Tired of expensive concrete

I know everyone is tired of expensive concrete, but what’s driving these prices, and how can we fix it? Tim, you’re a concrete guy—what’s causing these price increases, and what are people dealing with right now?

Tim: Well, it’s really about availability. The trucks can only unload so fast, and there’s a limited number of them. Currently, a lot of infrastructure spending from the government is tying up many of the concrete plants and trucks. This is hurting the smaller contractors because it’s hard to compete with companies that have deep pockets. It’s tough to even get concrete early in the day—smaller contractors who don’t pour every day are waiting for second or third rounds, and they’re paying exorbitant prices.

I was looking at the Concrete Financial Insights Index, which tracks concrete pricing, and just this year alone, we’re seeing significant price increases. That’s expensive concrete. And that doesn’t even take into account the total cost of concrete, which includes installation, demolition, and other associated expenses.

Host: Tim, tell us more about what goes into replacing concrete. If someone wanted to replace the concrete on their patio, what’s the total cost involved, beyond just repairing what’s already there?

Tim: Well, first, you’ve got to bid the job and win it. Once that’s done, if the concrete is cracked, stained, or worn out, you’ll need to jackhammer it, break it into pieces, load it into a truck, haul it to the dump, and pay for disposal. Then, you need to return, grade the area, and prep the soil with stone or whatever is required in your region. Afterward, if reinforcement is necessary, you put that in, call the truck, pour the concrete, and finish it. There’s a lot of work that goes into removing and replacing concrete.

Host: And even the cost of aggregates within the concrete has skyrocketed. Plus, labor costs have risen due to inflation—people need to earn more to meet their basic expenses. So, Tim, if I have a patio with cracks and it’s not looking great, what are my options?

Tim: Well, you can tear it out and replace it, but that’s expensive, and there’s no guarantee it won’t crack again. There are only a few guarantees with concrete: it’s fireproof, theft-proof, and it’s going to crack. The goal is to control where it cracks. But if you have expansive soil, you could end up with a similar look to what you have now.

A great option is an overlay. It doesn’t require removal, and cracks can be incorporated into a pattern. Expansion joints, which are designed to control cracking, can also be integrated into the design. Overlays offer unlimited patterns, colors, and shapes. This method involves troweling cement over tape to create the pattern, and it’s much simpler and more cost-effective than full concrete removal.

Host: Are there various color options, or are we limited to shades of gray?

Tim: You can choose any color or combination of colors. If you wanted to mimic a Venetian style, for example, that can be done with color matching and different techniques.

Host: If you’re applying an overlay, how does it adhere to the concrete without chipping off?

Tim: We use what we call engineered cement. It’s a thin blend of white cement and specially shaped sand that gives excellent adhesion and hardness. The blend is mixed with a polymer that acts like glue to bond it to the concrete. It’s extremely durable and will last a long time, as long as you’re not bridging expansion joints or cracks.

Host: Are there any chemicals in the process that homeowners or installers should be concerned about?

Tim: Not really. We don’t use silica fume in our cements anymore because there are better, safer alternatives now. We recommend a solvent-borne sealer, which, if allowed by your municipality, is long-lasting and effective. Once it dries, usually within an hour, there’s no smell or fumes. If you’re working indoors or in an enclosed space, a respirator might be a good idea, but it’s usually unnecessary outdoors.

Host: How long does the entire process take from start to finish?

Tim: It depends on temperature, humidity, and other factors, but typically, you can trowel about 200 to 300 square feet per hour. For a small job, you could be done in a day. For larger jobs, it might take two to three days, but it’s much quicker than removing and replacing concrete.

Host: How does the timeline compare to redoing concrete entirely?

Tim: Removing and replacing concrete takes significantly longer. A demo crew is larger, and you need more manpower and days to complete the job. With an overlay, you need fewer people and less time—definitely fewer man-hours.

Host: What about cost? How much can homeowners expect to save by choosing an overlay instead of redoing the concrete?

Tim: It depends on where you’re located, but you can expect to save at least a couple of dollars per square foot. You’ll also get a better-looking, custom-designed surface that performs better and is easier to maintain.

Host: What if something happens and the overlay gets damaged? Does it need to be completely redone?

Tim: The great thing about overlays is they’re easy to repair. I offer a two-year warranty, and after that, a maintenance agreement where I come back, do touch-ups if needed, and reseal it. If there’s a small issue, you don’t need to tear the whole thing out—just retape the affected area, apply another thin coat, color match it, and reseal. It’ll look brand new.

Host: From a contractor’s perspective, how do the margins compare between standard concrete and overlay systems?

Tim: The margins are much higher with overlays. You don’t need a big crew, and you’re not running around looking for unprofitable jobs just to keep your guys busy. With overlays, you’re looking at 30% to 40% profit margins compared to maybe 10% with traditional concrete.

Host: How does someone get started in this business?

Tim: We offer training in Phoenix and other locations, plus video tutorials that guide you step-by-step. Start by practicing on some sample boards, then do your own patio or a friend’s. Once you’re comfortable, you can begin taking on jobs and charging for them.

Host: What surfaces can be mimicked with overlays?

Tim: You can replicate slate, travertine, flagstone, wood grain, and more. It depends on what the customer wants.

Host: I saw a video of a patio you did for a tennis coach, and he put a heavy grill on the surface right after. Is it really that resilient?

Tim: Yes, it’s extremely durable. You can walk on it right away, and it reaches full strength within three to five days. Just avoid dragging heavy metal furniture across it for the first few days.

Host: Any final thoughts for our listeners?

Tim: If you’re tired of expensive concrete and interested in getting started, reach out to me. I’m happy to offer advice and share what I’ve learned over the past 30 years. It’s a great business, and I love helping people succeed.

Host: Where can people reach you?

Tim: You can email me at tim@icoproducts.com or call or text me at 602-258-1114. Our website is www.icoproducts.com, and we’re also on Instagram and Facebook.