Concrete cutting is specialist work — the wrong approach damages reinforcing steel, creates dust hazards, and can compromise structural elements. Here's what concrete cutting costs in NZ in 2026 and what method suits your job.
Concrete Cutting Cost NZ 2026
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Diamond blade flat saw cut (per linear metre) | $25–$80/m |
| Core drilling — 100mm diameter hole | $150–$350 |
| Core drilling — 150mm diameter hole | $200–$450 |
| Core drilling — 200mm+ diameter hole | $300–$700+ |
| Wall sawing (per linear metre) | $60–$180/m |
| Hand sawing (tight access, per linear metre) | $80–$200/m |
| Concrete breaking / jack hammer (per hour) | $100–$200/hr |
| Concrete removal + disposal (per m³) | $200–$500/m³ |
| Scanning (GPR ground-penetrating radar, per site) | $300–$800 |
Typical project costs:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cut doorway through concrete block wall | $800–$2,500 |
| Core drill 4 holes for plumbing (100mm) | $600–$1,400 |
| Cut control joints in new driveway (10 cuts) | $400–$900 |
| Cut opening in concrete slab for drain | $600–$1,800 |
| Break up and remove 20m² concrete path | $1,500–$4,000 |
All prices ex-GST. Auckland 15–20% above. Reinforced concrete and difficult access add significantly to cost.
Concrete Cutting Methods
Diamond Flat Saw (Floor Saw)
A walk-behind saw with a diamond blade — cuts horizontal surfaces (driveways, paths, floors, slabs). The standard tool for cutting control joints in new concrete and opening trenches in existing slabs for drainage or plumbing.
Best for: Driveways, paths, floor slabs, opening trenches. Requires water for cooling (wet cutting reduces dust and extends blade life).
Depth: Standard floor saws cut 300–450mm deep depending on blade size. Sufficient for most residential slabs (100–150mm thick).
Dust: Even with water, concrete cutting produces significant silica dust. Silicosis (lung disease from silica dust) is a serious occupational health risk — professional cutters use dust extraction and respiratory protection.
Core Drilling
A rotating diamond-tipped core bit drills a cylindrical hole through concrete or masonry. Used for plumbing penetrations, electrical conduit, drainage, and ventilation openings.
Common sizes in NZ residential work: - 50mm: small electrical conduit - 100mm: standard drain pipe, gas pipes - 150mm: larger drain penetrations - 200mm+: mechanical services, larger openings
Wall vs floor: Core drilling can be horizontal (through walls) or vertical (through floors). Horizontal wall drilling requires the drill to be braced against the wall — a rig mount is used for accuracy on larger holes.
Wall Saw (Track Saw)
A diamond blade on a track system fixed to the wall — cuts precise rectangular or shaped openings in vertical concrete or block walls. Used for cutting new doorways, windows, or service openings in concrete or concrete block walls.
Best for: New doorways through concrete block foundations, window openings in concrete walls, structural openings that require precise cutting.
Important: Cutting any structural opening in a concrete or masonry wall requires engineering input — the load above the opening must be assessed and a lintel specified before cutting begins.
Hand Saw (Ring Saw / Angle Grinder)
A smaller diamond-blade saw used in confined spaces where a floor saw or wall saw can't reach. More expensive per metre (slower, more labour-intensive) but necessary for access-constrained situations.
Scanning Before You Cut
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scanning before cutting is strongly recommended for any cut into an unknown concrete slab. Concrete slabs typically contain: - Reinforcing steel (rebar or mesh) — cutting through rebar weakens the structure and destroys diamond blades - Post-tension cables — found in commercial and some residential construction; cutting a PT cable is extremely dangerous and can cause sudden structural failure - Electrical conduit or pipes — buried services in slabs
GPR scanning: $300–$800 for a typical residential site. Marks the location of rebar, mesh, and services before cutting begins. Essential for commercial concrete and strongly recommended for any residential slab cutting beyond surface control joints.
Many concrete cutting companies include scanning in their service — confirm this when quoting.
Concrete Breaking and Removal
Breaking: A hydraulic jackhammer (breaker) or electric SDS demolition hammer breaks concrete that's been cut or needs to be removed. After cutting with a diamond saw, sections are broken out manually.
Removal: Broken concrete is heavy — 1m² of 100mm concrete = approximately 240kg. Removal typically involves: - Barrowing to a skip or truck - Skip bin hire or truck with labour - Disposal at a concrete recycling facility (often lower cost than landfill — concrete can be recycled as aggregate)
Cost: $200–$500/m³ for break-out and removal. A 20m² concrete path (100mm thick = 2m³): $400–$1,000 for removal and disposal.
Do You Need a Consent for Concrete Cutting?
Surface cuts and core drilling (non-structural): Generally no consent — drainage penetrations, conduit holes.
Structural openings (cutting through load-bearing walls or structural slabs): Building consent required. Any opening in a structural element must be assessed by a structural engineer before work begins and consented by the local council.
Retaining walls and foundations: Cutting into a retaining wall or foundation requires engineering assessment regardless of size.
Find concrete cutters near you: Concrete Contractors NZ | Post Your Job Free
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concrete cutting cost in NZ? Diamond flat saw cuts: $25–$80 per linear metre. Core drilling (100mm hole): $150–$350. Breaking and removing a 20m² concrete path: $1,500–$4,000 including disposal. Opening a doorway through a concrete block wall: $800–$2,500 for cutting (lintel and rebuild extra).
Do I need to scan before cutting concrete in NZ? For any cut beyond surface control joints, yes — GPR scanning ($300–$800) is strongly recommended. Post-tension cables in commercial slabs are dangerous if cut. Rebar and mesh can be in unexpected positions. Buried conduit and pipes are common in NZ residential slabs. Many concrete cutting companies include scanning in their service.
Can I cut concrete myself in NZ? Surface cuts with an angle grinder or hire-shop concrete saw: possible for DIY. However, concrete cutting produces hazardous silica dust (silicosis risk), requires correct blades (diamond), adequate water for cooling, and hearing and eye protection. For any structural work, core drilling, or wall cutting, use a professional.
How thick is a typical NZ concrete driveway? 100mm (10cm) is the NZ standard for residential driveways. Some older driveways are 75mm. Driveways with truck access or heavy vehicles should be 125–150mm. A standard floor saw cuts to 300mm+ depth — more than adequate for a residential driveway.
How long after pouring can concrete be cut? Control joints in new driveways should be cut within 4–12 hours of pouring (before the concrete is fully cured, but after it's hard enough to walk on). Cutting too late results in random cracking rather than controlled joints. For demolition cutting of existing concrete, age doesn't matter.
Related: Concrete Driveway Cost NZ | Plumbers NZ | Post a Job Free