Stamped Concrete

Chicago

I just had a concrete guy tell me that stamped concrete costs 1/3 the cost of paver installation. Can anybody in the profession verify that claim?

I know it has come a very long way over the years. When they first started, guys were really learning their technique as they went along and I was hating it.

Lately though, I've seen a lot of really nice patterns and colors. Pair that up with the fact that it lasts longer than regular concrete because of how it's sealed etc.......I'm seriously considering the stuff.

Always Greener

can range from $7. - $10. a sq. ft. Depending on the design and patterns you select for your project. The reason for the low price is that concrete is much faster to install than say, Natural Stone Pavers. But Stamped Concrete doesn't have the durability and elegance of concrete pavers or natural stone pavers.

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Tscarborough

Maybe in Chigaco, but here it is about equal or a little less for concrete pavers, plus pavers are zero maintainence and have all the cracks pre-engineered.

Mike Finley

I've spent some time lurking around the stamp concrete industries sites and the common saying his how cheap it is. Here in Denver it isn't cheap, good stamped concrete work is a premium product with a premium price tag.

PipeGuy

Same here. In fact a couple of years ago a neighbor down the street had a colorized, patterned, asphalt driveway installed because it cost a lot less than stamped concrete. I thought for sure that the expense of concrete would leave it vulnerable to competiion from the cut-throat asphalt driveway market but I've never seen another one since.

joasis

I think as more guys get into stamped concrete, it will drive the prices down...now I don't know about the quality. We have done some stamped and some stenciled, and stamping is easier. I don't solicit concrete work or decorative concrete work, but on 2 spec homes I am building (my money) I am going to do ashler slate stamping in the living areas....acid stain after the dry in....I have been in a few homes with this, and it is amazing. I love it.

MinConst

For you guys that do this?
I have been thinking of using this for a pad I will be building a Lanai on in our new home in Fl. I have no idea of cost or pattern yet. It seems that seeing I have to have a pad poured anyway, stamping it will not be that much more expensive than the pad. Am I thinking right here?
In contrast, I would have the Pad poured and then lay tile down. We are not hard on our homes but I do want a durable floor in the Lanai.
I know pricing is different in other areas but what would be a rough idea of having this done in Spring Hill area and in a size of say 10 x 20?
I will of course do more research when we get there but I would like to narrow down my choices.

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Always Greener

You guys are right, even 30 miles east from me the price is higher or the same as pavers. But the farther west you go it's a lot cheaper. It all depends on the area you are working... I like pavers, the stamped concrete has a no WOW factor..IMO

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Mike Finley

No wow factor really? I must be seeing a different product then you are, the stuff is absolutely beautiful and fabulous when it is done right. Ever been to Vegas? Stamped concrete is all over the casinos out there and it's a great place to see the potential, those guys are pushing the envelope.

Cole

So you just want to do an over-lay on the concrete pad for the Lanai?

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Tscarborough

I would do stamped inside, but not on a driveway or patio.

MinConst

No I will need a new pad poured and either have them stamp it or i would tile it.

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Minichillo's Construction
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Cole

Oh ok, I understand now.

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Always Greener

Yea we are looking at different stuff.. I'm talking about the patio's that are being done at residential...I like to see pavers for patios.. The commercial work looks great. Two different worlds…

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PlasterMaster

I have seen some awesome stamped concrete jobs in my neighborhood in the burbs of chicago. And yes I've seen some real nice paver jobs. What some people here dont realize that in Chicago, there is so much competition that it drives the price down, especially on jobs such as stamped concrete. Man hours is always going to be the deiding factor in price in my area. Material is almost always such a minor amount, that yes it is factored into the costs, but compared to man hours, material is normally around 8-15% of the total cost. When a couple guys can come in one day and do the gravel and framing layout, and then have a few guys come in the next day and complete the job, it is often cheaper then having a few brickies come in and spend half the day laying out pavers and the other half day drinking pop and smoking under the sun. LOL When you have a truck dumping concrete, you have to move until the job is done. There is no down time sitting around. There is your difference in cost around this area anyway. In those areas that it isnt so competitive, then of course the costs are going to be very close. Make sense? I love both if both are done by talented workers.

eskerlite

In Boston Stamped concrete goes for 10-12$ a square ft. Same for raised aggregette patios. I install pavers for $18 a sft. not a third of the cost. Frost will crack a concrete patio in 5 years here. Try to fix a pipe under concrete.Paver, just lift them up and put them back down.

Phil Graves

Not all poured concrete is created the same. With pavers, there is at least a verifiable minimum industry standard for compressive strength, abrasive resistance, freeze-thaw durability and absorptive rates. Certainly factors like demand, competition and volume of work can eat up margins across the board, but pigment options, finishing options and the quality of the concrete coming out the back of the truck can vary wildly, as do their associated costs. As others have mentioned here already, the life cycle costs of a paver pavement will typically be lower that comparable materials due to their longevity, ease of repair and reusability of materials.

mas

stamped concrete looks really bad when it shifts and cracks.. Id never do it in a harsh northern climate.. it looks sweet when its new though.. it really sells a property i find

joasis

Like many things in construction, area dictates practicality...stamped concrete is becoming more popular here...I know I will be doing more, and I would have never considered pavers.

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UpIACrete

If done properly stamped concrete will look amazing. I have worked on some pool decks and patios that are absolutly amazing. Random acid staining of individual blocks can really spice up a patio. I live in a northern climate and have found the patios hold up just fine, IF proper compaction and rebar schedule are followed. I have nothing against pavers, but would never consider them knowing the many options out there for stamped and stenciled crete.

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