Hardscaping Adelaide
Adelaide hardscaping quotes — paving, retaining walls, concrete, edging, driveways. Itemised quotes from licensed local trades within 24 hours.
Hardscaping Adelaide
The structural backbone of any landscape — paving, retaining walls, concrete, edging, driveways, site preparation. Hardscaping is where a lot of Adelaide projects live or die: get the levels wrong, the wall fails; pick the wrong paver, it cracks in two summers; skip drainage, the whole job rebuilds in five years.
We connect you with Adelaide hardscaping trades who know SA conditions — clay-heavy soils, hot dry summers, and the South Australian regulations governing retaining walls over a metre high.
What we cover
Paving
Concrete pavers, brick, bluestone, travertine, sandstone, limestone, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, crazy paving. Driveways, paths, courtyards, pool surrounds, alfresco floors.
Retaining walls
Concrete sleeper, timber, block, stone, besser block, limestone, modular systems. Garden retaining, level changes, terracing, structural retention.
Read more about retaining walls →
Concrete and decorative concrete
Driveways, slabs, paths, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, polished concrete. Site prep, formwork, reinforcing, pouring, finishing.
Garden edging
Concrete kerbing, steel edging, timber edging, paver edging. Defines bed lines, contains mulch, separates lawn from garden.
Site preparation and earthmoving
Bobcat work, mini excavator, soil removal, level changes, drainage. Most landscape jobs start here.
Typical pricing
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Paving (supply + lay) | $70–$120 per square metre |
| Concrete sleeper retaining wall | $250–$450 per linear metre |
| Timber retaining wall | $180–$320 per linear metre |
| Block retaining wall (besser) | $350–$600 per linear metre |
| Concrete driveway (exposed aggregate) | $90–$160 per square metre |
| Garden edging (concrete kerb) | $55–$95 per linear metre |
| Bobcat hire (with operator) | $90–$140 per hour |
Pricing varies by access, ground conditions, and finish. A wall that needs engineering certification (over 1m high in most SA councils) costs more.
What separates a good hardscape job
- Drainage. Retaining walls fail when water builds up behind them. Ag-pipe, gravel backfill, weep holes — non-negotiable.
- Compaction. Pavers move when their base isn’t compacted to spec. Two layers of crushed rock, plate-compacted, screeded flat.
- Levels. Cross-falls of 1:50 to 1:100 on paved areas; otherwise water pools.
- Edge restraint. Pavers without proper edge restraint walk over time. Concrete kerb or hidden steel.
- Engineering certification. Walls over 1m generally need engineering. Don’t trust a contractor who skips it.
Frequently asked
Do I need council approval for a retaining wall? In most SA councils, walls under 1m don’t need approval. Over 1m typically does. Walls in flood-prone areas, heritage zones, or close to boundaries may have additional requirements. Your contractor will know.
Concrete vs paving — which is cheaper? Concrete is usually cheaper per square metre to install but harder to repair. Pavers cost more upfront but individual pavers can be lifted and replaced. Over 20 years, costs converge.
Why are some pavers so much cheaper? Thinner pavers (40mm vs 50mm), lower-grade clay, or smaller bedding-base specifications. The job lasts as long as the spec.
Get a free quote
Request a free hardscaping quote. Itemised quotes from licensed Adelaide trades within 24 business hours.
Quick quote request
Request a free Hardscaping quote
Itemised quotes from Adelaide trades within 24 business hours.