What it costs to prepare a concrete slab
A slab has to be flat, clean and dry before anything goes on it, and it usually is not. Grinding takes off paint and adhesive, patching fills cracks, a moisture test decides whether a vapor coating is needed. For polished concrete or epoxy the prep is most of the job.
$6–$14.50 per square foot installed
Full range $3.50–$18. Typical installed cost is the middle half of the national range, materials and labor at average rates. Builder-grade product with the cheapest crew runs under it; premium product with a specialist runs over.
| Material | Installed | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Polished ConcreteThe slab you already own, ground and densified into a finish floor. | $6–$10 / sq ft | 50–100 yrs |
| Epoxy & Resinous CoatingsSeamless chemical- and impact-resistant coating systems. | $7–$14.50 / sq ft | 10–25 yrs |
Three things that change the price
- Grinding and profiling the surface
- Crack and joint repair
- Moisture mitigation if the test fails
Put your own square feet in
National averages: material plus installation per square foot from the same cost tables FlooringFAQ publishes, extras at typical contractor rates. Local labor moves the range; a quote far outside it deserves a question.
Want an actual local price?
Labor rates, removal and prep vary by town and by house. Local professionals can quote the scope above; compare them on the same square feet.
No obligation. You choose whether to contact the professionals who respond.