Concrete paths and patios in St George
Updated October 2026
A new path or patio is a smaller pour than a driveway, but it changes how you use your yard every day. A new front path for a federation cottage in Penshurst, an alfresco slab behind a Mortdale duplex, a pool surround in Blakehurst. We connect you with experienced, insured local concreters who handle these jobs across St George. We are a referral service, not a concreting business, which means you can compare quotes instead of guessing.
What paths and patios cost
Guide pricing only. Published 2026 Australian rates for plain concrete sit around $75 to $150 per square metre laid, with coloured concrete around $95 to $200 and exposed aggregate around $120 to $220. Sydney sits toward the upper end. Small jobs often land above the headline per metre rates because the truck, crew and setup cost the same whether they pour 8 square metres or 80. Some contractors have a minimum job charge for this reason. Get a fast quote to price your job properly.
Common jobs we refer
- Side paths and front paths
- Patios and alfresco slabs
- Pool surrounds and coping surrounds
- Steps and landings on sloping blocks
- Clothesline, bin and barbecue pads
- Paths linking a granny flat or studio
How a path or patio is built
1. Excavation and removal of lawn, pavers or old concrete
2. Compacted road base
3. Formwork set with a slight fall away from the house for drainage
4. Steel mesh reinforcement
5. The pour and your chosen finish
6. Curing and control joints
Paths are commonly 75mm to 100mm thick. Patios that might one day carry a spa or heavy outdoor kitchen are worth pouring thicker, so mention future plans when you get quotes. Keep foot traffic off for a day or two and let the slab cure properly before loading it.
Finish options
Broom-finish grey is the budget choice and gives good grip. Coloured concrete ties the patio into the house palette, and muted tones suit the older brick homes common across St George. Exposed aggregate is the favourite around pools because the stone texture grips wet bare feet. A steel trowel finish looks sleek under cover but is slippery wet, so keep it for protected alfresco areas rather than open paths.
Local conditions to plan for
- Steep river-side blocks in Oatley, Lugarno and Connells Point often need a pump or barrowing for backyard pours, which adds cost.
- Salt air along the Botany Bay foreshore favours sealed finishes and good concrete cover over steel.
- Mature street and garden trees in older suburbs like Bexley, Kogarah and Penshurst lift paths over time, so root barriers or rerouting are worth discussing.
- Shaded side paths between closely spaced houses stay damp and grow moss, so a broom or aggregate texture is safer than a smooth finish.
Approvals and licensing
Paths and patios at ground level usually fall under exempt development, but drainage, easements and proximity to sewer mains can complicate things, so check with your council if you are unsure. In NSW, residential building work worth more than $5,000 (labour and materials, including GST) must be done by a licensed contractor, and a large patio with excavation can cross that line. Ask for the licence number and check it before you sign.
Weather and timing
Small pours are easier to schedule around weather than driveways, but the same rules apply. Rain on pour day moves the job, and summer pours start early. Winter pours cure slower, so give the slab extra time before loading it.
Lifespan
A well built path or patio should last 25 to 40 years or more. The usual failure points are tree roots lifting sections and poorly compacted bases sinking. If an existing path has already moved, our concrete repairs page covers grinding, relevelling and replacement options.
Ready to get your path or patio priced? Get a fast quote and compare local concreters.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a small path so expensive per square metre?
Fixed costs. The concrete truck, the crew and the setup cost roughly the same for a small pour as a big one, so the per metre rate rises as the job shrinks. Bundling the path with a driveway or patio pour usually gets a better overall price.
What is the best finish around a pool?
Exposed aggregate is a popular choice because the stone texture grips wet feet. Lighter colours also stay cooler in summer sun.
Do I need council approval for a patio slab?
A ground-level slab is often exempt development, but limits apply and easements or sewer mains can change the answer. Check with your council or a private certifier before you pour.
Can a new path be poured against the house?
Yes, but it must finish below weep holes and damp course, with fall away from the wall. This matters on older brick homes, where a path poured too high can push damp into the walls.