Polishing an existing concrete floor transforms a dull surface into a sleek, durable finish. The cost to polish existing concrete floors varies significantly based on condition, desired shine level, and floor size.
At superfloor australia, we’ve helped countless property owners understand what they’ll actually spend on this upgrade. This guide breaks down labour, materials, and hidden costs so you can budget accurately.
How Polishing and Honing Work on Existing Concrete
Polishing existing concrete removes the top layer of the slab to expose fresh material beneath. The equipment uses diamond-embedded pads that start coarse and progressively get finer, similar to how sandpaper grades work from rough to smooth. A standard polishing job moves through 30-grit diamond pads initially to strip away coatings or damaged surfaces, then progresses through 70/80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, and finally 3000-grit pads to achieve the desired shine. Professionals typically make 12 to 18 passes across the floor depending on the finish level you want. The concrete itself must have a minimum strength of 32 megapascals to handle this process without crumbling or deteriorating. Dry polishing stands as the industry standard because it finishes faster and avoids the environmental issues wet methods create. Between grit progressions, a chemical densifier gets applied to harden the concrete surface and improve its resistance to moisture and wear. This densifier needs 24 to 48 hours to cure before the next polishing stage begins.
Three Finish Options and Their Price Points
Grind and seal represents the most affordable approach at around $50 to $70 per square metre. This method grinds the surface smooth then applies a protective coating that lasts 5 to 10 years before needing refinishing. Honed concrete sits in the middle at $75 to $100 per square metre, creating a smooth, matte appearance that reveals the concrete’s natural aggregates without the high gloss. Mechanically polished concrete commands $100 to $180 or more per square metre because it produces a mirror-like finish that requires extra labour and more diamond passes.
How Gloss Level Impacts Your Budget
The gloss level you select drives 60 to 70 per cent of your total project cost, so choosing between matte, satin, and high-gloss makes a massive difference to your budget. A high-gloss finish adds roughly $30 to $40 per square metre compared to a matte option. This cost difference reflects the additional labour required and the extra diamond passes needed to achieve that reflective surface.
Removing Old Coatings Adds Time and Cost
If you’re renovating an existing floor with old coatings or paint, removal requires aggressive 16 to 30-grit diamond work and adds 2 to 4 hours to the timeline. This preparation stage can push costs up significantly depending on what sits on top of your concrete. For existing concrete that’s already in decent shape, honed finishes often make more sense financially than full mechanical polishing because you get a professional appearance without paying premium prices for mirror-gloss results. Understanding your current floor’s condition and what finish truly suits your space sets the stage for accurate cost estimates-which brings us to the specific labour and material expenses that make up your total investment.
Cost Breakdown for Concrete Polishing Projects
Labour represents the largest expense in any polishing project. In Brisbane, operators charge around $45 to $65 per hour, which translates to labour costs ranging from $2 to $6 per square foot depending on complexity and floor condition. For a 200 square metre space, you’ll spend roughly $18,000 to $24,000 in labour alone if the floor requires minimal prep work. Equipment rental adds another layer-professional grinders cost $180 to $250 per day, and dust collection systems run $80 to $120 daily. Setup and breakdown consume 2 to 3 hours per project, so even small jobs incur meaningful equipment charges.
Material Costs Shape Your Investment
Material costs account for 30 to 40 per cent of your total investment. Diamond-embedded pads for initial coarse removal cost $12 to $18 per square metre, while the finer 3000-grit wheels needed for finishing run $6 to $10 per square metre.
Chemical densifiers typically cost $3 to $5 per square metre and strengthen the surface between polishing passes. Sealers vary by type-film-based options cost $4 to $8 per square metre while penetrating sealers run $8 to $12 per square metre, though penetrating sealers last considerably longer and don’t alter the floor’s appearance.
Surface Preparation Determines Your True Bottom Line
Concrete condition drives prep costs more than any other factor, and this is where most projects exceed initial budgets. Crack repairs cost $25 to $40 per linear metre and require 24 to 48 hours of curing before polishing resumes, so a floor with multiple cracks adds several days and thousands of dollars to your timeline. Removing existing coatings, paint, or epoxy requires aggressive 16 to 30-grit diamond work and adds $15 to $25 per square metre to your base price. Oil stains and other surface contaminants demand additional passes and specialised cleaning agents, further inflating preparation costs. Old flooring removal typically costs $3 to $5 per square metre if vinyl or tiles sit atop your concrete. For a 150 square metre commercial space with moderate staining and minor cracks, expect prep work alone to add $2,250 to $3,750 to your final bill.
Project Size Creates Dramatic Price Variations
Spaces under 50 square metres cost $75 to $100 per square metre due to setup overhead and detailed edge work, while projects exceeding 500 square metres drop to $40 to $55 per square metre thanks to economies of scale. A 50 square metre residential kitchen renovation might cost $3,750 to $5,000 total, whereas a 500 square metre warehouse polishing project could range from $20,000 to $27,500 despite the lower per-metre rate. Generator hire adds $250 daily or $1,000 weekly if your site lacks 3-phase power-another hidden cost worth confirming during your site assessment.
Hidden Expenses That Impact Your Budget
Multiple small rooms incur extra hand-finishing charges that larger open spaces avoid. Tile and adhesive removal, vinyl stripping, or epoxy work each carry separate pricing implications depending on what currently covers your concrete. These variables mean two identical-sized floors can cost dramatically different amounts based on what sits on top and what condition the concrete underneath actually presents. Understanding these hidden expenses helps you prepare realistic budgets before contractors arrive for assessments.
What Really Drives Your Polishing Costs
The condition of your existing concrete represents the single biggest cost wildcard. Most property owners underestimate how much prep work their slab actually needs. Concrete that looks reasonably clean on the surface often hides cracks, moisture issues, or previous coating residue that demands aggressive removal. A floor with multiple cracks requires $25 to $40 per linear metre in repair costs alone, and each crack needs 24 to 48 hours to cure before polishing can resume-turning a three-day project into a five-day one. Oil stains, old epoxy, or paint coatings add $15 to $25 per square metre to your base price because they demand extra passes with coarse diamond pads.
Damaged areas can literally double your preparation time, which means labour costs spike dramatically. One 100 square metre industrial floor with moderate oil staining and three cracks spanning 15 metres total costs $1,500 to $2,500 just in prep work before any actual polishing starts. Cheap initial quotes often explode once contractors actually see what sits underneath existing coatings or damaged sections.
Finish Selection Controls 60 to 70 Per Cent of Your Total Cost
Your chosen finish level determines whether you spend $50 or $180 per square metre, making this decision far more impactful than floor size. Grind and seal runs $50 to $70 per square metre because it requires fewer diamond passes and a protective coating rather than multiple polishing stages. Honed concrete finishing costs around $75 per square metre and offers better durability through penetrating sealers. High-gloss mechanically polished finishes demand $100 to $180 or higher per square metre due to extra diamond passes through progressively finer grits and additional labour hours. The gloss level itself adds roughly $30 to $40 per square metre compared to matte finishes. For existing floors, honed finishes make financial sense because you achieve a premium appearance without paying for mirror-gloss results that require significantly more skilled labour. A 200 square metre commercial space that selects honed instead of high-gloss polished saves approximately $5,000 to $8,000 while still delivering a sophisticated, durable finish.
Project Scale Creates Dramatic Pricing Advantages
Floors under 50 square metres cost $75 to $100 per square metre because setup overhead and detailed edge work consume disproportionate time. A 30 square metre kitchen renovation might cost $2,250 to $3,000 despite being relatively small. Once you exceed 500 square metres, economies of scale in concrete polishing kick in and per-metre costs drop because equipment setup and breakdown become negligible relative to the total work area. A 600 square metre warehouse project costs significantly less per square metre than a 50 square metre office, even though the total dollar amount is higher. Multiple small rooms scattered throughout a building trigger additional hand-finishing charges that large open spaces avoid, so a property with ten separate 15-square-metre rooms costs considerably more than a single 150-square-metre space. Generator hire at $250 daily or $1,000 weekly applies if your site lacks 3-phase power, creating another hidden variable worth confirming before committing to any project.
Hidden Variables That Shift Your Final Price
Tile and adhesive removal, vinyl stripping, or epoxy work each carry separate pricing implications depending on what currently covers your concrete. Two identical-sized floors can cost dramatically different amounts based on what sits on top and what condition the concrete underneath actually presents. Surface preparation demands extra attention when previous coatings or stains exist (adding $15 to $25 per square metre), and damaged concrete can require double the prep time compared to sound slabs. Your exact floor size and layout help you anticipate whether you’ll benefit from scale economies or face premium pricing for fragmented spaces.
Final Thoughts
Polished concrete floors deliver genuine value when you understand what drives the cost to polish existing concrete floors and plan accordingly. The cost ranges from $50 to $180 per square metre depending on finish level, floor condition, and project size. Most property owners find that honed finishes offer the best balance between durability and budget, while grind and seal works well for tight budgets and mechanically polished options suit those wanting mirror-gloss results.
Long-term value makes polished concrete a smart investment because a properly finished floor lasts 20 years or more with minimal maintenance, whereas vinyl or tiles require regular replacement and repairs. You’ll spend far less on upkeep since daily dust mopping and weekly damp cleaning with pH-neutral cleaner keep the surface looking fresh. The reflective properties also reduce lighting costs in commercial spaces, adding another layer of savings over time.
Site assessments reveal your concrete’s actual condition and help contractors recommend finishes that match both your needs and your wallet. We at Superfloor Australia recommend contacting us for a professional assessment of your existing concrete, where our team delivers high-quality polished concrete flooring in Brisbane with precision preparation and expert craftsmanship tailored to your specific needs.