How much does concrete resurfacing cost?
How much does concrete resurfacing cost?
$3 – $7 cost per square foot
$300 – $700 100 SF patio, pool deck, or floors cost
$1,200 – $2,900 Average 2-car driveway resurfacing cost
Concrete resurfacing cost
Concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot for a driveway, pool deck, patio, walkway, or floors. A decorative or stamped concrete overlay costs $6 to $20 per square foot. Resurfacing a 2-car concrete driveway costs $1,200 to $2,900. Pool deck resurfacing costs $3 to $6 per square foot.
| Size | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 10'x10' Patio | $300 – $700 |
| 10'x20' Patio or driveway (1-car) | $600 – $1,400 |
| 12'x24' Driveway (1-car) | $850 – $1,500 |
| 20'x20' Driveway (2-car) | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| 24'x24' Driveway or garage (2-car) | $1,700 – $2,900 |
| 24'x36' Driveway (3-car) | $2,600 – $4,300 |
| 4'x50' Sidewalk or walkway | $600 – $1,400 |
| 18" Pool deck border (135 SF) | $400 – $800 |
| 4' Pool deck border (360 SF) | $1,100 – $2,200 |
| Basement or slab (800 SF) | $2,400 – $4,000 |
Concrete resurfacing involves removing the top layer of the slab, repairing minor cracks and flaking, and applying a thin overlay system that may include colors, patterns, or textures.
Resurfacing is more cost-effective than replacement and creates the look of new concrete.
Concrete resurfacing lasts 8 to 15 years before needing any repairs.
Average cost to resurface concrete
| National average cost | $500 |
| Minimum cost | $300 |
| Maximum cost | $2,000 |
| Average range | $300 to $700 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Concrete resurfacing cost per square foot
Concrete contractors estimate resurfacing costs on the project size, existing surface condition, and the type of overlay system. Repairing cracks, grinding or leveling the concrete, or adding stamped patterns or multiple colors increases the cost.
| Location | Basic design* | Complex design* |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway | $3 – $5 | $7 – $20 |
| Pool deck | $3 – $6 | $6 – $12 |
| Patio or walkway | $3 – $7 | $7 – $20 |
| Interior floor | $3 – $8 | $5 – $15 |
| Garage floor | $3 – $5 | $4 – $7 |
| Basement floor | $3 – $5 | $4 – $7 |
| Outdoor stairs | $3 – $7 | $7 – $20 |
*Minimum service fees may apply.
Concrete driveway resurfacing cost
Concrete driveway resurfacing costs $3 to $5 per square foot or $1,200 to $2,900 for an average two-car driveway. Resurfacing makes the driveway look new and is cheaper than the cost to install a new concrete driveway at $4 to $8 per square foot.
Adding a heated driveway system costs $6 to $10 per square foot extra.
Concrete pool deck resurfacing cost
Concrete pool deck resurfacing costs $3 to $6 per square foot for basic overlays and $6 to $12 per square foot for decorative designs.
Adding a coating of Kool Deck costs $4 per square foot. Kool Deck improves the appearance and durability, keeps the surface cool, and creates a non-slip texture.
Resurfacing a patio or walkway cost
The average cost to resurface a concrete patio or walkway is $3 to $7 per square foot for a plain overlay or $7 to $20 per square foot for a stamped overlay. Resurfacing is cheaper than the cost to install a new concrete patio at $4 to $12 per square foot.
Cost to refinish concrete floors
The cost to polish a concrete floor is $3 to $8 per square foot for basic designs and $5 to $15 per square foot for elaborate designs. Prices depend on how many levels of grinding are needed to smooth the surface. Refinishing may also include color staining or sealing.
Cost to resurface garage floors
Resurfacing a concrete garage floor with an epoxy coating costs $4 to $10 per square foot or $1,600 to $5,800 for an average two-car garage. Epoxy protects the surface from staining, chipping, and cracking. DIY epoxy kits for garage floors cost $200 to $700.
Basement and slab foundation resurfacing cost
Resurfacing a concrete basement floor slab costs $3 to $7 per square foot for an epoxy coating or a self-leveling concrete overlay. Resurfacing the floor adds moisture protection and stain-resistance and may include decorative colors or patterns.
Cost to resurface concrete steps
Resurfacing concrete steps costs $150 to $500, depending on the damage. Only repairing the damaged areas costs the least, but the area will look different from the other steps. Replacement is a better option for stairs with large cracks, heaving, settling, or where the height cannot be raised.
In comparison, new precast concrete steps cost $70 to $110 per step, while pouring cement costs $200 to $400 per step installed. Removing the existing concrete steps adds $250 to $500.
Concrete overlay costs
A basic concrete overlay costs $3 to $7 per square foot. A decorative concrete overlay costs $6 to $10 per square foot and includes stains, dyes, textures, embeds, saw cuts, or other design elements. Stamped concrete overlays cost $7 to $20 per square foot and replicate stone, brick, or tile.
| Type | Cost per square foot* | Cost per 100 square foot* |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $3 – $7 | $300 – $700 |
| Decorative | $6 – $10 | $400 – $1,000 |
| Stamped | $7 – $20 | $700 – $2,000 |
*Minimum service fees may apply.
Types of concrete overlay
A concrete overlay is a thin layer of cement and polymer resin spread on top of an existing concrete surface to cover minor damage or add color and decoration. Overlays may be as thin as a feather finish or up to 2" thick, depending on the style, type, and texture.
| Type | Thickness | Color options | Finish options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-topping or skim coat | 1/32" to 3/16" | Solid or stenciled colors; stains, tints, or dyes | Smooth or shallow textured |
| Knockdown, spray down, or trowel down | 1/8" | Integral pigments; solid, stenciled, or patterned | Splatter coat or shallow textured |
| Stampable | 1/4" to 3/4" | Integral pigments; stains, tints, and dyes | Textured to look like stone, brick, or tile |
| Self-Leveling | 1/4" to 2" | Solid or stenciled colors; stains, tints, and dyes | Smooth and flat, sawcut, or engraved |
Stamped concrete overlay cost
Stamped concrete overlays cost $7 to $15 per square foot for a single pattern or $15 to $20 for more complex designs. Stamped concrete replicates the look of stone (flagstone or cobblestone), brick, natural rock, or tile. A texturized mat or rolling tool imprints a pattern into the wet concrete surface.
Stamped overlays are installed over an existing concrete slab or wall.
A stamped concrete wall costs $20 to $50 per square foot installed.
Pouring a new stamped concrete patio costs $7 to $18 per square foot on average or up to $25 per square foot for intricate designs.
Decorative concrete resurfacing cost
Decorative concrete resurfacing costs $6 to $10 per square foot and may include colored stains, dyes, shallow textures, and other design elements. Decorative overlays are thinner and less expensive than stamped overlays.
Pros and cons of a concrete overlay
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
Process to resurface concrete
Concrete resurfacing requires prep work, including cleaning and repairing the existing slab before applying the new overlay. Inadequate surface preparation is the most common cause of cracking and delamination in a new overlay.
Concrete shifts at its expansion joints during season changes, often cracking the overlay above it. Resurfacing is only possible over concrete with stabilized expansion joints and a strong foundation.
1. Power washing
Power washing costs $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot and removes dirt, oil, mildew, and grease from the concrete. Ensure the contractor also strips off any sealers, paint, or coatings on the surface.
2. Concrete repair or removal
The new concrete surface will only be as stable as the foundation beneath it. Weak, crumbling, or uneven concrete must be repaired before resurfacing.
Driveway repair costs $0.50 to $3 per linear foot to fill cracks in concrete. Cracks wider than 1/4" typically indicate foundation problems that will cause more cracks to appear after resurfacing. Hire a structural engineer to inspect the concrete to determine the underlying cause. Structural engineers charge $100 to $200 per hour.
3. Mudjacking and leveling concrete
The average cost for concrete leveling is $3 to $6 per square foot for mudjacking or $5 to $25 per square foot for foam leveling. Installers drill holes in the existing slab and pump a mud-like mixture or polyurethane foam underneath to lift the slab until it's level.
4. Pouring new concrete
After cleaning and preparing the concrete, the contractor primes the surface with a bonding agent and applies the new overlay. Concrete prices are $119 to $147 per yard for materials only.
If the existing concrete is too damaged for resurfacing, pouring a new concrete slab costs $4 to $8 per square foot, depending on the thickness and whether the installation includes wire mesh or rebar reinforcement.
5. Coloring, pattern, and finish
Color: Use an integral pigment mixed with the concrete before application or add color to the surface afterward with stains.
Pattern: Stamp a texture into the wet concrete before it cures or use dye to stencil decorative patterns.
Finish: Concrete sealing costs $1 to $3 per square foot installed. Concrete sealer costs $30 to $80 per gallon, which protects the new surface and preserves its appearance. The labor cost to seal concrete is $0.70 to $1.25 per square foot.
What is a concrete overlay?
A concrete overlay is a thin layer of cement and polymer resin applied on top of an existing concrete surface to repair minor damage or add decoration. Overlays range from 1/32" to 2" thick and may include stones, colors, or stamped designs.
Does concrete resurfacing last?
Concrete resurfacing lasts 8 to 15 years before needing any repairs. Most concrete overlays last as long as the concrete base underneath them. If the foundation is weak or the surface is not prepared correctly, cracks and delamination may appear in the new overlay.
Should I repair, resurface, or replace my concrete driveway, patio, or walkway?
Repair or resurface concrete with minor flaking or cracks less than 1/4" wide.
Replace concrete surfaces with large cracks, crumbling, spalling, or structural problems.
If the repair requires a new layer more than two inches thick, replacement is a better option.
Concrete resurfacing and overlays require a stable foundation. Large cracks in the existing concrete will quickly transfer up through the new surface.
Are resurfacing and refinishing concrete the same thing?
Concrete refinishing and resurfacing are two different things:
Refinishing adds, changes, or restores color or shine to an undamaged, level concrete surface.
Resurfacing removes and replaces the top layer of concrete, correcting surface damage and optionally adding decorative colors or stamping.
| Factor | Resurface | Refinish |
|---|---|---|
| Level concrete with stable foundation and no major cracks | Yes | Yes |
| Damaged concrete that needs repairs | Yes | No |
| Add color or a glossy sheen | No | Yes |
| Add decorative texture or stamped design | Yes | No |
| Add protective barrier to minimize maintenance | No | Yes |
Does concrete resurfacer really work?
Concrete resurfacer works to cover minor damage or change the look of a driveway, patio, or floor. When applied properly, resurfacer improves the concrete's appearance and durability and extends the slab's lifespan. Resurfacing does not repair cracks or fix an unstable foundation.
Can you stamp concrete over existing concrete?
Stamped concrete overlays can be applied over existing concrete. Professional installers pour a thin layer of new cement mixed with polymer resin on top of the old concrete and use rubber stamp mats to add patterns or textures to the new surface.
How much does it cost to paint a driveway?
Painting a concrete driveway costs $2 to $4 per square foot but may result in uneven color or flaking. One alternative to painting is to resurface the driveway with concrete that has pigment already mixed in, which lasts longer and creates a more even color throughout the concrete.
How much does asphalt driveway resurfacing cost?
Asphalt driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot, or $400 to $1,800 for an average 2-car driveway.
DIY concrete resurfacing costs
Home Depot, Lowe's, and other home improvement stores sell DIY concrete resurfacer for $20 to $40 per 40-lb bag, enough to cover 15 to 80 square feet, depending on the thickness. The total project cost depends on the size of the area and whether you rent or purchase the required tools.
Avoid buying concrete mortar mix or patching compound, which is cheaper but doesn't include the bonding agents that allow the concrete resurfacer to adhere to the existing slab.
DIY resurfacing involves power washing the concrete, prepping it with adhesive, then mixing and pouring the concrete resurfacer and spreading it quickly before it sets. Most jobs require a team of at least two people working together.
Getting concrete resurfacing cost estimates
Professional concrete repair contractors have the tools and experience to ensure the job is done quickly and correctly. Before hiring a pro and signing a contract, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Let professionals know you’re getting bids from multiple contractors so they offer you their best competitive price.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate with a full breakdown of all costs involved.
Ask for a written contract and warranty.
Avoid making large payments before the work begins. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.
Questions to ask
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
How many concrete driveways have you resurfaced in the last year?
Do you have a portfolio of previous projects I can view?
How much extra do you charge to add a color or stamped design to my concrete?
How do you handle unexpected project delays?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What does your warranty policy include?
What is your payment schedule?