Concrete polishing is a popular choice for flooring in homes and commercial spaces due to its durability and low maintenance. However, many people hesitate to install polished concrete floors because they are unsure of the cost.
Many factors determine the cost of polished concrete floors. In the following post, we’ll discuss how the surface’s size, condition, desired glossiness and location affect the price so you can make a rough estimate for your space.

How Size Affects Concrete Polishing Cost

The size of the area to be polished is one of the most significant factors that influence the cost of concrete polishing. The larger the surface, the more time and resources it takes to complete the project.

Many contractors charge per square foot, so measuring the length and width of your floor and multiplying them is a perfect first step to estimating the cost. A general range of prices goes from $3 to $15 per square foot.

To pinpoint where you might fall in this price range, you must understand the other factors in concrete polishing costs.

Starting Condition of your Concrete

The condition of the concrete also affects the cost of polishing. The surface must be relatively smooth before the rest of the work can proceed.

If the concrete is new and in good condition, it may not require much
preparation before polishing. Therefore, these floors will end up costing you less to polish.

However, if the concrete is damaged or has stains, it requires more preparation. Grinding, filling cracks, and applying a primer ready your floor for polishing, and that work adds to the cost.

Desired Gloss Level and Concrete Polishing Cost

The desired polish level is another factor that affects your project’s cost. Four levels of glossiness are used in the concrete industry, which are:

  • Level 1 Flat: The surface appears slightly hazy with little clarity or reflection.
  • Level 2 Satin: The finished surface shows a slight reflection from overhead lights.
  • Level 3 Semi-Polished: The surface reflects overhead or side lighting well.
  • Level 4 Highly-Polished: These surfaces look wet from distances, and you’ll see your reflection when looking down at them.

A higher level of polish requires more steps, equipment, and time, which increases the cost. For example, a Level 1 finish only requires progressing to 100 grit polisher, while Level 4 needs 3000 grit and specialized burnishing pads.

Project Location and Concrete Polishing Cost

The price of concrete polishing can change by location, even from city to city. If you live far away from contractors, they might charge more for travel.

There’s also supply and demand to account for. If many people in your area need concrete polishing services, the price might be lower, but only when there are enough workers to do the jobs.

If you’re wondering about concrete polishing costs in Ottawa, give Ottawa Concrete Polishing a call, and we’ll come up with a quick, free and accurate estimate for you. Understanding this blog post will help make the process easy, so we can start working on your floors as soon as possible!