Rendering: BuildX
Prep, acid/water-based decorative stain and seal on existing concrete (floor or patio), materials and labor; one to two colors, intricate artwork excluded.
Apply Decorative Concrete Stain typically costs $3 to $12 per sq ft (national average as of 2026). Most straightforward jobs start near $3 per sq ft. Final pricing depends on material quality, project scope, local labor rates, and site conditions. Use our free calculator below for a personalized estimate.
Quality Level
Estimated Total Cost
200 sq ft • Standard Quality
National average — enter your ZIP for local prices.
Estimates are approximate and vary by location, project scope, and current market conditions. Contact a local contractor for an accurate quote.
Tell us about your project and we'll send it to contractors near you who do this work.
$2.55 – $10 per sq ft
Acid stain in two colors with light mottling over cleaned concrete, neutralized and rinsed, one coat of acrylic sealer
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do this| Component | Category | Low | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $1.35 | $5.40 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $1.05 | $4.20 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.36 | $1.44 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.24 | $0.96 | sq ft |
Prep, acid/water-based decorative stain and seal on existing concrete (floor or patio), materials and labor; one to two colors, intricate artwork excluded.
Typical apply decorative concrete stain pricing range per sq ft.
Starting price $3 per sq ft. National average as of 2026. This is a directional range. Final pricing depends on scope, materials, access, and local labor rates.
Estimates are approximate and vary by location, project scope, and current market conditions. Contact a local contractor for an accurate quote.
Acid-stained concrete floor with mottled earth-tone color and scored squares
Photo: Joel Bradshaw · Public domain · Source
Find a pro to do thisApply Decorative Concrete Stain usually lands between $3 to $12 per sq ft. That range reflects current national calculator data after materials, labor, supplies, equipment, and disposal are rolled together. Your real quote will move based on quantity, site conditions, finish level, and contractor availability in your ZIP code.
Prep, acid/water-based decorative stain and seal on existing concrete (floor or patio), materials and labor; one to two colors, intricate artwork excluded.
Material selections can move the budget faster than anything else, with current material allowances landing around $1.35 to $5.40 per sq ft.
Labor complexity is the next major swing factor, with installation or trade time currently averaging $1.05 to $4.20 per sq ft.
Smaller consumables still matter, because supplies are contributing about $0.36 to $1.44 per sq ft.
Specialty tools, access equipment, cleanup, and disposal can add another $0.24 to $0.96 per sq ft.
Scope changes, premium finishes, difficult access, demolition, and permit requirements can push the total toward the high end of the range. Cleaner access, standard finishes, and bundled work often keep the job closer to the low end.
Get multiple itemized bids, ask contractors to separate materials from labor, and confirm what is included before you compare totals. Scheduling during a slower season and bundling adjacent work can also reduce mobilization costs.
Keep specifications tight before work starts. Change orders are one of the fastest ways to blow past the original budget, especially when material lead times or specialty trades are involved.
DIY can make sense when you already own the tools, understand the prep requirements, and can tolerate schedule risk. Hiring a pro is usually the better move when mistakes would affect finish quality, code compliance, waterproofing, structural performance, or warranty coverage.
View local pricing for apply decorative concrete stain across 51 states.
Find contractors who list this service and ask for a written quote.
Cost guides for property owners. Contractor ID for the shops who do the work.
$3 – $12 per sq ft
Acid stain in two colors with natural mottling, neutralized and rinsed, two coats of acrylic sealer
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do this$3.75 – $15 per sq ft
Acid stain in two colors blended in layers for deeper variation, neutralized, two coats of clear urethane topcoat in satin sheen
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do thisUse the calculator range of $3 to $12 per sq ft as your baseline, then compare that against the time, tool rentals, material waste, and rework risk you would take on by doing the project yourself.
Most apply decorative concrete stain jobs start with site review, measurements, and material confirmation. From there the crew usually handles preparation, core installation or repair work, cleanup, and a final walkthrough to confirm the finished scope matches the quote.
Ask each contractor how they handle protection of adjacent finishes, debris removal, and change approvals. Those three points tend to separate a clean project from an expensive headache.