How Much Does Polished Concrete Cost in Wollongong? (2025 Price Guide)
May 2025 · 6 min read · by Gary, Flash Flooring
Polished concrete pricing in Wollongong isn’t complicated — but most people get quoted wildly different numbers and have no idea why. This guide breaks down what you’re actually paying for, what moves the price up or down, and what a legitimate quote looks like versus a cheap one that’ll cost you more later.
Quick answer — 2025 price ranges
- Matte / Satin finishFrom $55/m²
- Semi-Gloss finishFrom $70/m²
- High-Gloss / Mirror finishFrom $90/m²
Prices per square metre, supply and install, all passes included. Exact price subject to on-site assessment.
Price breakdown by finish level
Matte / Satin
Up to 800 grit
Ground and refined to a low-sheen or subtle satin finish. The most affordable option. Looks contemporary and understated — suits industrial, minimalist and coastal-style interiors. No visible reflection.
Semi-Gloss
800–1,500 grit
Clear reflections start to appear. The floor begins to mirror the room. Popular in showrooms, retail and upscale residential. The most common choice for homes wanting a premium look without going full mirror.
High-Gloss / Mirror
3,000+ grit
Maximum clarity and depth. Full mirror reflection. The slab needs to be in good condition — imperfections become more visible at this level. Best for architectural spaces, luxury homes and commercial feature floors.
What’s included in the price
A legitimate polished concrete quote includes every step — not a cherry-picked selection of the easy ones. Here’s what should be included:
- Coarse diamond grinding — removes the surface layer, levels high spots, opens the slab
- Crack and void repair — epoxy filler at the appropriate stage of the grind sequence
- Chemical densifier application — reacts with the concrete to harden the surface from the inside out
- Progressive polishing through all required grit levels to your chosen finish
- Penetrating sealer and guard coat — stain protection and anti-slip additive on residential jobs
- Site cleanup and dust management throughout
What affects the price
Gloss level
Each step up in sheen requires more diamond tooling passes. A mirror-gloss finish takes significantly more time and consumables than a matte — that's reflected in the price.
Slab condition
Old coatings, major cracks, significant unevenness or contamination (oil, paint, glue from previous flooring) all require more work before polishing can begin. A slab in good condition costs less to polish.
Area size
Larger jobs come down in per-m² cost. The machinery and setup time are fixed costs — they don't scale proportionally with size. A 200m² commercial floor will cost less per m² than a 30m² kitchen.
Aggregate exposure
Exposing the aggregate (stones within the slab) for a terrazzo-style look requires deeper grinding. This adds time and cost but creates a genuinely unique finish.
Colour dyes
Reactive or acetone dyes can be applied to create custom colour effects in the concrete. This adds to the cost but allows for a completely custom result.
⚠ Why cheap quotes exist and what they cost you
The polished concrete industry has no shortage of operators who skip steps. The most common shortcuts: not running through the full grit sequence (stopping early, leaving visible scratches in the concrete), skipping the densifier application, or using a surface sealer instead of a penetrating guard.
A floor that’s been polished too quickly won’t hold its sheen. Within a few years it looks dull, patchy and worn. Fixing it means grinding it back and starting over — which costs more than getting it right the first time. Ask any contractor you quote for specifics on their grit sequence and densifier. If they can’t answer clearly, that’s your answer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does polished concrete cost per square metre in Wollongong?
Polished concrete in Wollongong starts from around $55/m² for a matte or satin finish. Semi-gloss runs $70–85/m², and a high-gloss mirror finish is typically $85–120/m² depending on slab condition and finish requirements. These prices include all grinding, densifying, polishing passes and sealing.
Is there a minimum job size for polished concrete?
Most polished concrete contractors — including us — have a minimum charge. Small areas (under 20m²) often cost more per square metre because the setup, machinery transport and time don't scale down proportionally. For very small areas, tiles or epoxy may be more cost-effective.
Does polished concrete increase property value?
Generally yes — polished concrete is seen as a premium finish in both residential and commercial real estate. It's durable, timeless and appeals to buyers who want low-maintenance flooring. A quality polished concrete floor in a kitchen or open-plan living area is a selling point, not a liability.
How long does polished concrete take to install?
For a typical residential area of 50–80m², expect 2–3 days. Day one is coarse grinding and crack repair. Day two is densifying and progressive polishing. Day three (if required) is final polishing passes and sealing. The floor is ready for light foot traffic within 24 hours of sealing.
Does my slab need to be new concrete for polishing?
No — we regularly polish existing slabs in homes built 20, 30, even 50 years ago. The slab does need to be structurally sound and free of major voids. Gary assesses this during the free on-site quote. Most existing residential slabs in the Illawarra are polishable.
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