The cost of creating stamped concrete is minimal compared to the cost of alternative flooring options such as tile or stone. Having said that, it is important to remember that the cost of creating stamped concrete does vary. It depends on several factors that are discussed below.
First, the total cost of a stamped concrete job will heavily depend on the price of labor and materials in your area. This is often called the cost of installation. Labor will largely depend on the company and where you are located in the country. In addition, materials will vary in cost largely depending on whether or not you purchase the materials or if the company you are employing brings them as a part of the package. Generally if you can purchase the concrete and have it delivered, meanwhile hiring folks to simply stamp it, the cost of materials will be much cheaper.
Stamped concrete cost also depends on the complexity of the designs. The more difficult your designs are to lay, the more costly the price tag will be. The different costs simply translate into how much work should be put into the project and how well the project is done.
As mentioned, quality of work is also very important. If the company you are considering hiring has received many good testimonials and plenty of recommendations, you can be fairly confident that the relatively hefty price tag they are asking for the job is worth it. Indeed, the last thing you will want after the stamping job is complete is to find that the job was done in a very poor manner with little quality or attention to detail.
The next detail that you should definitely factor into your stamped concrete cost is the amount and kind of coloring that you use. If you plan to add the coloring directly to the concrete mixture before it is laid, the cost will generally run between 10 and 30 percent of the cost of the concrete mix. Other ways to apply color will vary accordingly.
With these parameters in mind, here is a basic and very broad range of costs. For a basic stamping job (meaning that it has just one color and a very basic decorative stamp) you should expect to pay between $8 and $12 total per foot of concrete stamped. An intermediate job with several colors and a more advanced pattern, including a separate trim pattern, will cost you around $12 to $18 per foot. Of course, the most elaborate projects of all, especially custom design patterns or hand dyed projects will be the most expensive, beginning at $18 a foot and going up from there.
Stamped concrete can indeed cost much less than many other options for finishing a floor. In addition, if well done, the concrete looks beautiful and can add plenty of value to the area to which it was added. Knowing what costs are involved with just such a job will help you make the best decision as to who to hire for your stamped concrete job.
