Get matched with top concrete finishing pros in Moundville, AL

Concrete contractors typically charge anywhere from $6 to $14 per square foot. Cost factors include job size, site prep, base material, accessibility, your location, concrete finish, and concrete thickness. Removal of existing concrete, asphalt, deck, pavers, and grass will cost anywhere from $1 to $6 per square foot. Homeowners can often save money by removing and disposing of existing pavers, decks, and grass. Breaking up and hauling away concrete and asphalt is difficult and time-consuming without the proper equipment and may be worth having the pros do that work.

The ideal base for concrete is even, firm, and permeable to encourage drainage. Depending on your project's weight requirements, a combination of gravel, sand, or other aggregates is best. While you can technically pour concrete over grass, dirt, or an old piece of concrete, you risk threatening the concrete's stability.

For homeowners, it’s better to dry grind concrete. Dry grinding is the method described above and can be done by experienced DIYers for smaller projects. Wet grinding requires a big volume of water, a way to collect the slurry created by the water and dust, and an environmentally-safe place to dispose of the slurry. In general, only professionals do wet grinding.  

Concrete stain should last for five to 20 years, depending on the type of stain you use. Acid-based concrete stains can last up to 20 years if they’re well-maintained, though you'll do well to reseal the concrete every few years. Water-based concrete stains will last about five years before the color begins to fade, especially on outdoor concrete projects that see UV light, rain, and snow. Most homeowners reseal their stained concrete every three to five years to maintain the color, regardless of the type of stain they used.