What stamped concrete really costs.
Commonly published planning ranges by project type, what moves the price and how to compare estimates fairly. Your written estimate sets the real number.
Price per square foot, side by side.
Dollars per square foot installed. Bars show the typical low-to-high range.
- Broom or salt finish (plain)The budget baseline, with grip but no pattern.$6 to $12per sq ft
- Stamped concrete patioMost backyard patios land here, depending on pattern, colors and borders.$12 to $25per sq ft
- Stamped concrete drivewayThicker reinforced slab and more area; borders add polish.$14 to $28per sq ft
- Stamped pool deckLight colors, slip-resistant sealer and drainage details.$14 to $28per sq ft
- Stamped overlay on a sound slabResurfaces existing concrete with no demolition.$8 to $18per sq ft
- Microtopping or skim coatThin, smooth, modern finish for sound surfaces.$6 to $15per sq ft
- Acid stain or dye on existing concreteColor only; best on clean, sound slabs.$4 to $12per sq ft
- Garage floor flake coatingGround, coated and sealed for tough use.$5 to $12per sq ft
Commonly published planning ranges for installed work. Local prices vary with site, access, design and materials. Your written estimate sets the real price.
Seven things that change the number.
Pattern complexity
Fans, circles and multi-pattern layouts take more labor than a single ashlar field.
Color layers
Integral color, hardener, release and accents add materials and craft.
Borders and medallions
Contrasting bands and inlays add detail and cost.
Thickness and steel
Driveways and heavy-use areas need thicker, reinforced slabs.
Access and demolition
Hard-to-reach yards and old slabs to remove add time.
Site and drainage
Slopes, soft soil and drainage work change the base.
Sealer and sheen
Higher-performance sealers and slip-resistant additives cost more.
Get your number
A free visit turns all of this into one written price. Ask for my estimate
Ask every contractor for these six lines.
- Slab thickness and reinforcement
- Base depth and material
- Colors: integral, hardener and release
- Pattern and any border or medallion
- Joint layout and cutting
- Sealer type, sheen and number of coats
Cost questions, answered
How much does stamped concrete cost?
Commonly published planning ranges run about $12 to $25 per square foot installed for stamped patios and a bit more for driveways and pool decks, with overlays and plain finishes lower. Pattern, color layers, borders, access and base work all move the number, so a free visit and written estimate are the only way to get your real price.
How long does stamped concrete last?
The slab itself commonly lasts 25 years or more when it is built on a compacted base with reinforcement and air-entrained concrete. The sealer and surface color need attention every couple of years to stay rich.
Can you stamp over my existing concrete?
Often yes. If the slab is structurally sound we bond a stamped overlay to it, which costs less and makes less mess than replacement. We inspect first and tell you honestly if replacement is the better choice.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval?
Patios on private property often do not need a permit, but driveway aprons, walls and some structures can. Many HOAs require approval, and we prepare the drawings and samples they ask for.
Want a real number for your project?
A free visit ends with a written estimate that lists exactly what is included.