Concrete with a decorative overlay typically ranges in price from $7 to $12 per square foot while stamped concrete costs $8 to $20.

Resurfacing breathes new life into a surface and costs less than installing a new slab. Hire a concrete professional who knows how to properly prepare the mixture and has decorative finish experience and all the equipment for the job.

On This Page:

1. Average Resurfacing Prices
2. Resurfacing Costs Per Square Foot
1. Average Cost of Driveway Concrete Resurfacing
2. Pool Deck
3. Patio or Walkway
4. Floors
5. Garage Floors
6. Basement Slab Foundations
3. Concrete Overlay Costs
1. Types
2. Stamped Concrete Overlay Costs
3. Decorative
4. Process
5. FAQs
6. DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Average Concrete Resurfacing Prices

Concrete Resurfacing Costs Per Square Foot

The per-square-foot cost varies based on the type of resurfacing you want, the condition of the existing surface and the size of the project.

Plan to budget more if you have several cracks to fill or need mudjacking to make the slab level.

Smaller projects may be more expensive if you’re hiring a professional because some companies have a flat fee or minimum charge.

Average Cost of Concrete Driveway Resurfacing

The per-square-foot price ranges from $3 to $5. The median cost to resurface a standard 38x16-foot driveway is about $2,500.

Resurfacing a driveway is cheaper than getting a new one. Installing a new concrete driveway runs homeowners about $3,700.

Pool Deck Resurfacing

A basic resurfacing job of 750-square-foot pool deck ranges in price from $2,250 to $3,750. A decorative overlay would be about $5,250 to $9,000 while stamped concrete may range from $6,000 to $15,000. These methods have a return on investment of about 70 percent.

Residents of especially hot and sunny climates may want to add a special topping to lower the exterior surface temperature of the concrete. Kool Deck, a trademarked product, averages about $4 per square foot.

Resurfacing a Patio or Walkway

The median cost of resurfacing a concrete patio or walkway is $4 per square foot. The total depends on the size of the area and its condition. It's generally cheaper than installing a new concrete patio, on which homeowners typically spend between $1,500 to $3,700.

This process extends the concrete's lifespan. Prospective homebuyers often notice the value of crack-free surfaces. A pristine patio can have an ROI of about 80 percent.

Resurfacing Floors

Polished concrete floor projects cost the average homeowner about $2,100, but some may spend from $1,600 to $3,900. These kinds of floors in residential spaces are growing in popularity due to their versatility. Homeowners are recognizing that the potential of polished surfaces goes beyond industrial warehouses and home improvement stores.

Garage Floors

Coating concrete with epoxy costs from $1,400 to $2,900. High-traffic surfaces, like garage floors, should get a coat of epoxy to protect against potential cracking, chipping and general wear and tear.

You can choose between water- or solvent-based epoxy. Water-based is cheaper at $30 to $50 per gallon while solvent-based is $45 to $150.

Basement and Slab Foundations

At $3 to $5 per square foot, a basic concrete resurfacing job is cheaper than building a new basement, finished or unfinished. Installing an unfinished basement costs about $10 to $25 per square foot, while finished basements range from $30 to $100 per square foot.

Concrete Overlay Costs

Concrete overlay is a type of resurfacing that consists of applying a colored, cement-based substance to an existing surface. It spruces up floors and hides minor damage and discoloration in the process. The thickness of the overlay depends on the depth of the imprint and how much texture the homeowner desires.

Types of Concrete Overlay

Stamped Concrete Overlay Costs

The per-square-foot cost of installing stamped concrete ranges from $8 to $20. The price of a standard 38x16-foot driveway ranges from about $4,900 to $12,200. The total depends on the stamped design's complexity as well as the square footage.

The installer uses a stamp or an embossing tool to create a pattern or ornamental design. An especially skilled individual can mimic the appearance of wood, stone, brick or slate.

Decorative Overlay Prices

The per-square-foot price ranges from $7 to $12. The cost to resurface a standard 38x16-foot driveway with a decorative overlay ranges from $4,300 to $7,300.

Less ornate overlays, unstamped types, involve polymer-based spreads accented with stains or dyes. These are flexible and thinner than projects involving stamps, but texture is addable.

Pros & Cons of a Concrete Overlay

Process to Resurface

Concrete resurfacing takes multiple steps, and there's some prep work that needs doing before the surface makeover can begin. You should first determine if the concrete is suitable for resurfacing. If it's got large cracks and is crumbling or has settled, it's time for a full-on replacement. If the existing surface is undamaged, clean it, then repair and prime.

1. Power-Washing

The average charge for pressure or power washing an exterior surface, the first step in the resurfacing process, is $300. Pressure washing a driveway prices between $80 and $200 while power washing is about $130 to $220. Pressure washing uses high velocity to get dirt, dust and grime while power washing uses hot water to get rid of stains and other tough elements.

2. Concrete Repair or Removal

Repairing concrete usually costs between $300 to $3,500. Fixing cracks ranges from $250 to $800. If the cracks are wider than ⅛ of an inch, consider hiring a structural engineer for a cost of about $500. Cracks wider than ⅛ of an inch could mean there are problems in the foundation's integrity.

A structural engineer assesses the foundation to determine its soundness and stability. They will explain which cracks are ignorable, which are easy to fix with synthetic or rubberized fillers and which will require hiring a contractor to make the repairs. Do this before pouring new product.

Removing concrete sets homeowners back an average of $1,000, but costlier jobs may reach $3,000. Remove it by using a pry bar and sledgehammer to smash it into smaller pieces or an electric jackhammer and special saw.

3. Mudjacking for Leveling Concrete

Most people pay an average price of $900 to cover the cost of leveling or mudjacking concrete slabs.

This process consists of pumping or pouring concrete under an existing slab that is sagging or cracked. This flattens and levels the slab. This step isn’t necessary if the concrete is in good condition. If it's not, perform mudjacking after power or pressure washing.

4. Pouring New Concrete

The cost of concrete delivery typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,700. The median per-square-foot cost of pouring new concrete is $13.

After the surface clean (and repaired if necessary), and the batch of material is ready, the mixing truck must deliver and pour the product within 90 minutes or 300 rotations.

5. Coloring, Ornamenting & Sealing

Include pigment in the concrete mixture after it's poured if you desire color. If you’re looking for a more ornate surface, add a stamped design after the troweling. Finish with a coat of sealant.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

DIY resurfacing ranges in price from about $2 to $5 per square foot. Factors include the amount of material necessary for the job and whether you plan on renting or purchasing the equipment or tools you need.

Concrete resurfacing consists of more than just spreading the substance and letting it harden. It's a process that requires precision in setting up the site and in preparing and applying the mixture. Making the form of the site too big is a common DIY mistake that can lead to the final product cracking and slumping. Another common mistake is failure to properly mix the concrete. Poorly made product is likely to crack.

Hiring a professional contractor ranges in price from about $3 to $10 per square foot. Smaller, residential projects may cost more as it's not unusual for a company to require a minimum charge. If you’re unfamiliar with working with concrete, consider spending a little more for a professional that knows how to prepare and resurface with concrete.

FAQs

Should I repair, resurface or replace my concrete driveway, patio or walkway?

Determining whether you should repair, resurface or replace your concrete surface depends on its condition and what kind of appearance you want it to have. If the cracks are few and far between and easily filled, make the repairs. If you want to resurface it and give it a fresh look, make the fixes first. Replace the surface if it's old, crumbling and has large, hazardous cracks.

Is resurfacing and refinishing the same thing?

There are a few differences among resurfacing and refinishing. Figuring out which is for you depends on the condition of the surface and the look you seek.

• A damaged surface in need of repairs would be a candidate for resurfacing, but not refinishing.
• Resurfacing is also suitable for installing decorative overlay or stamped designs.
• A solid surface that's in good condition is ready for resurfacing or refinishing, but if you want something smooth and glossy, go with the latter.

How much does asphalt driveway resurfacing cost vs. concrete?

The per square foot price of resurfacing an asphalt driveway is about $3 while concrete is about $6.