The short answer……maybe? That is if you have perfect, newly poured or perfect existing concrete substrate. Meaning no cracks, voids, stains, ponds, spalling, etc. then “maybe” an installer can put down a spray texture for $2.50 a square foot “maybe?!”. In Puerto Rico I have given the $2.50 -$3.00 a square foot price range estimate and have been told “We can get TILE installed cheaper than that!”. And yes you can! And you get what you pay for. $1.00 a square foot or less for tile and $1.00 a square foot or less for mortar/adhesive AND labor AND grout! Think about what you get for $2 bucks a square foot. When the tile cracks and/or lifts (which it will) will the contractor come back and fix it? If something goes wrong during the installation will the contractor have enough funds to cover the situation? How could he? will he return and fix it out of his own pocket? probably not! But you wanted cheap! And now you must live with or pay to have it fixed which you would have spent the money to do the job right in the first place would have to look for someone to fix it CHEAP!
But I find here in Puerto Rico ‘in general’ people & businesses want it cheap, and I mean any service and they want ‘QUALITY’ work that cost more than what they want to pay and then they want you to do a little extra and not charge for it because you are already there….This is a mindset. This mindset will drive contractors crazy! and out of business..
In general, no installing decorative concrete is NOT cheaper than tile (here in Puerto Rico). But it is competitive in pricing if you are considering good quality tile not the $.50 to $1 SF tile. Also in general, when you get a decorative concrete job the installer usually takes extra care to do a nice job and thinks of him/her self as an artisan/craftsman much less than an installer. Also usually, you are getting a a one of a kind job, yes someone in your neighborhood may have something similar but usually the contractor will discuss design ideas with the client and give the client something unique for their home. I know for each client I meet and give a proposal to I look for some design feature to give the client that one of a kind job even at $2.50 a square foot…
Here in Puerto Rico I try to educate potential clients regarding the pricing but mostly it seems to no avail. Yet now and then I get someone who understands and then we get a nice job. Personally I’d rather not get the work than cut myself short and leave a bad or unfinished job behind……
What do you think?
Tags: acid stain, concreto decorativoparedes, Decorative Concrete, estampado, floors, Pisos, spray texture, stamped concrete, stencil, walls
