From around $20 per metre
Often used for thinner slabs, control joints, surface scoring or simple straight cuts in accessible concrete.
Concrete Cost Guide • Saw Cutting, Core Drilling & Slab Cutting
Concrete Cutting Cost in Australia
Concrete cutting in Australia commonly starts around $20 per metre for shallow 100mm cuts and can rise to around $30 to $50 per metre for 300mm cuts. The final price depends on cut depth, concrete type, reinforcement, access, equipment, removal and whether the work involves floors, walls, slabs, driveways or core drilling.
This guide explains how concrete cutting prices work, why cut depth matters, and what to check before comparing quotes.
How much does concrete cutting cost in Australia?
Concrete cutting is commonly priced by linear metre, but the rate changes with the depth and difficulty of the cut. Shallow slab cuts usually cost less than deep cuts through reinforced concrete, walls, suspended slabs or awkward access areas.
Simple pricing rule: concrete cutting cost is not just length. A 10 metre cut through a thin slab is not the same job as a 10 metre cut through reinforced concrete, a wall, a suspended slab or an area with tight access.
$30–$50 per metre
A common planning range for deeper cuts, thicker slabs and more involved residential concrete cutting.
$60–$120+ per metre
More likely for reinforced concrete, wall sawing, difficult access, deep cuts or specialist equipment.
These are broad Australian guide prices. A proper quote should be based on cut length, cut depth, concrete type, reinforcement, access, equipment, scanning, removal and clean-up requirements.
Concrete cutting cost per metre
Per-metre pricing is useful for early budgeting, but it does not describe the full job. The same cut length can cost very different amounts depending on depth, reinforcement, access and whether removal is included.
| Cutting type | Typical guide price | What usually affects the range |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow slab cut around 100mm | From $20 per metre | Simple floor saw work, easy access, plain concrete and limited depth. |
| Deeper slab cut around 300mm | $30–$50 per metre | More depth, more machine time, more blade wear and thicker concrete. |
| Reinforced concrete cutting | $60–$120+ per metre | Steel reinforcement, harder cutting, more time and higher blade wear. |
| Specialist cutting | Site-specific | Wall sawing, suspended slabs, ring sawing, hand sawing, confined areas or structural work. |
Estimated concrete cutting cost = cut length × rate per metre
For example, a 12 metre slab cut at $40 per metre would cost about $480 before extras such as call-out, scanning, water control, waste removal, access charges or GST.
For broader concreting prices, read our guide to concrete cost per m² in Australia.
Why cut depth changes the price
Cut depth is one of the biggest pricing factors because deeper cuts take more time, wear blades faster and may need different equipment. A shallow control joint and a full-depth slab cut are different jobs, even if the line length is the same.
| Cut depth | Cost pressure | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 30–50mm | Lower | Control joints, surface scoring, expansion cuts and light surface work. |
| 75–100mm | Lower to moderate | Shallow slab cuts, small removal sections and thinner residential slabs. |
| 150–200mm | Moderate | Thicker slabs, driveways, patios and more involved residential work. |
| 300mm+ | Higher | Deep slabs, walls, thick reinforced concrete or specialist cutting. |
Depth tip: a cheap per-metre rate may only apply to shallow, accessible, plain concrete. Always ask what cut depth the quote is based on.
Concrete cutting cost comparison by depth
This visual guide shows how price pressure usually increases as the cut gets deeper, harder or more specialised.
These ranges are planning guides only. Final pricing should be confirmed against the cut depth, concrete type, access, reinforcement and removal requirements.
Saw cutting, core drilling and wall sawing costs
Concrete cutting is not one single service. The right method depends on the surface, depth, access and purpose of the cut.
| Service | Usually priced by | Common use | Cost behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor saw cutting | Linear metre | Slabs, driveways, paths and warehouse floors. | Usually efficient on accessible flat surfaces. |
| Hand saw cutting | Linear metre or job | Tight areas, edges, smaller cuts and some vertical surfaces. | May cost more because the work is slower and more physical. |
| Core drilling | Per hole or depth | Plumbing, drainage, electrical conduits, anchors and service penetrations. | Diameter, depth, location and reinforcement affect the price. |
| Wall sawing | Job or linear metre | Door openings, window openings and structural modifications. | Usually more specialised than simple slab cutting. |
| Concrete removal | m², m³ or job | Removing cut sections after controlled cutting. | Often priced separately from cutting. |
Method tip: floor sawing, core drilling and wall sawing use different equipment. A quote should say what method is being used and what the price includes.
View our concrete cutting services for more detail.
What affects concrete cutting pricing?
The length of the cut tells you how far the saw travels. The depth, reinforcement, access, services, slurry, removal and safety requirements tell you how hard the job actually is.
Longer cuts cost more overall
Larger jobs may have a better rate than very small jobs, but total cost still rises with the amount of cutting required.
Depth changes the effort
Deeper cuts take more time, create more blade wear and may need stronger equipment.
Not all concrete cuts the same
Plain concrete, exposed aggregate, reinforced concrete and structural concrete can cut differently.
Steel slows the cut
Steel mesh or rebar can increase cutting time, blade wear and labour.
Tight sites cost more
Stairs, apartments, narrow paths, poor parking and internal work can make the job slower.
The tool changes the price
Floor saws, hand saws, wall saws, ring saws and core drills suit different jobs.
Hidden services may need checking
Scanning may be needed before cutting near services, post-tension cables or unknown reinforcement.
Wet cutting needs control
Wet cutting can reduce dust, but it creates slurry that needs clean-up and disposal.
Cutting is not disposal
Removing cut concrete, loading it and disposing of it is often quoted separately.
Cost tip: ask whether the quote includes cutting only, or cutting plus removal, disposal, clean-up, scanning and access costs.
Example concrete cutting cost estimates
These examples show how cutting costs can change by depth, access, removal and job type.
| Example project | Scope | Rough guide estimate | What may change the quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control joints in a small slab | 20m shallow cutting | From $400 | Access, saw type, call-out, minimum charge and clean-up. |
| Driveway section cut for removal | 12m deeper cutting | $360–$600 | Thickness, reinforcement, removal, disposal and whether old concrete is being lifted. |
| Plumbing trench through slab | 8m cutting | Site-specific | Scanning, depth, dust control, water control, internal access and repair work. |
| Core drilling for services | 3–5 holes | Site-specific | Hole diameter, depth, reinforcement, access and location. |
| Wall opening | Door or window cut | Site-specific | Wall thickness, support, scanning, cutting method, removal and structural requirements. |
Estimate warning: these examples do not replace a site quote. Real quotes may include call-out fees, minimum charges, scanning, water control, slurry clean-up, concrete removal, disposal and GST.
Concrete cutting and removal cost
Concrete cutting and concrete removal are related, but they are not the same service. Cutting creates controlled sections. Removal involves breaking out, lifting, loading, transporting and disposing of the concrete.
If you need part of a slab, driveway, path or wall taken away, ask whether the quote includes removal and disposal. A cutting-only price can look cheaper because it leaves the heavy removal work out.
Best when the cut is needed for joints, trenches, plumbing, access, controlled separation or preparation before another trade.
Needed when old slabs, driveways, paths, walls or sections of concrete need to be broken out, loaded and taken away.
If cutting is part of repair work, view our concrete repairs service. If the job involves slab replacement, read our concrete slab cost guide.
DIY concrete cutting vs hiring a professional
Small surface cuts may look simple, but concrete cutting involves dust, noise, blade kickback, hidden reinforcement, services, water control and heavy debris. Professional cutting is usually safer and more accurate when the cut needs to be deep, straight, structural or close to services.
| Option | May suit | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| DIY surface scoring | Very shallow non-structural work. | Dust, poor accuracy, limited depth and rough finish. |
| DIY hire saw | Small outdoor jobs with experience. | Blade risk, water control, slurry, hidden steel and uneven cuts. |
| Professional cutting | Deep, accurate, reinforced or service-related cuts. | Higher upfront cost, but better control and safety. |
| Professional cutting and removal | Slab, driveway, path or wall section removal. | Higher cost, but avoids heavy handling and disposal issues. |
Safety tip: if the cut is near plumbing, electrical conduits, post-tension cables, structural concrete or occupied indoor areas, professional assessment is the safer path.
What concrete cutting quotes should include
A concrete cutting quote should describe the cut clearly. A low price is not useful if it leaves out depth, access, clean-up, removal or scanning.
Quote inclusions to check
- Cut length
- Cut depth
- Concrete type
- Equipment method
- Whether reinforcement is expected
- Scanning requirements
- Access conditions
- Water or dust control
- Slurry clean-up
- Removal and disposal
- Call-out or minimum charge
- GST
Warning signs in a quote
- No cut depth listed
- No mention of reinforcement
- No clarity on removal
- No scanning discussion where services may exist
- No dust or water-control plan
- Very low price with vague scope
- No mention of access limits
- No written exclusions
Quote comparison tip: ask each contractor to price the same cut length, cut depth and removal scope. Otherwise, the cheapest number may not cover the same work.
For more detail, read our guide to how concrete quotes are prepared.
Why scanning and service location can affect cost
Concrete may hide steel reinforcement, conduits, pipes, heating systems or post-tension cables. Cutting without knowing what is inside the slab can damage services or create a safety risk.
Scanning can add cost, but it may prevent a far more expensive mistake. This is especially important in commercial buildings, apartments, structural slabs, post-tensioned concrete and areas where service locations are unclear.
Scanning verdict: the cost of checking a slab can be small compared with the cost of cutting through the wrong thing.
Dust, slurry, noise and clean-up
Concrete cutting is not just the cut line. It can produce dust, slurry, noise and debris. Indoor work, commercial sites and occupied homes need more planning than an outdoor driveway cut.
Wet cutting can reduce dust, but it creates slurry that needs to be controlled. Dry cutting may need dust extraction or containment. Noise restrictions, neighbour concerns, strata rules and clean-up responsibility should be discussed before work starts.
Site control items
- Wet cutting or dry cutting method
- Dust control
- Slurry control
- Noise restrictions
- Internal floor and wall protection
- Neighbour or body corporate rules
Clean-up questions
- Who removes slurry?
- Who disposes of cut concrete?
- Is water run-off controlled?
- Is indoor dust containment included?
- Is the area left ready for the next trade?
- Are disposal fees included?
Does location affect concrete cutting cost?
Location can affect concrete cutting cost through labour rates, travel, parking, access, disposal options, noise restrictions and whether the work is residential, commercial or strata-based.
Sydney
Apartments, strata rules, parking limits and older slabs can affect access and work timing. View our Sydney concrete services.
Melbourne
Renovation work, internal slabs, weather and access can affect cutting and clean-up. View our Melbourne concrete services.
Brisbane
Outdoor slabs, drainage work and weather timing can affect cutting and removal planning. View our Brisbane concrete services.
Perth
Large driveways, sandy sites and suburban access can affect equipment choice and removal. View our Perth concrete services.
Adelaide
Established homes, heat, dry cutting control and renovation slabs can affect cutting conditions. View our Adelaide concrete services.
For broader service coverage, visit the locations hub.
Related concrete cost guides
These guides connect concrete cutting prices to slabs, repairs, driveway work and broader concrete project costs.
Concrete Slab Cost Australia
Learn how slab thickness, reinforcement, preparation and access affect concrete slab pricing.
Concrete Cost Per m² Australia
Understand how concrete pricing changes by finish, preparation, thickness and project type.
Concrete Repair Cost
Compare crack repair, patching, resurfacing and replacement considerations.
Concrete Driveway Cost Australia
Compare driveway pricing, finishes, preparation, removal and replacement factors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does concrete cutting cost per metre?
Concrete cutting in Australia commonly starts around $20 per metre for shallow 100mm cuts and can rise to around $30 to $50 per metre for 300mm cuts. Reinforced concrete, wall sawing, difficult access and specialist cutting can cost more.
Why does cut depth affect the price?
Deeper cuts take more time, create more blade wear and may need stronger equipment. A shallow control joint is not the same job as a full-depth cut through a thick reinforced slab.
Is concrete cutting charged by metre or by job?
Many saw cutting jobs are priced by linear metre, but small jobs, core drilling, wall openings, difficult access and removal work may be priced by the job.
Does concrete cutting include removal?
Not always. Concrete cutting creates controlled sections, while removal involves breaking out, lifting, loading, transporting and disposing of the concrete. Ask whether removal and disposal are included.
Is reinforced concrete more expensive to cut?
Yes. Steel mesh or rebar can slow the cutting process, increase blade wear and require different equipment or more labour.
What is core drilling?
Core drilling creates round holes through concrete for plumbing, drainage, electrical conduits, anchors or service penetrations. Cost depends on hole diameter, depth, location and reinforcement.
Can I cut concrete myself?
Very shallow non-structural cuts may be possible for experienced DIYers with the right equipment, but deep cuts, reinforced concrete, service penetrations and indoor work are usually safer for professionals.
Do I need concrete scanning before cutting?
Scanning may be needed when cutting near services, structural areas, post-tension cables, pipes, conduits or unknown slab construction. It can add cost, but it may prevent serious damage.
Get a concrete cutting quote based on the job
A concrete cutting quote should reflect the cut length, cut depth, concrete type, access, reinforcement, scanning needs, equipment method and whether removal is included. The lowest per-metre rate is not always the best value if it leaves out clean-up, disposal or site control.
If you need slab cutting, driveway cutting, core drilling, controlled removal or concrete preparation, our team can help you compare the practical requirements before work begins.