--- title: "Polished Concrete Cost Per Square Foot: What Sets the Price" description: "HomeAdvisor reports $2 to $16 per square foot for polished concrete. See how Bob Vila's tiers differ, what grinding, sealing and repairs add, and what to ask." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/polished-concrete-cost-per-square-foot publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- Floors: 6 min read, published October 23, 2026 # Polished Concrete Cost Per Square Foot: What Sets the Price HomeAdvisor reports most polished concrete floor jobs cost $2 to $16 per square foot. Bob Vila splits it by design: $2 to $8 for basic, $5 to $12 for more gloss or color, $8 to $16 for custom. Slab repair, extra grinding passes, stain and sealer add cost. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![Polished concrete showroom floor finished by AES with vehicles on display](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/commercial-concrete-polishing.ChGl4SgW_2559Rg.webp) ![Glossy gray and blue epoxy floor with yellow safety striping](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/dscn0706.DAXILv77_XkC8P.webp) ![Polished concrete floor in an empty industrial building finished by AES](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/industrial-concrete-polishing.D_DrpQyt_rjOG1.webp) ## How much does polished concrete cost per square foot? HomeAdvisor reports that most polished concrete floor jobs cost between $2 and $16 per square foot. The price depends on the size of the area, the complexity of the job, the type of concrete and any decorative elements. These are national figures, not AES prices. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). Bob Vila, in an article published in 2022, splits the range by how much design you want. Floor type Bob Vila’s reported cost per square foot Basic polished floor, simple color, more matte $2 to $8 More gloss or multiple colors $5 to $12 Highly customized, patterns and vibrant colors $8 to $16 HomeAdvisor also ties price to design, and it says simple designs cost less than advanced patterns with faux finishes. It reports homeowners spend $4,500 on average, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 per project. The sources do not agree. CPC Floor Coatings, a floor coating contractor, reports a total of $2.25 to $7.00 per square foot. Homewyse reports a national average that starts at $7.89 to $9.34 per square foot in May 2026. No source explains the full gap, so ask each bidder what the price includes. Compare any bid to the tier it matches, not to one average. ## What is included in the base price? The base price covers grinding the slab and polishing it to a sheen. [Concrete polishing](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/polished-concrete) is a mechanical process. Grinding moves through finer [grit](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/grit) levels, and a [densifier](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/densifier) hardens the surface. HomeAdvisor says the initial grind is included in the standard process. AES describes the process in two steps. Step one is [concrete grinding](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/concrete-grinding), which removes unevenness, extra concrete or adhesive stuck to the surface. Step two is polishing, which brings out the final high-gloss finish. Sealing and staining are optional extras. See AES’s [concrete polishing](https://www.aes-stl.com/concrete-polishing) page for how AES describes the service. ## What adds to the price? Extras fall into three groups: shine, color and condition of the slab. Add-on What the sources report Extra grinding passes for more shine HomeAdvisor: $3 to $5 per square foot Each additional level of polish Bob Vila: $0.35 to $0.75 per square foot Staining HomeAdvisor: $2 to $10 per square foot Sealing, with cleaning and prep HomeAdvisor: $0.85 to $1.60 per square foot Repairing a damaged slab Bob Vila: $0.50 to $2 per square foot; CPC Floor Coatings: $0.50 to $3.00 for extensive repairs Total resurfacing Bob Vila: $4 to $10 per square foot Removing an existing floor Bob Vila: $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot, disposal may add cost HomeAdvisor adds that commercial floors in warehouses and showrooms often need higher-strength concrete and may include staining or stenciling, which raises cost over a simple residential floor. In smaller residential rooms, it says tight space can limit equipment and may raise labor costs. Look at the two grinding lines. HomeAdvisor says extra passes add $3 to $5 per square foot. Bob Vila says each extra level of polish adds $0.35 to $0.75. They may measure different things, and they are far apart. Ask your contractor what a higher sheen costs on your floor and what grit it ends at. ## Does the condition of my slab change the price? Yes, and often more than the finish you choose. Bob Vila says a slab with significant damage must be repaired before a polished floor can be installed. Cracks, pits, old coatings, paint and glue all need to come off first. Older St. Louis buildings can have a bigger prep job. Floors that once held vinyl or asphalt tile may carry adhesive that needs removal. If tile or glue is old, test it for asbestos before grinding it. Our [concrete floor prep guide](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/concrete-floor-prep) explains when grinding, adhesive removal and moisture control are needed. For the testing side, see [asbestos in older St. Louis homes](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/asbestos-in-older-st-louis-homes). New concrete adds a timing question. Read [how long concrete should cure before polishing](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-should-concrete-cure-before-polishing) before you schedule a crew. Moisture is the other hidden cost. Water vapor through a slab can harm sealer or a coating. Our post on [vapor barriers under concrete](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/do-you-need-a-vapor-barrier-under-a-concrete-floor) explains the fix. AES lists [moisture barriers](https://www.aes-stl.com/moisture-barriers) as its own service. ## What would my floor cost, as a rough check? Multiply your floor area by the range for the finish you want. This is arithmetic on national figures, not a bid. 1,000 square foot floor Math Result Basic polish 1,000 x $2 to $8 (Bob Vila) $2,000 to $8,000 More gloss or multiple colors 1,000 x $5 to $12 (Bob Vila) $5,000 to $12,000 Highly customized 1,000 x $8 to $16 (Bob Vila) $8,000 to $16,000 Add sealing 1,000 x $0.85 to $1.60 (HomeAdvisor) $850 to $1,600 Add staining 1,000 x $2 to $10 (HomeAdvisor) $2,000 to $10,000 Do not add every row. A basic floor plus sealing is a common pairing. A custom floor may already include color and sealer. Ask each bidder to list what is in the number. ## Which finish should I price first? Start with how the floor will be used. AES lists showrooms, warehouses, hospitals, commercial kitchens, garages and schools among the places that most commonly choose concrete polishing and finishing. Heavy traffic is where a durable, low-maintenance surface pays off. For a shop, garage or warehouse, price a basic polish plus sealer first. For retail or a showroom where looks matter, price the mid tier. Treat custom color and patterns as the premium option. AES also names grinding, polishing, sealing and staining as its concrete finishing services, so ask for each as a separate line. If a coating suits the space better, compare [polished concrete vs epoxy](https://www.aes-stl.com/compare/polished-concrete-vs-epoxy) before you decide, and read AES’s [concrete finishing FAQs](https://www.aes-stl.com/concrete-finishing-faqs). ## How much does a polished floor cost over its life? Cost per square foot is only the start. AES says concrete polishing is low maintenance and durable, and that places with heavy traffic may need to redo their concrete finishing every 5 to 10 years, with a quick, affordable process and very little downtime. HomeAdvisor says polished concrete floors last 20 years or more when installed by licensed professionals and maintained with proper care. The two statements describe different use. Our post on [how long polished concrete lasts](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-does-polished-concrete-last) goes into that. AES does not publish a number for lighter-use floors or for the cost of a redo. Ask for a written note of what a refinish would involve. ## How do I compare polished concrete bids? Use the checklist below with each bid: 1. What square footage does the price cover, and does it include edges and corners? 2. How many grinding passes, and what final grit? 3. Is a densifier and a sealer included? 4. Is stain or dye included, and how many colors? 5. How will cracks and joints be handled? 6. What is the plan for adhesive, paint or old coatings? 7. Who tests suspect tile or glue for asbestos? 8. How long is the floor out of use? Commercial floors follow the same logic. AES provides [commercial concrete polishing](https://www.aes-stl.com/commercial-concrete-polishing) and also lists [concrete sealing](https://www.aes-stl.com/concrete-sealing) and [concrete staining](https://www.aes-stl.com/concrete-staining) as services. If you cannot decide between polished concrete and a coating, read [polished concrete vs epoxy](https://www.aes-stl.com/compare/polished-concrete-vs-epoxy). ## Next step For a real price, give AES the floor size, what is on the slab now and the finish you want. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). See [concrete polishing](https://www.aes-stl.com/concrete-polishing) for the services AES lists. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does polished concrete cost per square foot? HomeAdvisor reports most jobs cost between $2 and $16 per square foot, depending on area, job complexity, concrete type and decorative elements. Bob Vila reports $2 to $8 for a basic floor. CPC Floor Coatings reports $2.25 to $7.00. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact. ### Do HomeAdvisor and Bob Vila agree on extra grinding? No. HomeAdvisor says each extra grinding pass for more shine adds $3 to $5 per square foot. Bob Vila says every additional level of polish adds $0.35 to $0.75 per square foot. The gap is large, so ask any contractor what each added pass costs. ### What does sealing and staining add? HomeAdvisor reports sealing at $0.85 to $1.60 per square foot, including cleaning and surface preparation, and staining at $2 to $10 per square foot. Those are national figures that vary by contractor and slab. Ask your contractor to list sealing and staining as separate lines. ### Does a damaged slab cost more to polish? Yes. Bob Vila says a slab with significant damage must be repaired before polishing, and expects $0.50 to $2 per square foot for repairs. Total resurfacing, if the floor is past basic repair, is likely $4 to $10 per square foot. ### How long does a polished concrete floor last? AES says places with heavy traffic may need to redo their concrete finishing every 5 to 10 years, and calls the redo quick and affordable with very little downtime. AES does not publish a figure for lighter-use floors. ## Terms on this page - [Concrete grinding](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/concrete-grinding) - [Polished concrete](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/polished-concrete) - [Densifier](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/densifier) - [Grit](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/grit) ## Sources 1. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 2. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (grinding passes)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 3. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (staining)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 4. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (sealing)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 5. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (initial grind)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 6. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (design)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 7. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost?](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 8. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (mid tier)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 9. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (custom)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 10. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (polish level)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 11. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (repair)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 12. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (repair cost)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 13. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (resurfacing)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 14. [Bob Vila: How Much Does a Polished Concrete Floor Cost? (floor removal)](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 15. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (average)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 16. [HomeAdvisor: What Do Polished Concrete Floors Cost (life span)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/flooring/polished-concrete-floor-cost/) 17. [CPC Floor Coatings: How Much Does It Cost to Polish Concrete Floors?](https://info.cpcfloorcoatings.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-polish-concrete-floors) 18. [CPC Floor Coatings: How Much Does It Cost to Polish Concrete Floors? (repairs)](https://info.cpcfloorcoatings.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-polish-concrete-floors) 19. [Homewyse: Cost to Polish Concrete](https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_polish_concrete.html) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on October 23, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Concrete Floor Prep: Grinding, Adhesive Removal and Moisture ChecksConcrete floor prep means getting a slab clean, sound, flat and dry before any new finish goes on. Grind to remove coatings and level high spots, strip old adhesive (after an asbestos check on older floors), and test moisture. Skipping any step is the most common reason a new floor fails early.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/concrete-floor-prep) - [Asbestos in older St. Louis homes: where it hides and what to doAsbestos can hide in floor tile, floor adhesive, siding, roof shingles, textured walls, pipe wrap, furnace parts and attic insulation. About 87% of St. Louis city housing units and 68% of St. Louis County units were built before 1980. The only way to know is a lab test from a certified inspector.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/asbestos-in-older-st-louis-homes) - [What drives asbestos removal costAsbestos removal cost depends mainly on how much material there is, where it sits, how hard it is to reach, and what testing, notice fees and disposal the job needs. Angi's 2026 national average is $2,260. AES publishes no asbestos prices and quotes each job after a survey.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/asbestos-removal-cost) - [Epoxy Garage Floor Cost in St. Louis: Price Per Square FootAngi reports that epoxy flooring in St. Louis averages $2,524, with most projects from $1,537 to $3,510, or $2 to $12 per square foot. Prep, epoxy type and floor size set your price. Bob Vila and Homewyse report different national figures. AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use /contact.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/epoxy-garage-floor-cost-in-st-louis) - [How long does polished concrete last? Traffic, sealing, redoAdvanced Environmental Services says places with heavy traffic may need to redo their concrete finishing every 5 to 10 years. The redo is a quick and affordable process that needs very little downtime. The concrete itself is durable and low maintenance. Foot traffic and sealing are the main things that set how long the finish looks good.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-does-polished-concrete-last) - [How long should concrete cure before polishing? 28 days and dryPlan on at least 28 days. Reliance Concrete Polishing says concrete typically takes at least 28 days to fully cure, and it advises waiting up to 28 days before grinding. Curing is not the same as drying. Wagner Meters warns that polishing a slab that is not dry enough can trap moisture inside it, so test before you seal.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-long-should-concrete-cure-before-polishing) ## Request your custom environmental remediation estimate Contact us for a free environmental remediation or restoration estimate and a personalized solution to your problems. [Or call (314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662)