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Concrete driveways and paver driveways have similar 25-year total costs in Perth, but very different cost profiles, maintenance schedules, and look. Concrete is $95-$220/m² installed with low maintenance. Pavers are $110-$220/m² installed with regular reset/rejoint work. Concrete wins for premium look and zero maintenance. Pavers win for repairability and existing-driveway integration.
Key Highlights
- ›Concrete driveway: $95-$220/m² installed in Perth (2026)
- ›Paver driveway: $110-$220/m² installed (concrete pavers / clay)
- ›Concrete needs 0 maintenance once poured (plain) or reseal every 3 yrs (exposed agg)
- ›Pavers need rejointing + occasional reset every 5-8 years
- ›Concrete lasts 25-30 years · Pavers last 30-40 years (with maintenance)
- ›Repair: pavers can be lifted and replaced individually; concrete requires section-cut + repour
Concrete or pavers? It's a fair comparison, both are good options for a Perth driveway and the right answer depends on the block, your budget, and how hands-on you want to be with maintenance.
We pour concrete (it's the brief), but we'll be honest about when pavers might be the right call.
Side-by-side cost + lifespan
| Factor | Concrete (plain) | Concrete (exposed agg) | Concrete pavers | Clay pavers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² 2026 | $95-$145 | $150-$220 | $110-$170 | $160-$220 |
| Lifespan | 20-25 yrs | 25-30 yrs | 30-40 yrs | 40+ yrs |
| Maintenance | None | Reseal every 3 yrs | Rejoint every 5-8 yrs | Rejoint every 5-8 yrs |
| Repair | Section cut + repour | Section cut + repour | Lift + replace pavers | Lift + replace pavers |
| Look | Functional, grey | Premium textured | Modern, modular | Heritage / classic |
| Heat in summer | Hot (dark) | Moderate | Hot to moderate | Hot |
When concrete wins
- You want zero ongoing maintenance
- Sloped driveway, concrete handles falls cleanly, pavers can shift on slopes
- Long uninterrupted runs (15m+) where paver settling becomes obvious
- Modern home where the seamless-slab look fits the architecture
- Tight budget, plain concrete is the cheapest durable driveway you can buy
When pavers win
- Existing paver-themed front yard / paths and you want continuity
- Service-access driveway where you might need to lift a section to fix a pipe
- Heritage home where pavers fit the era better than poured concrete
- DIY-leaning owner who's happy to rejoint every 5-8 years
- Want the option to extend or modify the layout later, pavers are easier to add to
Pavers shift on Perth's sandy soil
If pavers are laid on a poorly-prepped sandy base, they'll dip and rise within 18 months. The base prep matters as much as the paver choice. Same as concrete.
Total cost over 25 years
Headline price isn't the whole story. Maintenance over 25 years can flip the cost comparison.
| Surface | Initial install | 25-year maintenance | Total 25-yr cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete | $95-$145/m² | $0 | $95-$145/m² |
| Exposed agg | $150-$220/m² | ~$56/m² (8 reseals) | $206-$276/m² |
| Concrete pavers | $110-$170/m² | ~$80/m² (3 rejoints) | $190-$250/m² |
| Clay pavers | $160-$220/m² | ~$80/m² (3 rejoints) | $240-$300/m² |
Indicative 25-year total cost per m² assuming standard maintenance schedule.
“Plain concrete is the cheapest driveway over 25 years. Exposed aggregate trades higher running cost for premium looks. Pavers sit in the middle.”
