How Much Is Stamped Concrete?

Stamped Concrete Cost Factors

Many contractors charge $8 to $28 per square foot to install stamped concrete pavers, which cover labor and materials. If itemized, materials are usually up to $1,000, while the rest of the bill covers labor. A breakdown of materials and labor is approximately $2 to $3 per square foot for labor and $6 to $15 per square foot for the material. 

Beyond materials, the complexity of the design drives up the price the most.

Stamped Concrete Materials Price

When itemized, materials cost around $1,000. This includes 3.5 cubic feet of concrete for a total of $650. The remainder goes toward buying all the needed chemicals and tools. 

Additional materials may include:

• Color hardener

• Powdered or liquid release agent

• Concrete cure and sealer

• Stamp tamper

• Chisels

Average Labor Cost to Stamp Concrete

Labor for a concrete stamping project costs $2 to $3 per square foot. The price of labor is high per square foot because it's a multi-process, time-intensive task. The concrete is poured, colored, stamped, then left to set. After the initial curing time, a concrete washing process removes some of the colors. Next comes additional coloring, hand-finishing, and sealing. 

A standard stamped concrete driveway of around 190 square feet can cost up to $3,000 in labor alone. If the area requires excavation or an existing driveway or patio needs ripping up, you'll need to increase your labor budget by around 50%.

Stamped Concrete Patterns Cost

When using simple stamps to cover the entire surface, basic designs cost $8 to $15 per square foot. Adding a border in a different pattern raises the price to $12 to $18 per square foot. If the design needs hand-tooled accents, expect to pay $18 to $28 per square foot.

No matter how complex you want to make the design, there are many different stamp styles to consider, such as:

• Cobblestone: This random interlocking pattern looks like cobblestones with rounded corners and irregular edges. The appearance resembles hand-cut, worn-down stones.

• Yorkstone: The interlocking surface texture is similar to fractured stone. It has a weathered appearance with rough corners and edges.

• Fractured slate: Another random interlocking pattern, the natural texture features straight edges and squared corners. It provides a spotless finish.

• Fractured earth: As an embossing skin, this is a large stamp that covers a wide area and needs hand scoring to finish. The look resembles ancient, compact ground with natural cracks.

• Fractured slate (embossing skin): While the interlocking pattern for fractured slate offers a squared-off tile look, the embossing skin gives the appearance of a huge, single piece of slate. It can actually make a small area look bigger.

• Riverstone: This embossing skin has a busy but pleasing look. It replicates the appearance of stone that running water has smoothed out over the years.

• Ashlar stone: This is a random interlocking pattern with sharp edges and square corners. The surface texture is similar to split stone. It has a nice hand-worked look.

• Cobblestone Sorrento: This is similar to the random interlocking cobblestone, but the “stones” are uniform in size and evenly spaced in a stair-step pattern. It has rounded corners and irregular edges to create a hand-cut look.

• Natural stone rock garden: This gives the appearance of inlaid garden stones in various shapes and sizes. The surface texture is smooth and flat with rounded edges for a warm look.

• Sandstone: This is a random interlocking pattern that gives a natural, rough finish with rounded and worn edges. It’s similar to the rock garden pattern, but the stones are larger.

• Limestone European fan: An eye-catching pattern, the “stones” fan out in attractive sprays. Rounded corners and irregular edges give a hand-chiseled appearance.

Colored Stamped Concrete Cost

Single color designs are $8 to $10 per square foot. If you add a stamp, then it is $10 to $15 per square foot. For concrete with two-tone designs featuring a border, expect to pay $12 to $18 per square foot. When you need multiple colors, the square footage price could reach $15 to $20.

Thickness

The thicker the concrete, the more you'll pay per square foot. But that doesn't mean you should opt for the thinnest layer possible. Remember, thicker concrete is stronger and more durable. If you're laying a stamped concrete patio, the ideal thickness of the concrete is around4 inches. This is a nice compromise between strength and cost because patios typically don't have to tolerate excessively heavy loads. 

If, on the other hand, you're installing a stamped concrete driveway, the minimum recommended thickness is 6 inchesand, to withstand the weight of multiple vehicles and heavier vehicles long term, you may want to consider opting for an 8-inch slab.

While thicker concrete costs more per square foot upfront, it saves you money in repair, maintenance and replacement costs over time.

Enhancements

Stamped concrete enhancements cost anywhere from $0.35 to $1.75 per square foot and can increase strength and durability. Additionally, some reinforcements provide additional features, like insulation and waterproofing.

Wood Stamped Concrete Cost

Since wood-stamped concrete uses multiple tones to create realistic wood grain, this design costs $15 to $28 per square foot. At the upper end of the range, you can have minute details added by hand, such as nail heads in the boards. Wood stamps look like pine boards that have been lightly sand-blasted and finished with beveled edges. The higher price is well worth it since you get the appearance of natural wood with the durability of concrete.

Stained and Stamped Concrete Cost

Stained and stamped concrete costs $10 to $28 per square foot. Basic designs in one color are $10 to $15 for each square foot, while complex multi-color finishes are up to $28 per square foot. Complex designs cost a lot more due to the amount of time and effort they take.

Stamped Concrete Cost by Square Foot

Patios cost anywhere from $8 to $28 per square foot when made using stamped concrete. A 12-foot-by-12-foot patio costs around $1,200 to $4,000, while larger 16-foot-by-20-foot patios are about $2,600 to $9,000.

Stamped Concrete Patio Cost

The average 16-by-18-foot stamped concrete patio costs $2,600. Again, the price of your patio depends on the size of the patio, the level of detail on your stamped concrete, the design and the thickness of the concrete slabs.

Cost of Stamped Concrete Patio Steps

Stamped patio concrete steps cost $200 to $400 per step. Although this adds to the project total, adding steps to your patio can have a cohesive effect on your outdoor space. The price of patio steps depends on the quality of the cement, the size of the steps, the type of steps and whether you want coatings and treads. 

Stamped Concrete Driveway Cost

The average-sized 16-foot-by-40-foot driveway costs $5,100 to $18,000, or $11,500 on average. The higher cost reflects the enormous space spanning 640 square feet. Contractors usually have to bring in a team to complete the design before the surface dries, especially for complex pieces.

Cost Factors

As with other stamped concrete projects, your driveway’s total price depends on the quality of the concrete, the design, and the size of the driveway. Since pricing is largely based on the square footage, larger driveways will fall on the higher end of the price range, whereas smaller and narrower driveways will cost less. 

Add approximately $2 to $6 per square foot to your project if you’re removing old concrete. Material that’s reinforced with wire mesh or steel bars will cost closer to the higher end of that price range. 

Another major factor is the thickness of your driveway. The foundation for your driveway needs to be thicker than that of a walkway that receives light foot traffic, as you’ll have heavy vehicles frequently moving across the driveway.

Stamped Concrete Walkway Cost

For a 2-foot-by-50-foot walkway, you will pay between $800 to $2,800 on average. This price range covers all the different basic, intermediate, and complex designs. 

Cost Factors

The total price of your concrete walkway will increase if you want to make the pathway longer or wider, or if you add multiple colors, a border, or hand-tooled accents to your walkway. 

Cost to Install Stamped Concrete Sidewalk

Expect to pay $1,600 to $5,600 for a 200-square-foot sidewalk. Most stamped concrete sidewalks cost $3,600 on average, though longer paths or complex designs are more expensive.

Stamped Concrete Flooring Cost

For a 320-square-foot living room, stamped concrete floors cost about $2,600 to $9,000. Expect to pay around $5,800 on average. 

Cost Factors

The total price of stamped concrete flooring depends on the design and colors you choose. You might wish to add more patterns or complex designs for interior concrete flooring to give it depth and warmth. These additions will increase the cost of your flooring but also add aesthetics to your home.

Decorative Concrete Basement Floor Cost

If you want decorative concrete basement floors, expect to pay $5,600 to $19,600 or $12,600 on average. This price covers 700 square feet in a basic to complex design. You’ll pay more for larger spaces, especially if your installer cannot complete the project in smaller sections.

Stamped Concrete Wall Cost

A stamped concrete wall costs around $1,700 to $4,200 on average for a standard 12-by-12-foot wall. If you already have an existing concrete wall, then you’ll pay far less to apply a thin layer of concrete over the existing surface and then emboss the wall with the design of your choosing. 

Resurfacing existing concrete costs $7 to $12 per square foot on average compared to $12 to $28 per square foot for a new installation.

Cost Factors

If you’re building a new wall, the price of a stamped concrete wall depends on its size, the design complexity, and the color scheme. Basic designs will fall towards the lower end of the price range, whereas more detailed and complex designs will fall on the higher end of the price range.

Stamped Concrete Pros & Cons

Stamped concrete comes with all the benefits of standard concrete while providing a more attractive finish. But it’s not for everyone. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of installing stamped concrete.

Pros

• Long-lasting 

• Adds to your home’s appearance

• May add value to your property

Cons

• Requires special concrete cleaning and sealant every two to five years

• Colors may fade in hot or cold weather

• May crack in regular freeze-thaw cycles

Stamped Concrete Sealing Costs

Sealing stamped concrete costs $0.13 to $0.20 per square foot. The total depends on the sealant type you choose. A water-based elastomeric sealer is the cheapest and creates a smooth appearance. Acrylic costs the most since it makes the surface look wet at all times. In the middle range, you can find a water-based clear coat that creates a natural finish.

DIY Pressed Concrete Patio Installation Cost vs. Hiring a Pro

You must complete stamped concrete patio designs quickly and precisely to achieve the best results. For that reason, it is almost always a good idea to hire a concrete stamping contractor near you. The only exception is if you have direct experience completing this type of project and the tools to get the job done right. Even then, you might need a team of experienced concrete patio installers to complete larger projects.

FAQs

What is stamped concrete, and is it expensive?

Stamped concrete refers to decorating concrete after the installer pours it into the forms. Professional landscaping and patio companies use the same type of concrete used in driveways and other projects. Its decorative finish is often meant to resemble the look of other building materials, such as brick, tile, and wood.

At $8 per square foot, basic designs are less expensive than paver blocks, brick, and slate. Complex designs can hit $28 per square foot, however, putting its price well above all other material options.

How much are Stampcrete prices?

Stampcrete has over 28 different stamp styles available at $150 to $450 apiece. They also sell their stamps in sets for $700 to $2,000, depending on the design. Their wood plank and slate stamps cost the most, while cobblestone and brick designs are the most affordable.

How much does stamped concrete overlay cost?

A decorative overlay costs $7 to $12 per square foot. Most 100-square-foot projects cost around $700 to $1,200. An overlay is a great option for existing surfaces you want to refinish. You can cut in a design, add multiple colors and polish it up to create your ideal finish.

How long does stamped concrete last?

When installed by a skilled stamped concrete expert near you, the surface should last up to 25 years. To protect your investment, you will also need to have the surface resealed every two to five years.