How to Keep Stamped Concrete Costs Reasonable
One of the most popular landscaping trends today is the installation of stamped concrete. Stamped concrete is similar to the conventional concrete you’ll find on driveways, sidewalks, and roads, but it also features a pattern, texture, and one or more colors to add extra visual appeal.
Aside from aesthetics, stamped concrete tends to be a popular option for homeowners due to its affordability compared to brick, wood, and natural stone installation alternatives. Yet, the cost of stamped concrete can still represent a significant investment of anywhere from $5 to $12 per square foot (or even more depending on the current cost of materials), not including the cost of the concrete slab.
In this post, we’ll highlight four ways you can get the stamped concrete feature that you want without overspending.
Stick to One Color
The more colors included in your stamped concrete project, the greater the cost. That’s because there’s more labor and supplies involved in projects that include more than one color. The more simple the stamped concrete project is, the less it’s going to cost in the end.
Only Stamp the Borders
A simple project can still be a beautiful one. A surefire way to keep costs in check on your next stamped concrete job is to limit the size and scope of the project. If you don’t want to do this, you can also simplify it. In the previous section, we mentioned how sticking to just one color can help reduce costs. Another way to reduce costs is to just stamp the borders or part of the concrete slab. Again, just stamping part of the slb will reduce labor and help save money in the end.
Only Use One Pattern
As we mentioned earlier, stamped concrete is similar to conventional concrete, except with added patterns, colors, and textures. One of the most labor-intensive aspects of a stamped concrete job is the act of actually “stamping” the poured concrete with the various patterns and textures. There are various stamps to choose from, and many homeowners elect to have multiple patterns stamped into their project. Reducing the complexity of the project by only selecting one stamp pattern can also save on labor and end costs.
Get an Overlay Instead of a Complete Pour
If you already have a concrete slab, you could also overlay it. Concrete overlay is a thin product that can be applied to damaged concrete. It helps cover up imperfections, and it can be stamped afterwards. In most cases, only one to two inches of overlay is poured over the existing concrete, which is just enough to fill in any damaged parts, or to create enough of a layer for stamping.
Since only a fraction of concrete is poured, the cost is likely to be significantly less. However, it’s worth noting that overlay tends to require more maintenance than conventional concrete.
Think about how much you’re willing to spend upfront versus how much maintenance will cost you over the years.
Learn More About the Cost of Your Project
G&G Concrete & Construction has been providing high-quality commercial and residential concrete services throughout southeast Michigan for the past 20 years. We’re always happy to help property owners find the most effective solution for their budget.
If you have questions about stamped concrete, or would like to learn more about the potential cost of your stamped concrete project, contact us today to request a free consultation.
