Is This Shed Slab Quote Too High? What a Shed Slab Should Cost in Australia
By PumpX Team ·
Shed slab quotes can vary a lot, and it is natural to wonder whether yours is fair. We have not seen the quote or any of the thread's details, so we cannot say whether it is high. What we can do is show you what a shed slab quote should contain and the ranges published by Australian cost guides.
Ballpark figures
A handful of 2026 online cost guides put a plain shed slab at around A$70 to A$105 per square metre, supplied and laid, which comes out around A$2,500 to A$3,800 for a typical 6 m by 6 m shed. Most of those figures come from a small number of publishers who also sell or market trade services, so treat them as indicative, not gospel. Your city, access, soil, slab thickness and engineering requirements will move the number, as will the current price of concrete and labour.
What a good quote should list
Ask for an itemised quote. At a minimum look for:
| Line item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Site preparation | Levelling, excavation, spoil removal, compacted base (road base or crushed rock) |
| Formwork | Edge boards or pegs, any raised or stepped edges |
| Plastic membrane | Moisture barrier under the slab |
| Reinforcement | Mesh, bar, beams or thickened edges, and to what spec |
| Concrete | Strength grade (MPa), volume with allowance, thickness |
| Pump or barrow | Pump hire if the truck cannot reach, minimum charges |
| Finishing | Broom, trowel, saw cuts or control joints |
| Curing and sealing | If included |
| Engineering and permits | Council approval, engineer's detail if required |
| Cleanup | Washout and waste removal |
If a line looks vague, ask what it covers.
Why one quote may be higher than another
- Access. If the concrete truck cannot get close, you need a pump or wheelbarrowing, which adds cost. See do concrete trucks have pumps and concrete pump vs chute vs wheelbarrow.
- Slope or fill. More base work and formwork.
- Thickness and reinforcement. Sheds that carry vehicles, heavy machinery or are required by a manufacturer to have thickened edges need more concrete and steel.
- Minimum order and short load fees. Small pours can attract extra charges from the concrete supplier. Check how the supplier prices small volumes.
- Labour. One guide estimates labour as roughly 40 to 50 per cent of the total price. Skilled finishers cost more but a bad finish is hard to fix.
- Timing and demand. Busy season quotes can be higher.
One guide reported three concreters pricing a 60 m2 driveway at A$5,200, A$5,900 and A$7,400. That kind of spread on the same job is normal, so quotes are best compared like for like.
Do you need a pump?
For a small slab with good access, the concrete truck's chute may be enough. If it is a long distance from the road, or behind the house, a pump or wheelbarrows may be needed. A line pump hire usually has a minimum charge. See what to expect in what's included in pump hire, and use the rate calculator for a feel for the range. A Melbourne-focused example of reading a quote is in how to read a concrete quote.
Check the shed supplier's requirements
Many shed manufacturers specify a slab design: thickness, strength, edge beams and anchor positions. Make sure your concreter has a copy. A slab that does not match the spec can cause problems with warranty and engineering approval. Check with your council whether a permit is required, since this varies.
Red flags in a quote
- No itemisation, just a total.
- No mention of base preparation or reinforcement.
- Cash only and no written scope.
- A price much lower than all others, which may mean thin concrete, no mesh or no base.
- No licence or insurance details where your state requires them.
How to compare quotes
- Get at least three in writing.
- Give each the same plan, dimensions and requirements.
- Ask about the concrete strength, thickness and reinforcement.
- Ask who arranges pump, council, engineer and cleanup.
- Check reviews and ask to see recent work.
Timing and curing
Ask how long you need to wait before erecting the shed. Concrete gains strength over days and weeks, and installers often want a minimum cure time before loading it. Also protect the surface from rain and traffic in the first day or two, per your concreter's advice.
Key takeaways
- Published guides suggest roughly A$70 to A$105 per square metre for a plain shed slab, but your site may justify more.
- Ask for an itemised quote covering base, formwork, steel, concrete, pump, finishing and cleanup.
- Access, slope, thickness and small-load fees are the usual causes of higher quotes.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope.
- Check council and shed supplier requirements before you pour.
Need a pump for a hard-to-reach slab? Find local pump companies at /services on PumpX.
Original question on Reddit: r/AusRenovation: Any thoughts on this quote for a shed slab? Seems a little high