every two to five years restores the stain resistance of the topical guard system if one is in place. A burnish using a high speed buffing machine with a polishing pad refreshes the gloss of the surface every six to twelve months in commercial settings or every two to three years in residential. Where the floor has accumulated visible scratches, scuff marks, or general wear over five to ten years of service, a partial repolish is possible without redoing the entire grit progression. A typical refresh repolish is a 1500 to 3000 grit pass on the existing densified surface, which restores the gloss to near original condition for a fraction of the cost of a full polishing project.

Localised damage including chips, deep scratches, and stain penetration can be repaired by skilled polishing contractors. The repair process typically involves grinding the damaged area, applying additional densifier, polishing through the grit progression to match the surrounding floor, and blending the visual transition. Match consistency for these repairs is variable and depends heavily on the original floor specification and how aged the existing finish is at the time of repair. For floors that have weathered significantly or where the polished surface has been damaged beyond cosmetic repair, our concrete resurfacing guide covers overlay options that allow a new polished finish to be applied over the existing slab. Where the underlying slab has reached the end of its useful life and replacement is the more economic long term path, our concrete removal guide covers the demolition options and disposal logistics for indoor slab replacement. Post your polished concrete project on The Quote Yard to connect with licensed NSW concrete polishers for residential floors, retail and hospitality fitouts, warehouse and industrial slabs, garage floors, and commercial polished concrete projects across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, the Hunter, and regional New South Wales.

Polished Concrete Services Across NSW

We connect you with licensed NSW concrete polishers across Greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, the Hunter Valley, the Illawarra, and regional New South Wales for residential floors, retail and hospitality fitouts, warehouse and industrial slabs, garage floors, and commercial polished concrete.

▶ Sydney Inner City 18 areas
Sydney CBD Surry Hills Darlinghurst Potts Point Paddington Redfern Newtown Glebe Balmain Pyrmont Ultimo Chippendale Alexandria Waterloo Zetland Erskineville Rozelle Leichhardt
▶ Greater Sydney 25 areas

Western Sydney

Parramatta Penrith Blacktown Mount Druitt Seven Hills Wetherill Park Auburn Fairfield Cabramatta St Marys

South Western Sydney

Liverpool Campbelltown Bankstown Revesby

Northern Sydney

Hornsby Chatswood Epping Macquarie Park Eastwood

The Hills District

Castle Hill Baulkham Hills

Inner West

Ryde Strathfield Burwood

St George

Hurstville Kogarah
▶ Sydney Coastal 23 areas

Northern Beaches

Manly Dee Why Curl Curl Freshwater Brookvale Collaroy Narrabeen Mona Vale Newport Avalon Palm Beach

Eastern Suburbs

Bondi Tamarama Bronte Coogee Maroubra Randwick

Harbour Suburbs

Double Bay Rose Bay Watsons Bay

Sutherland Shire

Cronulla Miranda Sutherland
▶ Hunter & Central Coast 19 areas

Central Coast

Gosford Terrigal Wyong The Entrance Tuggerah Erina Woy Woy

Hunter Valley

Newcastle Maitland Lake Macquarie Charlestown Belmont Raymond Terrace Cessnock Singleton Muswellbrook

Port Stephens

Nelson Bay Salamander Bay Shoal Bay
▶ Illawarra & South Coast 18 areas

Illawarra

Wollongong Shellharbour Kiama Dapto Corrimal Thirroul Gerringong

Shoalhaven

Nowra Berry Ulladulla Huskisson Vincentia

Sapphire Coast

Batemans Bay Moruya Narooma Bega Merimbula Eden
▶ North Coast 19 areas

Mid North Coast

Port Macquarie Forster Taree Kempsey Laurieton

Coffs Coast

Coffs Harbour Bellingen Sawtell Grafton Yamba

Northern Rivers

Byron Bay Tweed Heads Ballina Lismore Bangalow Lennox Head Brunswick Heads Mullumbimby
▶ Blue Mountains & Highlands 17 areas

Blue Mountains

Katoomba Leura Wentworth Falls Blackheath Springwood Hazelbrook Glenbrook Faulconbridge Lawson Blaxland Lithgow

Southern Highlands

Bowral Moss Vale Mittagong Bundanoon Robertson Berrima
▶ Regional NSW 21 areas

Central West

Orange Bathurst Dubbo Mudgee Parkes Forbes Cowra Young

Riverina

Wagga Wagga Albury Griffith Leeton Goulburn Queanbeyan

New England

Tamworth Armidale Inverell Moree Narrabri

Far West

Broken Hill Cobar

Polished Concrete FAQs - NSW

How much does polished concrete cost in NSW?
Polished concrete in NSW in 2026 ranges from $60 to $120 per square metre for a honed industrial finish, $100 to $160 for a standard 800 grit polish on an existing slab, $140 to $220 for high gloss work to 1500 or 3000 grit, and $180 to $280 for a new slab with full polish system. Premium full aggregate exposure with 3000 grit polish reaches $220 to $320 per square metre. A 100 square metre Sydney residential floor typically falls between $14,000 and $24,000 fully completed, with inner Sydney pricing 15 to 25 percent above western Sydney for the same scope.
How long does polished concrete take to complete?
A typical 100 square metre residential polished concrete project takes five to ten working days to complete depending on the polish level, condition of the slab, and access constraints. Day one to two covers site preparation, coating removal, and crack repair on an existing slab. Day two to three is the initial coarse grinding and aggregate exposure. Day three to five involves the progressive grit transitions, densifier application, and intermediate grinding. Day five to ten covers the fine polishing through 800 to 3000 grit, sealer or guard application, and final clean down. New build slabs require an additional 28 days curing before polishing can begin.
What is the difference between polished and honed concrete?
Polished concrete is ground through multiple progressive grit levels (typically up to 800, 1500, or 3000 grit) with chemical densifier applied during the process, producing a hard, dense surface with measurable gloss. Honed concrete stops at 200 to 400 grit, producing a matte or satin appearance without the gloss of a polished finish. Honed work is faster and cheaper than polished and is commonly specified for industrial floors, garages, and warehouse applications where gloss is not required. Polished work is the standard for residential, retail, hospitality, and showroom applications where appearance matters.
Is polished concrete slip resistant?
Slip resistance depends on the final grit, the aggregate exposure level, and any slip resistance treatment applied. A high gloss 3000 grit polished floor without specific slip treatment may rate as low as P0 or P1 when wet, well below the threshold for safe wet area use. Reducing the final grit to 1500 or 800, choosing salt and pepper or full aggregate exposure rather than cream finish, and applying a slip resistant penetrating treatment all improve the slip rating. For wet area applications including bathrooms, laundries, and entrance lobbies, specifying a slip resistant guard system is the appropriate compromise. Independent slip testing under AS 4586 is recommended for any commercial polished installation.
What aggregate exposure should I choose?
Cream finish exposes only cement paste and produces a uniform colour but reveals any pour or finishing flaws. Salt and pepper finish exposes the upper layer of fine aggregate and is the most popular residential specification, balancing visual interest, defect tolerance, and cost. Full aggregate exposure grinds 4 to 8 millimetres into the slab to reveal the large stones and produces a dramatic terrazzo style finish suited to retail, commercial, and statement residential projects. Each level requires different slab pour decisions and different initial grinding depths, with cream finish the cheapest and full aggregate the most expensive option.
Can I polish my existing concrete slab?
Most existing concrete slabs can be polished, but the existing slab condition strongly affects both the achievable result and the cost. The slab must be assessed for flatness, cracks, settled joints, surface coatings, and embedded contamination before any meaningful quote can be provided. Older slabs with low surface hardness, embedded oil contamination, or extensive cracking may require significant remediation before polishing can proceed. A site visit and assessment by the polishing contractor before quote finalisation is essential for any existing slab project. Where the existing slab is in poor condition, a polished overlay system is often the better option than direct polishing.
How is dust controlled during polishing in occupied buildings?
Modern polishing equipment from Husqvarna, Klindex, HTC, and Diamatic is designed for use with HEPA filtered industrial vacuums connected directly to the grinding heads, capturing the great majority of crystalline silica dust at source. For occupied buildings, additional measures include plastic containment walls and zip doors around the work area, negative air pressure using HEPA filtered exhaust fans, protection of adjacent flooring and fittings with plastic sheeting, and HVAC isolation. SafeWork NSW regulations under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 mandate effective dust control for crystalline silica and any contractor not using vacuum integrated equipment is operating outside current best practice.
How do I clean and maintain a polished concrete floor?
Daily and weekly maintenance is straightforward: sweep or vacuum to remove grit, then damp mop with a pH neutral cleaner appropriate for polished concrete. Avoid acidic cleaners including vinegar and many bathroom products which etch the surface and remove gloss. Avoid abrasive scouring pads and metal bristled brushes. Wipe spills promptly. Periodic refresh treatments include guard reapplication every two to five years and burnishing with a high speed buffer every six to twelve months in commercial settings. Major refresh polishing every five to ten years restores the original gloss and is significantly cheaper than a full repolish.
Does polished concrete need a licensed contractor in NSW?
Yes. Polishing work valued above $5,000 in NSW must be performed by a contractor holding a current building licence under the Home Building Act 1989, administered by NSW Fair Trading. The relevant licence categories are structural landscaping or builder. Always verify the licence number on the public NSW Fair Trading licence check before signing a contract. An unlicensed contractor working on a job above the threshold removes most of your statutory consumer protections including the six year warranty for major defects under the Act.
What concrete strength is needed for a polished slab?
A new slab specifically designed for polishing is typically specified at 32 MPa rather than the 25 MPa standard residential mix, with a low water cement ratio for surface hardness. Higher strength concrete polishes more cleanly, develops better gloss with the same grit progression, and is more durable in service. The maximum aggregate size is selected to suit the desired exposure level: 10 to 14 millimetre aggregate for cream and salt and pepper finishes, 20 millimetre aggregate for full aggregate exposure. Curing protocols are also critical, with a curing compound applied immediately after finishing to prevent surface drying that can compromise polishing quality.

More Concreting Guides - NSW

Tradies - Find Concreting Work in Australia

Concreters and related construction tradies across Australia can connect with homeowners and commercial clients through The Quote Yard. Browse job leads posted to the platform by customers.

Need Polished Concrete in NSW?

Post your job and connect with licensed NSW concrete polishers for residential floors, retail and hospitality fitouts, warehouse slabs, garage floors, and commercial polished concrete across Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast, and regional NSW.

Get Concreting Quotes

Reviewed by The Quote Yard Editorial Team

Published 28 April 2026 ·

How The Quote Yard Works

We connect you with independent local tradies and service providers, we don't perform any trade work ourselves. Tradies provide their own quotes directly to you. Always confirm licensing, insurance, and scope of work before engaging any provider.

All NSW tradies are required to hold appropriate licences. Verify at NSW Fair Trading.
Prices are estimates based on typical NSW market rates and may vary by polish level, aggregate exposure, slab condition, site access, and location. Always obtain a fully itemised written quote specifying the grit progression and densifier system from a licensed concreter or polishing specialist, and verify the licence through NSW Fair Trading.
Need work done? Get free quotes. Post a Job – It's Free