How Much Do Stained Concrete Floors Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Stained concrete floors remain a popular choice for their durability and style, with homeowners spending an average of $11,000, or $2 to $28 per square foot. Smaller jobs can run as low as $2,000, while high-end, design-heavy projects can reach $28,000. Proper budgeting and hiring professionals ensure cost-effectiveness, especially when factoring in the frequency of re-staining, which can significantly influence the overall expense over time.

Stained Concrete Floors Cost Factors

Several variables drive what you’ll pay to stain a concrete floor. Here’s how each factor can affect the total's upward or downward movement.

Surface Area

The size of your home is a significant cost factor because larger spaces require more time, labor, and materials. The table below outlines the average cost to stain your floors based on their square footage.

Type of Stain

Concrete stains are categorized into two types: acid-based and water-based. 

Acid-based stains chemically bond with the slab, creating earthy, marbled tones. Basic designs cost between $2 and $6 per square foot, while intricate, multi-color patterns can range from $12 to $25 per square foot. Choose acid stain when you want a one-of-a-kind, natural look.

Water-based stains sit on the surface and deliver uniform color in almost any shade. Material prices start at $2 per square foot, making them a budget-friendly pick when you want consistent, predictable color.

Labor

Labor costs play a significant role in the total price, often making up more than half of the overall cost to stain concrete floors. This is because staining requires specialized skills and is a labor-intensive process. Depending on the complexity of your design and your location, you can expect to pay between $2 and $14 per square foot in labor costs.

Stain Design

Stain offers everything from a single-color wash to intricate swirls and custom patterns. The more complex the design, the more time and labor it needs—and the higher the bill. High-end work with stencils or custom designs can cost between $12 and $25 per square foot.

Prep Work

Proper preparation is essential because stains highlight, rather than hide, every flaw. Any cracks, scuffs, or leftover sealers must be handled first for a smooth, even finish.

If your concrete has existing paint or sealers, you'll need to strip them before applying a new stain. Fixing imperfections like scuffs and scratches prevents them from disrupting the final look. Floor resurfacing costs an average of $3 to $5 per square foot.

Sometimes, damage may be too extensive to be repaired solely by resurfacing. Larger cracks or significant issues might require concrete repair, which costs between $800 and $2,700.

Once all imperfections are addressed, a thorough cleaning removes any remaining dust or debris.

Sealers

Investing in sealing improves the durability of a stained concrete floor, helping to preserve the color while reducing wear and tear. Different types of sealers come with varying price points—acrylic sealers are the most affordable, ranging from $0.85 to $1.15 per square foot, while polyurethane sealers average $0.95 to $1.10 per square foot. Both types are waterproof and straightforward to apply, but polyurethane sealers are thicker and deliver slightly more durability.

Epoxy sealer comes at a higher price point, averaging $3 to $7 per square foot. Although the upfront cost is higher, epoxy sealers are extremely durable and abrasion-resistant, which can increase the lifespan of your stained concrete. Epoxy is especially popular in high-traffic areas, such as garages and other outdoor spaces.

Flooring Removal

If you’re replacing your floors, you’ll pay extra to remove the existing flooring. Having a professional remove your old flooring costs an average of $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.

Stained Concrete Floor Replacement vs. Repair

If your stained concrete floor is showing signs of wear, consider repairs or replacement. Whether it’s better to repair or replace depends on the extent of the damage, the age of the floor, and your overall design goals.

Stained Concrete Floor Repair

Newer floors with just a few scuffs and scratches can usually be repaired professionally. In many cases, surficial scratches can be resolved by applying a new coat of sealer. If the scratches extend down to the concrete, you may need to grind and polish a section of the floor before a new sealant and finish can be applied.

Major floor repairs are more costly, particularly if there’s structural damage or damage to the subfloor. Subfloor replacement costs anywhere from $900 to $3,000 on average, but it may be necessary to preserve the structural integrity of your concrete floor.

Stained Concrete Floor Replacement

If your stained concrete floor has significant damage, such as extensive cracks, or if it’s older than 20 years and has already been repaired multiple times, replacing it may be a more cost-effective option. Replacement is also a good option if you want to change the look of your floor dramatically.

Layering a new stain over an old concrete floor that’s previously been stained may not yield the expected color. If you want to change the floor color or design significantly, replacement delivers more reliable results.

Do Stained Concrete Floors Increase Home Value?

Stained concrete floors may add value to your home, depending on location and buyer preferences. They are popular due to their durability, attractive appearance, and ease of maintenance. For homes vulnerable to fire, stained concrete offers the added benefit of being highly fire-resistant, which may result in lower insurance premiums compared to other flooring types, such as wood.

Concrete floors can also add value by reducing heating and cooling costs. Concrete naturally absorbs and releases heat in a slow cycle throughout the day and night, helping to balance your home's temperature and reduce energy bills.

Budgeting for Stained Concrete Floors

While staining a concrete floor is best left to the pros, especially when working with complex products like acid-based stains, you can keep your project budget-friendly with these tips:

• Stick to a single stain color: Adding multiple shades increases costs, so choosing one color helps you save.

• Opt for a simple design: Intricate patterns requiring stencils or hand-finishing significantly increase time and labor costs.

• Choose affordable sealers: Acrylic or polyurethane sealers are cost-effective and offer ample protection for most indoor spaces. An epoxy sealer may be worthwhile for high-traffic areas, such as garages.

• Maintain your floors regularly: Applying a fresh coat of sealer every two to four years helps extend the lifespan of your floors and reduces the likelihood of costly repairs.

• Compare quotes. Reach out to several concrete finishing professionals in your area to find the best price and service.

DIY vs. Hiring a Flooring Pro

A qualified concrete pro delivers a finish that looks good and lasts. Staining requires specialized equipment and expertise, making it a rare DIY project. Your contractor will recommend the right stain for your budget, handle the prep work, and apply the finish so it resists wear for years.

If you do decide to try a DIY approach, expect to pay $0.30 to $0.40 per square foot (roughly $60 per gallon of stain, with 1 gallon covering about 200 square feet). Additionally, a concrete etching solution is required, costing $20 per gallon. You should also budget for protective gloves and safety glasses ($20) and an acid-proof paint sprayer, which can cost $200 to purchase or $15 per hour to rent. While it is possible to stain a floor yourself, any mistakes are permanent, so hiring a professional may be the best choice for a flawless finish.

Contact a local concrete flooring pro today for a flawless, long-lasting finish.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.