Decorative Concrete

Stamped, colored, stained, polished, and exposed aggregate finish cost ranges.

• Colored Concrete Cost — $12–$24 per square foot
  Installed colored concrete commonly costs more than plain concrete because pigment, mix consistency, finishing, and curing all affect the final appearance. In Southern California, small-project minimums, pump or wheelbarrow access, reinforcement, demolition, and decorative sealing can move the price substantially.
• Concrete Resurfacing Cost — $5–$15 per square foot
  Concrete resurfacing applies a new bonded surface over suitable existing concrete after cleaning, preparation, and repair of localized defects. Southern California cost varies with the slab's condition, preparation method, overlay system, decorative treatment, access, and total area.
• Concrete Staining Cost — $5–$16 per square foot
  Concrete staining cost is driven less by the stain itself than by surface preparation and the desired decorative effect. Existing coatings, oil contamination, cracks, moisture, multiple colors, masking, and sealer requirements can move Southern California projects toward the high end.
• Decorative Concrete Finish Upgrade Cost — $1–$10 per square foot
  Decorative finishes are priced as an installed upgrade over a standard light broom finish. Smooth and salt finishes are modest upgrades; stamping, integral color, acid stain, sealer and inset insignia stack on top of each other. The range below is the added cost only, not the finished slab price.
• Exposed Aggregate Concrete Cost — $15–$30 per square foot
  Exposed-aggregate concrete costs more than standard broom-finished flatwork because the mix, placement timing, surface retarder, washing, cleanup, and sealing require additional materials and skilled labor. Aggregate selection, slab preparation, access, project size, borders, curves, and color strongly influence the final square-foot price.
• Polished Concrete Cost — $6–$18 per square foot
  Polished concrete work uses progressively finer grinding and polishing steps, often with densifier and a protective treatment, to produce the specified finish. Southern California pricing depends on slab condition, required repairs, aggregate exposure, sheen level, edge work, access, and total floor area.
• Salt Finish Concrete Cost — $12–$22 per square foot
  Salt finish concrete is created by pressing rock salt into fresh concrete and washing it away after the surface sets, leaving a lightly pitted texture. The work also includes the underlying slab preparation, forming, reinforcement, placement, joints, and curing. Southern California costs vary with project size, access, slab specifications, color choices, pattern consistency, and the amount of detailed finishing at edges and around obstacles.
• Stamped Concrete Cost — $14–$28 per square foot
  Stamped concrete cost reflects both structural slab work and decorative labor for color, release, stamping, detailing, washing, and sealing. Pattern complexity, multiple colors, borders, access, substrate preparation, and small-job mobilization are major cost drivers in Southern California.