Concrete driveway questions answered for Frankston

There is no honest national figure, because the job is decided by what is under the surface and how accessible your block is. Removal of the old driveway, base depth, slab thickness, finish and crossover work all change it. We quote each Frankston driveway after measuring it.

Victorian driveways vary as much as the ground does. A sandy Seaford block and a steep Mount Eliza block need different preparation. A free site visit gives you a written figure for your driveway rather than a state average.

Averages mix tiny single driveways with long double ones, plain finishes with decorative ones, and easy sites with hard ones. Your driveway's size, finish, demolition and crossover decide the real number, so we price it in writing after a visit.

Standard grey concrete textured with a broom costs least of all concrete driveway types, and it is still strong and grippy. Saving on the base, steel or thickness is the false economy; that is what makes driveways crack early.

Twenty-five square metres is a small pour, so delivery minimums, set-up and any removal make up a bigger share of the job. Combining it with a crossover, a path or a parking pad often makes the visit better value. We quote it after seeing the site.

That comes down to which paver you pick and how much base work the site requires. Both need proper excavation and compacted rock. Concrete usually needs less ongoing attention because there are no joints for weeds or sinking pavers, which is why many Frankston owners choose it.

Loose stone costs less upfront yet needs topping up and raking, washes out on slopes and tracks stones into the house and garage. Concrete costs more at the start and far less in upkeep. On steep Frankston South and Mount Eliza blocks gravel often struggles.

Uncontrolled cracks where saw cuts were skipped or cut too late, sinking over soft or poorly compacted ground, water ponding at the garage, edges breaking where they were left unsupported, and finishes wearing because the sealer was skipped. Good preparation and planning prevent most of them.

The stone mix, area, removal, base, access and sealing all count. We quote exposed aggregate after a visit and can price a plain or coloured option alongside it so you can compare the difference properly.

No. Exposed aggregate is concrete with decorative stone and an extra washing step, so it normally costs more than a plain finish. Many owners think the grip and the way it hides marks are worth it.

Bare feet notice the rough texture, leaf litter lodges between stones, you are locked into the stone colour for good, and periodic resealing is needed to keep it vibrant. Patches after a trench or crack are hard to match.

Published figures rarely match a real Frankston job, because demolition, base depth, stone choice and access shift it. We would rather inspect and give you a written price that holds.

Colour is added at the plant, so it adds to the concrete order, and darker or premium shades add more. The rest of the job is the same as a plain driveway. We price your chosen shade after the visit.

Yes, a little. The oxide pigment costs extra and colour should be sealed to keep it looking even. It is still usually less than exposed aggregate or stamped finishes.

Yes. Charcoal, slate, sandstone, terracotta and many other shades are mixed right through the concrete. A broom texture keeps it grippy, and borders in a contrasting shade are popular.

Middle-tone greys and charcoal are most forgiving of rubber marks and grime. Very light colours show oil; very dark ones get hot in summer and can show efflorescence. Choose a shade that suits your roof and cladding, and look at a cured sample in daylight first.

Once sealed it may turn slick in rain, it needs resealing every couple of years to keep its colour, and repairs are hard to hide. Anti-slip additive in the sealer and well-planned joints reduce those issues.

No. The stamping process brings colour hardener, release agent, extra labour and sealing on top of a normal pour, so it costs more than plain concrete. It is often compared with pavers rather than plain concrete.

Sometimes. A thin bonded aggregate topping or a resurfacing coat can go over a sound, stable slab. If the existing driveway is cracked through, sinking or lifting, the problem will return, and replacement is the better choice.

Yes. Work on the nature strip, footpath and kerb needs a vehicle crossing permit from Frankston City Council, or from Mornington Peninsula Shire or Kingston in their areas. We prepare and lodge it for you.

Never. Measuring up and the written quote cost you nothing.