Concrete Stamping

joasis

Sounds cheap to me....in OKC, stamped concrete is going for $9 and up, to a high of $13 a sq/ft for new pours, and tearing out the existing would be an add.

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Dec Concrete

Yeah i think I could have been a bit higher. Just coming out of winter maybe I'm a bit hungary. I figured I'll profit about $7,000 That seems okay to me, or should I go for more?

kongcrete

I was just reading over these posts and I disagree with just about everyone.

Installing stamped concrete is NOT something you can just go learn at a two day seminar. This isnt acid staining. You have to be COMPLETELY experienced with regular flatwork concrete before you just decide to get into stamped concrete.
Setting forms, grade work, placing and finishing, knowing what to do in certain situations (that you will NEVER learn in a class) etc are the most important things. Coloring and stamping is just the icing on the cake.

The one thing I do agree on that someone said, is that stenciled concrete sucks and doesnt compair to a properly placed stamped job.

CR2

If that's your price you'll be working for free, you're @ $4.80/sf, I don't know how prices are in your area,but we are doing plain concrete tear out/redo for $9-$10/sf(labor and material), for stamping you have to add $3-$5(depending on intricacy and job specifics) and $1 for working arrround the tubing(more to worry about= more money), all this leaves you with a $14-$15/sf price, a lot lower than your estimate. Think twice about your price, it will be nothing easy or simple and if you're making no money at the end ,you'd be better off staying home or working for somebody else, I bet this is not what you want.
Good Luck!

CR2

Kongcrete I agree with you on the first part, but I disagree on the second one, properly done stencils will offer a nice, more even surface and a shallower profile, stamps and stencils are completely different systems with unique results each and cannot be compared, there are really bad stamping jobs too; I like stamping better because is easier, stencils are a pain in the b...., but they mean more money, we have to look at the bright side of every application and offer them all,since this makes us more competitive.
Regards!

joasis

I have used stencils with pretty good results. IMO they were really easy, and the look was pretty neat. The problem is in greater areas.

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BKFranks

I did it and never took any classes. I worked two days on a huge driveway with a guy who knew how to do it. 3 guys total, rented the stamps and the tamper. Goods stamps are expensive. One guy threw down the stain/release agent, while myself and another guy stamped.

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kongcrete

So because you "helped out" on a stamp job, now you can just go out and contract all kinds of concrete work right?

I wired up a ceiling fan once...I guess Im a qualified electrician

Im sorry for sounding like a jerk, but trust me it takes years of experience to become a journyman finisher that can take any concrete project from layout to finished product.

6stringmason

I guess I missed the part in his post where he said he was going to start contracting out business for stamping.

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

joasis

I missed it as well....and again, this isn't rocket science.

I never took any classes or seminars, just bought the stamps and asked questions. Since we already did concrete flatwork, this was not a giant leap. Now I would not recommend others just jump out there like I did, but it worked for me. BTW, the arrogant attitude from the local supplier nearly cost them all my business....when I am buying their products, I expect to be able to ask a technical question without the rolling eyes and the "you should take our $875 weekend seminar" BS.....and my response to the counterboy is this: "If you knew as much as you think you do, you would be out there doing it and not in here selling it....now get the manager, if you please." I understand they now offer free seminars to contractors, since every rental tool store and contractors supply is selling acids, sealers, and renting the stamps. When I buy the consumables now, I generally buy online.

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6stringmason

Couldnt agree more. They seem to think every Tom, Dick, and Harry that walks in there is a weekend warrior HD special that is willing to fork out cash for 'classes' that are basically common sense.

I had a local supplier tell me I couldnt get a certain type of self-leveling overlay product unless I took the class lol. So I went to the other side of town and got it from a different supplier.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

joecrete

I am a concrete producer. Mostly work with designers and faux artist I used stamps before.I learn to make my self. Now I mostly carve my concrete (overlay not full pour) and found it to be so much better and and realistic looking check some pics at chicagocrete.com

jrk651

don't just bid-it-to-git-it. Bid it to make a living. t/o & repour with stamp, you should be a min. of $10 psf for the slab. All other cost are above and beyond. Break down the bid so the customer can see that warm feet may not be worth nearly $20k. Stamping over wersbo is tricky, watch you bleed water, you may want to beef up the air in the mix to help

deco-art

I started stamped concrete three years ago. I have 10 sets of stamps. I would have to say that 65% of my work has been with the Vegas rock skins. It is a proline stamp. I own 8 sets of Cadillic concrete stamps.

yes.itsconcrete

who owns that many sets of cadillac's,,, altho i do note you didn't mention if you liked 'em or not,,, have noticed most pro stampers don't,,, what's your experience w/em ?

theconcreteco

Just joined this site. I have been stamping for 6 years and am not happy with my work when compared to stuff I see online. Lately we have been using liquid release and antiquing it. Do you guys use liquid or powder release? I think powder looks better and am probably going to switch back to it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

doubleaction

I use Liquid release mixed with powder release for color. I mix 1 gallon of liquid to 1 cup of powder to get the color. So far i haven't had any problems. And this way i can go back and spray more release on to areas to get more color. Here are a few pics of my last few jobs.

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CaliDesigns

I think that with any type of concrete, some of the most important parts are layout, set up, understanding slopes & elevations, etc. It's one thing to set up and stamp a 10 x10 square, it's a whole other ball game on more complex projects.

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Shark49

I am a general contractor up in the mountains of NC and have a potential client who wants to tear up the existing ceramic tiles off of his front and rear concrete decks and then do a stamped overlay. I could probably get away with adding an inch max.

I have never done this before as most work I have done is new "bare" sog concrete. I have no issue hiring a sub of course but my main question is what is the best course of action for this? I realize the surface would have to be cleaned/scarified and prepared to take on a new layer of whatever is chosen. Or maybe just clean it it really good and do a stain? Or would it be easier/cheaper to just demo the concrete and start anew? Do I try and steer him away and go back to a stone surface? Very curious!

I would need something that will handle the cold winters and hot summers we see up here.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Nate

Hoven

Brickform carries a stampable overlay but its not cheap. Around 40 to 50 bucks per bucket and it only covers about 12sf per. Its polymer based and adheres well. If your going to have it done definitely ask to see some pics. The stuff seams to hold up well. I have used it for small entry ways and things of that nature and that was 2 years ago no probs. Just make sure the contractor doing it uses S/O stamps (stampable overlay) the grout lines wont be as deep as the regular concrete stamps. Its specialty work so be prepared to pay a premium. You definitely get what you pay for out here. A good profile is key.