How Much Does Concrete Resurfacing Cost?
Concrete is a remarkably durable material, but it’s still not immune to different types of damage. Over time, the concrete you installed may start to look worn down and its outermost layer may become uneven as well. Demolishing and replacing that old concrete may seem like your only option, but it’s worth noting that you can resurface it.
Resurfacing the concrete installments in and around your home is a great way to restore their appearance. It can also be a more practical solution for homeowners since it takes less time and costs less money. So, how much will you have to pay for concrete resurfacing?
The cost of concrete resurfacing will change based on what type of overlay you have selected. A basic overlay costs $5 per square foot, a decorative overlay costs $8, and a stamped overlay is priced at $14. You can also expect the cost of concrete resurfacing to change based on the area that will be worked on.
Worn-down concrete surfaces can drag down the overall aesthetic appeal of your property. You can address those problem areas by paying for concrete resurfacing. Find out how much concrete resurfacing will cost by continuing with the rest of this article.
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Cost of Concrete Resurfacing by Overlay Type
| Concrete Overlay Type | Cost Per Square Foot |
| Basic | $5 |
| Decorative | $8 |
| Stamped | $14 |
Concrete resurfacing involves a new layer of concrete being poured over an existing surface. The old concrete serves as the base while the new concrete will become the outermost layer. By combining the two, your concrete surface will retain its strength and also appear brand new.
Resurfacing is mainly done to improve the appearance of your old concrete surfaces. You can even choose from different overlay types to achieve the look you want. Detailed below are the concrete overlay types that you can use for resurfacing.
Basic
The basic concrete overlay is your first option if you want to resurface some spots around your home. Unsurprisingly, the basic overlay is also the most affordable option at $5 per square foot.
A basic concrete overlay will effectively conceal all the signs of damage on the previously installed pieces of concrete. If that crack or opening on the concrete has been a source of annoyance, resurfacing may be the remedy you need.
Consider basic overlays for areas like driveways and garages. You don’t need decorative additions on those surfaces so going with the basic overlay makes a lot of sense.
Decorative
Homeowners can also select a decorative concrete overlay for their restoration project. Using a decorative concrete overlay will be a bit more expensive. You can expect to pay $8 per square foot if you want the workers to use decorative overlay.
Go with the decorative overlay if you’re working on areas such as your patio, pool deck, or your interior floor. The decorative elements on the concrete can complement the pieces around them thus creating a better space.
You can choose specific colors for the concrete if you’re using the decorative overlay. Even the texture can be altered so you can effectively change up the concrete via resurfacing.
Stamped
Lastly, you can also use stamped concrete for resurfacing purposes. This is by far the most expensive option. The stamped concrete overlay costs an average of $14 per square foot.
The main draw of stamped concrete is its distinctive appearance. Stamped concrete can look like numerous other materials. You can bring your preferred look to life by choosing a specific pattern.
Stamped concrete is significantly more expensive than the other options because installing it can be tricky. The workers have to alter its appearance while it’s still wet and that is not always easy to do. You can understand why those installations cost more.
Cost of Concrete Resurfacing by Location
| Location | Cost Per Square Foot |
| Basement | $5 |
| Driveway | $9 |
| Interior Floor | $8 |
| Garage | $5 |
| Patio | $10 |
| Pool Deck | $7 |
| Stairs | $9.50 |
Which spots in and around your home can benefit from concrete resurfacing? Your answer to that question will affect how much you’ll have to pay for this restoration project.
As you’ve probably guessed, the cost of concrete resurfacing changes based on the location that will be worked on. Resurfacing some areas is easy because no elaborate patterns are needed. They are also easy to clear out thus minimizing the amount of prep work for the installers.
You may want to use decorative or stamped overlays on other spots and that will increase your bill. More work may also be required in those areas so resurfacing will be a bit more complicated.
Basement
Resurfacing your basement is one of the cheaper options. Adding the new concrete there will cost $5 per square foot.
Why is resurfacing the basement floor so cheap? That’s mainly because homeowners often don’t need to use decorative or stamped concrete there. If you’re just using your basement as a storage area, decorating the floor is not necessary.
The basement is also often an isolated spot. That means the workers don’t have to worry about the concrete covering other nearby surfaces. It will be easier for them to do their job within that enclosed space.
Driveway
Restoring your driveway can have practical and aesthetic benefits. The cost of resurfacing your concrete driveway is $9 per square foot.
Homeowners have to pay a bit more to resurface their driveway because more material is often required. Big chunks of your old driveway may already be missing due to wear and tear. The workers may have to pour more concrete to address that issue.
Some folks also want decorative concrete added to their driveway. Doing that makes sense if you want that part of your home to stand out. You can choose a specific color for the concrete that leads into your home.
Interior Floor
The floor inside your home may also benefit from concrete resurfacing. You will have to pay $8 per square foot if you want your interior concrete floors restored.
Resurfacing an interior concrete floor is worth doing not just if your floor is already damaged. Paying for interior floor resurfacing also warrants consideration if you want to change your home décor. You can effectively introduce a new dimension of design to your décor by installing decorative or stamped concrete.
Match or contrast the color of the concrete floor with the rest of the room to create an interesting sight. Textured patterns on the floor will also match well with baseboards and crown molding.
Garage
The garage is another place where concrete resurfacing may be required. The cost of restoring your concrete garage floor is relatively affordable. It will cost $5 per square foot.
Similar to the basement, you don’t have to worry about decorative flourishes when resurfacing your garage floor. You just have to focus on getting the floor even and concealing any signs of damage. Using the basic concrete overlay will suffice for this project.
The workers also won’t mind resurfacing a garage floor. It’s a simple project so it will be easier for them to finish.
Patio
Do you want to resurface the concrete covering your patio? Working on that part of your home will cost the most. You can expect the workers to charge $10 per square foot if you’re asking them to resurface your concrete patio.
The high cost of resurfacing a patio can be attributed to how homeowners typically want it to be restored. They aren’t content with basic resurfacing.
Many homeowners want the patio floor to stand out. They are willing to pay extra for decorative or stamped overlays. They may even request some more intricate patterns so their patio floor can look more beautiful.
Pool Deck
Next up, you can also resurface the concrete deck surrounding your pool. The average cost of resurfacing that area is $7 per square foot.
Resurfacing the pool deck is a good idea if you want to improve that part of your home. Instead of paying for expensive fixtures, you can resurface the concrete there and instantly change the look of your pool. Think of it as a more cost-effective way of redesigning your swimming pool.
Some homeowners also want a special coating added to the concrete pool deck. That special coating adds a non-slip texture to the concrete. Consider adding it if you have young kids at home who like to swim.
Stairs
Resurfacing your concrete stairs is also an option. Do note that restoring concrete stairs can be pricey. The average cost of resurfacing concrete stairs is $9.50 per square foot.
Homeowners often end up paying more than they expected to resurface concrete stairs. That’s because they think only resurfacing the damaged areas will suffice.
You can only restore the damaged spots if you want, but that will lead to the stairs developing an almost patchy look. Are you okay with that result if those concrete steps are frequently used? It’s not a good look and that’s why homeowners usually want the entire staircase resurfaced.
Steps Involved in Resurfacing Concrete
Restoring a concrete surface is a multi-stage process. Workers don’t just come to your property, pour the concrete, let it dry, and call it a day. The results would be less than ideal if they went with that approach.
In this section of the article, we’ll discuss the steps involved in resurfacing concrete. Keep them in mind so you know what to expect if you sign up for this service.
Power Washing
Power washing is the first part of the concrete resurfacing process. You can handle the power washing yourself if you have the required equipment. Paying for professional power washing is also an option and that will cost $175.
Washing the concrete is important because you don’t want any debris left on the surface. Those bits of debris can prevent complete bonding between the layers so you must get rid of them.
Concrete Repair
Resurfacing is supposed to conceal the damage to the concrete, but it’s not meant to repair that surface. If there are big holes in the existing concrete surface, those spots must be patched up first.
It’s difficult to pin down how much concrete repair will cost. It will depend largely on the extent of the damage.
Concrete Leveling
Concrete leveling or mudjacking is a procedure that’s often required if the concrete slab to be resurfaced is uneven. The positioning of the slab may have changed so leveling will be required.
To level the concrete, workers will drill holes into the slab. They will then carefully pump a special substance into the slab until it becomes level.
Pouring Concrete
The next step involves pouring the new concrete over the old surface. Some additional prep work may be required before the concrete overlay can be poured. That can increase the amount of time required for this project.
Applying the Decorative Touches
The final step of concrete resurfacing involves applying the finishing touches. Those finishing touches may include adding stains, pigments, and patterns to the concrete. The new concrete can also be sealed after it sets in place.
Should You Resurface Concrete Areas In and Around Your Home?
Resurfacing the concrete areas around your home can be a costly endeavor. So, is it worth that kind of money? Come up with your answer to that question by checking out the pros and cons of concrete resurfacing.
Pros:
- Relatively Affordable – Concrete resurfacing can be expensive, but it’s still more affordable than removing then replacing the already installed material. If you’re trying to save as much money as possible, resurfacing is the move.
- Design Possibilities – Resurfacing does not limit what you can do from a design standpoint. You can still change the appearance of the concrete through resurfacing if you are so inclined.
- Quick Completion – Workers can finish resurfacing concrete pretty quickly. That’s a huge plus if they’re working in high-traffic areas.
- Easy Maintenance – You don’t have to do anything special to maintain the new concrete surface. Regular cleaning will suffice especially if you sealed the new concrete. You may also have to reseal the concrete in the future.
Cons:
- Does Not Work for Significant Damage – Is the concrete surface badly damaged? In that case, resurfacing it will not resolve the issue. You will have to replace the concrete at that point.
- Louder Noises – Noises bouncing off the new concrete surface may be louder than what you’re used to. It may take you some time to adjust to that.
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Related Questions
Does Concrete Resurfacing Last?
Are you hesitant to pay for concrete resurfacing because you’re afraid it won’t be a lasting fix? Worries like that are understandable, but there’s no need for them. The new layer of concrete can last for up to 20 years if you take good care of it.
Can Your Pour New Concrete over Old Cracked Concrete?
Pouring new concrete directly over damaged concrete is not recommended. The issues with the damaged concrete will persist if you go that route.You should repair the old concrete before laying down the new material. That will keep the added surface protected from pre-existing issues.
How Do You Make Old Concrete Look Better?
If the old concrete surfaces around your home look worn down but are otherwise intact, power washing can restore them. You can find professional power washers who will be more than happy to take on that job. Staining the concrete also works if you want to freshen up its appearance.
Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.
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