How Much Will Concrete Resurfacing Cost?

Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Updated January 11, 2022
Concrete driveway for three car garage
Photo: dpproductions / iStock / Getty Images Plus

The average concrete resurfacing cost is $400 for 100 square feet. Most concrete overlays cost between $300 and $500 for this size, or about $3 to $5 per square foot.

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If your concrete slab has seen better days, demolition isn’t your only option. The price of concrete overlays cost far less than installing a new slab, while still delivering that fresh-poured look you’re after. Whether it’s your driveway, pool deck, patio, or any paved surface, your concrete resurfacing cost can buy a restored look you’re sure to love.

How Much Does Concrete Resurfacing Cost Per Square Foot?

Concrete resurfacing costs about $3 to $5 per square foot for a basic, single-stain color. If you’re interested in stamped concrete or decorative overlays, this could drive up your costs to around $7 to $20 per square foot.

Basic Concrete Resurfacing Costs

Square FootageCost
50 sq. ft.$150 – $250
100 sq. ft.$300 – $500
200 sq. ft.$600 – $1,000
500 sq. ft.$1,500 – $2,500
700 sq. ft.$2,100 – $3,500
900 sq. ft.$2,700 – $4,500
1,200 sq. ft.$3,600 – $6,000
1,500 sq. ft.$4,500 – $7,500

Stamped or Decorative Overlay Costs

Square FootageCost
50 sq. ft.$350 – $1,000
100 sq. ft.$700 – $2,000
200 sq. ft.$1,400 – $4,000
500 sq. ft.$3,500 – $10,000
700 sq. ft.$4,900 – $14,000
900 sq. ft.$6,300 – $18,000
1,200 sq. ft.$8,400 – $24,000
1,500 sq. ft.$10,500 – $30,000

DIY Concrete Overlay Cost

If you’re up for the task, you can DIY your concrete resurfacing for about $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on the tools and materials you need. You can find a 40-pound bag of ready-mix concrete resurfacer for around $30 to $75. If you’re doing a depth of one-sixteenth inch, this will cover about 120 square feet.

You’ll also need to rent a power washer for around $70 to $300 per day. This will help you clean off any dirt, debris, or other icky things you don’t want to permanently seal into the surface.

Additionally, you’ll spend around $85 to $100 for basic tools. Your biggest expense is a power drill, which you’ll need for mixing the concrete. If you’ve already got a drill in your toolbox, you’ll only need to budget around $35 to $50 for a mixing paddle attachment, bucket, finishing trowel, and optional concrete broom.

Tools Required

  • Power drill: $50

  • Mixing paddle drill attachment: $15

  • Finishing trowel: $15

  • Concrete broom*: $15

  • Five-gallon bucket: $5

  • Total: $85–$100

*A concrete broom is only necessary if you’re creating a textured, non-slip finish.

Cost savings are always alluring, but this isn’t a simple DIY you can do while watching Netflix on your phone. Achieving a smooth surface demands precision and keen attention to detail. A little cracking is normal for concrete, but a botched DIY job could result in excessive cracks and a slumped surface. Finding a local concrete contractor ensures you get the results you want.

Concrete Resurfacing Cost Breakdown

Your concrete resurfacing costs will vary based on the size and state of your existing slab. When budgeting for this project, be sure to consider prep work as well as the pouring of new concrete. Optional features including staining, stamping, and sealing will cost more.

Power or Pressure Washing

A good power wash is an essential step of concrete resurfacing and costs around $300. A tough pressure wash on a driveway goes for around $80 to $200, while a standard power wash could be about $130 to $220.

Repairing or Removing Concrete

Concrete usually needs repairs before the resurfacing process can begin. Depending on the size and state of the area, this could be anywhere between $300 to $3,500. If you’re only fixing some cracks in the concrete, your cost might only be in the $250 to $800 range. Removing the concrete altogether could set you back $1,000 or more.

Leveling the Concrete

If the existing concrete is saggy or full of cracks, you’ll need to factor in about $900 to fix it. This is usually done via mudjacking, which pumps and pours new concrete onto the slab to level it.

Pouring New Concrete

Once your surface is prepped and ready to go, the concrete overlay costs around $1,500 to $5,700, or about $13 per square foot.

Optional Staining, Stamping, and Sealing

If you’re moving away from the basic greige, concrete staining goes for around $2 to $4 per square foot. You can even create a work of art with multiple colors and intricate, eye-catching patterns, which could cost upwards of $25 per square foot. You’ll want to finish with a coat of sealant for about $0.13 to $0.20 per square foot.

newly resurfaced concrete floor in a home
Photo: Jodie Johnson / Adobe Stock

How Much Does Concrete Resurfacing Cost by Type?

Different concrete resurfacing jobs require various weights and finishes. Depending on the type of surface you’re working on, costs can go up or down.

Concrete Driveway Resurfacing Cost

If you have a concrete driveway, you can have it resurfaced for around $3 to $5 per square foot. If it’s too damaged or crumbly to resurface, the cost of a new concrete driveway goes for around $2 to $15 per square foot on average. Whatever your needs are, a concrete driveway contractor near you can help achieve the smooth and durable surface you’re after.

Resurface a Concrete Patio Cost

Your standard concrete patio or walkway typically goes for about $4 per square foot. A local concrete patio contractor can give you the best estimate based on your needs (and wants, like a gorgeous stamped concrete patio detail, of course).

Pool Deck Resurfacing Cost

Pool deck resurfacing will cost around $2,250 to $3,750 for your basic 750 square-foot deck. Decorative overlays are a fancier option for about $5,250 to $9,000. Stamped concrete is typically between $6,000 and $15,000. Aside from their luxurious look, these extras can deliver an average ROI of 70%.

Concrete Sidewalk Resurfacing Cost

Concrete sidewalk resurfacing jobs usually go for about $3 to $7 per square foot. The cost to fix a concrete sidewalk and add decorative overlays could result in higher rates.

Concrete Resurfacing Costs by Style

If the standard concrete look is too basic for you, you’ve got a few style options to jazz it up a bit. A decorative overlay will cost about $7 to $12 per square foot, while a stamped concrete overlay costs roughly $8 to $20 per square foot.

Concrete Resurfacing FAQs

What is the difference between resurfacing and refinishing?

Refinishing only works on solid surfaces that are in good condition, whereas resurfacing will restore a cracked or worn surface to its original, blemish-free state. Refinishing will leave you with a smooth and glossy surface you can’t get from resurfacing alone. If that’s the look you’re going for, contact a local concrete finishing contractor to achieve it.

Should I patch, resurface, or replace my concrete?

Concrete blemishes such as chipped steps or small cracks are fixable with patching. However, you’ll probably notice that the color doesn’t quite match the rest of the surface. If you’re cringing at the thought, you’ll want to resurface your concrete following the repair. 

For bigger jobs including driveway repair and cracks wider than a quarter-inch, patches will only serve as a band-aid fix. Water will sneak between the old and new materials over time, reopening the holes and leaving you right back where you started. Again, this is where resurfacing would be a superior choice.

If the concrete is older than 25 years or so, you’re better off with a complete replacement. The same goes for excessively large cracks or crumbling surfaces that could present a hazard on your property. 

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