Key Takeaways

Topic	Key Points
Basic Cost Per Square Foot	$3 – $5
High-End Cost Per Square Foot	$5 – $15
Residential Project Costs	Vary by area, e.g., Bathroom: $200 – $600, Garage: $800 – $4,500
Existing Floor Considerations	Additional costs for removal, repairs, overlay, etc.
Comparison with Other Flooring	Concrete vs. Tile, Hardwood, Epoxy, etc.
Polishing vs. Alternatives	Benefits and drawbacks of polished vs. stained concrete
Professional vs. DIY	Professional costs more, DIY equipment costs $1,000 – $2,400

Polished concrete floors are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and easy to maintain. However, before deciding on this flooring option, it’s crucial to understand the costs involved. Here’s an in-depth look at the costs associated with polished concrete floors.

$3 – $5 Per Square Foot (Basic Design)

Basic polished concrete floors generally cost between $3 and $5 per square foot. This type of polishing includes minor prep work, one stain layer, grinding, and polishing to a moderate shine.

$5 – $15 Per Square Foot (High-End Elaborate Design)

For more elaborate designs, the cost rises significantly, ranging between $5 and $15 per square foot. High-end polishing includes multiple layers of stains, intricate designs, scoring, sealing, and a high level of sheen.

Polished Concrete Floors Cost

Level	Cost Per Square Foot	Description
Basic	$3 – $5	Minor prep work, one layer of stain, grinding, and moderate shine
Mid-range	$5 – $8	Minor repairs, in-depth grinding, two colors of stain, scoring, sealing, and a higher sheen
High-end	$8 – $15	Surface repairs, custom designs, patterns, stencil work, staining, scoring (saw cuts), multiple colors, sealing, and polishing

Residential Polished Concrete Flooring Cost By Project

Area	Average Cost
Bathroom	$200 – $600
Kitchen	$500 – $1,800
Patio	$600 – $3,200
Garage	$800 – $4,500
Driveway	$1,000 – $5,000
Basement	$2,000 – $8,000

Cost To Polish Existing Concrete Floors

Polishing existing concrete floors involves additional tasks such as removing existing flooring, concrete repairs, underlays, and more.

Task	Cost Per Square Foot	Description
Remove Existing Flooring	$0.50 – $3.00	Includes removal and disposal
Light Surface Prep	Included	Removing glue, dirt, grease, coatings, or blemishes
Concrete Repairs	$1.00 – $3.00	Fill in cracks, remove remaining epoxy/glue
Screed / Overlay	$2.00 – $5.00	Resurfacing creates a level, smooth surface
Underlay	$2.00 – $5.00	Cement board underlay for an on-grade or above-grade floor
Grinding	$1.00 – $4.00	Sands and prepares the concrete over a single pass
Polishing	$2.00 – $6.00	Polishes and hones the surface to a shine over multiple passes
Designs, Scoring, Staining	$2.00 – $25.00	Color(s), saw cuts, patterns, stencil work
Sealing	$2.00 – $4.00	Protects against stains, acid, and chemicals, offers skid and water resistance

Size & Area Of Floor

The size and area of the floor significantly influence the cost. Larger areas may benefit from economies of scale, reducing the per square foot cost.

Condition Of The Existing Concrete Floor

The condition of the existing concrete impacts the cost. Floors with many cracks and blemishes require more prep work, thereby increasing costs.

Removing Existing Flooring

Material	Cost Per Square Foot
Carpet Removal Costs	$0.11 – $0.56
Hardwood or Engineered Wood Removal	$1.50 – $4.50
Stone, Ceramic, or Porcelain Tile Removal	$1.50 – $4.00
Vinyl or Linoleum Removal	$0.50 – $1.00

Cost To Grind Concrete Floor

Grinding is essential for preparing the concrete before polishing. The level of grinding affects the final look and cost.

Level	Look	Grit Level	Reflective Clarity	# of Abrasive Passes
1) Flat (Ground)	Matte Finish	< 100	0-9	4
2) Satin (Honed)	Low Reflectivity	100 – 400	10-39	5
3) Semi-Polished	High Reflectivity	800+	40-69	6
4) Highly-Polished	Max Reflectivity	3000	70-100	7

Polished Screed Floor Cost

Polished screed floors typically cost less than polished concrete, roughly around $2 – $5 per square foot, depending on the design and finish.

Stained, Stenciled, Stamped & Scored Concrete Floors Cost

Customization options like staining, stenciling, stamping, and scoring add to the overall cost. Here are some common options:

Option	Cost Per Square Foot
Stencil Work	$1 – $10
Layering Staining	$18+
Acid Etching	$2 – $7
Stamping	$5 – $12
Scoring	$1 – $2

Sealing Polished Concrete Floors

Sealing is optional but recommended for protecting polished concrete floors from stains, acid, and chemicals. The sealing process costs between $2 and $4 per square foot.

Above Grade Concrete Floor

Above grade (above ground level) concrete floors may require additional reinforcement and bed preparation, influencing costs.

Tips For Color, Durability, And Cost Savings

Concrete Mix

• Opt for a high-quality concrete mix to ensure durability.
• Consider a mix with a high concrete-to-water ratio for added strength.

Colors & Stains

• Choose colors and stains that are suited for your home environment.
• Keep in mind that darker stains tend to show less wear and tear over time.

Looks

• Polished concrete mimics the appearance of high-end natural stones.
• Patterns and decorative designs can enhance the floor’s appearance.

Cost Of Polished Concrete Floors vs. Alternatives

Material	Cost Per Square Foot	Features
Polished Concrete	$3 – $15	Can last a lifetime, customizable colors/patterns, high durability
Stained Concrete	$2 – $10	Affordable, many design options, less durable
Tile Flooring	$10 – $50	Durable, water-resistant, cold, slippery when wet
Hardwood Flooring	$11 – $25	Increases home value, durable, low maintenance
Epoxy Flooring	$4 – $10	Slip-resistant, vibrant designs, great for garages
Carpet	$2 – $8	Comfortable, affordable, warm
Vinyl Flooring	$2 – $10	Durable, affordable, water-resistant, unique designs

Polished Concrete vs. Stained Concrete Cost

Polished Concrete	Stained Concrete
$3 – $12 per square foot	$2 – $10 per square foot
Costs more depending on the level of sheen, more durable	Costs less, more subject to wear and color fading

Cost Of Polished Concrete Floors vs. Tiles

Polished Concrete	Tiles
$3 – $12 per square foot	$10 – $50 per square foot
Stamped to look like tiles, does not absorb moisture	Some tiles offer more skid resistance, porcelain tiles good for bathrooms

Polished Concrete vs. Hardwood Cost

Polished Concrete	Hardwood
$3 – $12 per square foot	$7 – $25 per square foot
More durable, non-combustible, eco-sustainable	Increases home value, visually appealing, warmer on cold mornings

Polished Concrete vs. Epoxy Cost

Polished Concrete	Epoxy
$3 – $12 per square foot	$4 – $10 per square foot
More durable, lower maintenance	Resists chemicals, hides imperfections, slip-resistant

Cost Of Polished Concrete Floors vs. Carpet

Polished Concrete	Carpet
$3 – $12 per square foot	$2 – $8 per square foot
Durable, hypoallergenic, eco-sustainable	Comfortable, affordable, warm

Polished Concrete Floors Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
Longevity, withstands wear and pressure	No shock absorption, uncomfortable to stand on
Low maintenance, versatile designs	Can amplify sound, slippery when wet
Eco-friendly, mold and mildew resistant	Can be damaged by chemical or acid spills, can crack

Other Polished Concrete Costs

Item	Cost Per Square Foot
Polished Concrete Walls	$10 – $60
Polished Concrete Countertops	$60 – $130
Cement Laminate Floors	$2 – $8

Polished Concrete Walls Cost

Polished concrete walls offer a modern, sleek look, but they come at a higher cost due to the labor and materials involved.

Polished Concrete Countertops vs. Granite Cost

Polished Concrete	Granite
$60 to $130 per square foot	$50 to $200 per square foot
More design options, stain-resistant when sealed	Durable, unlikely to crack, higher maintenance

Hiring A Concrete Polishing Contractor

When hiring a concrete polishing contractor, it’s important to ask the right questions. Ensure they are experienced, licensed, and can provide examples of past work.

Questions To Ask

1. How long have you been polishing concrete floors?
2. Can you provide references from previous clients?
3. What is included in the cost estimate?
4. What kind of warranty do you offer?
5. How long will the project take to complete?

This comprehensive overview should help you understand the costs and benefits of polished concrete floors, allowing you to make an informed decision for your next flooring project.