The Pain of Pricing Concrete Jobs Blind
You’ve probably been there: you quote a basic driveway at $5,500 and spend two full days on it, only to turn around and do a stamped patio that takes just as long — but earns you $9,800. Same crew. Same tools. Totally different profit.
Margins in concrete work aren’t just about job size. They’re about the type of finish, how well you price it, and how efficiently you close the deal. Every project has its own risks and rewards, but the difference in profitability often comes down to the kind of concrete finish you’re offering. If you’re not guiding your business toward more lucrative service types, you’re likely working twice as hard for half the return.
Regular vs. Colored vs. Stamped: Which Jobs Actually Pay?
🔹 Regular / Broom Finish
A basic broom finish is the foundation of most concrete work — literally. It’s fast to install, low on materials, and ideal for quick-turnaround jobs like driveways, sidewalks, and utility slabs. Pricing typically ranges from $8 to $11 per square foot, and because the labor is relatively light and predictable, you can knock out multiple jobs in a short span of time.
But here’s the catch: this is where competition is fiercest. The client shopping for broom finish is usually price-conscious, and small differences in quote amounts can mean the difference between landing or losing the job. Margins are slim, and unless you’re bundling this work or operating at high volume, it’s rarely a category that scales profit.
🔹 Colored Concrete
Colored concrete offers a step up — both in aesthetics and in earnings. Priced around $12 to $16 per square foot, these projects attract homeowners looking for something beyond gray, without going all the way to stamped. The additional material cost is minimal, but the perceived value is significantly higher. That’s where the profit lives.
However, colored concrete requires a more educated sale. Clients may ask about UV fade, sealing, and longevity — all of which must be addressed confidently. With a strong presentation and good portfolio images, colored concrete can become your go-to upsell, turning a $6,000 patio into an $8,000 project with very little extra effort.
🔹 Stamped Concrete
Then there’s stamped concrete — the premium option. With pricing often reaching $15 to $25+ per square foot, this finish delivers luxury looks at a fraction of the cost of stone or pavers. For you, it also delivers some of the best margins in the industry.
The caveat? It requires experience, weather cooperation, and a skilled crew to pull it off cleanly. Still, the investment pays off. Homeowners love the custom patterns, integrated color options, and wow factor stamped concrete brings. And because stamped projects are often part of larger outdoor living upgrades, there’s more room for add-ons and package pricing.
Proof: Same Crew, Same Week, Double the Profit
Let’s look at the numbers. A small contractor in Indiana completed two jobs in the same week, each approximately 700 square feet.
Job 1: Basic Broom Finish Driveway
- Quote: $6,300
- Costs (labor, materials, overhead): ~$3,900
- Profit: $2,400
Job 2: Stamped Patio with Decorative Border
- Quote: $11,550
- Costs: ~$5,000
- Profit: $6,550
Both jobs required two days of work. Both used the same equipment. The difference? One was commoditized flatwork; the other was a design-driven outdoor centerpiece. The patio job generated nearly three times the profit — without adding any crew or equipment.
The kicker? The driveway customer ghosted for a week before finally responding. The stamped patio client booked the job within 48 hours. Speed to quote and clarity of value made all the difference.
Filter for the Jobs That Actually Pay
One tool helping concrete companies steer toward these more profitable projects is Cretegen.
Cretegen is a visual, map-based quoting tool that lives on your website. When a customer visits, they can outline their project using a satellite map, select their preferred concrete type (standard, colored, or stamped), and enter key project details like square footage, timeline, and budget.
For you, that means every lead comes pre-qualified. You know the size, location, finish preference, and whether it meets your profitability threshold — before you make the call.
Cretegen Also Lets You:
- Set different price tiers by finish type, so leads are pre-sorted into the categories that align with your margin goals.
- Filter out low-budget or sub-minimum jobs automatically by setting job size or price floors in your dashboard.
- Generate branded quote summaries based on customer input, allowing you to respond faster and look more professional.
When you know a lead is requesting a stamped concrete patio and has a $15,000+ budget — you can prioritize the follow-up and respond with confidence. That’s how top contractors win the best work.
Quote Smarter, Not Slower
Stamped and colored concrete jobs don’t just look better — they pay better. But you can only benefit from those margins if you quote quickly, filter intelligently, and position yourself as the pro your clients can trust.
Cretegen helps you do all of that by qualifying leads for profitability the moment they hit your site.
👉 Try the Cretegen demo — no credit card required
👉 See it in action or Embed your quote tool today and start focusing on the projects that grow your bottom line.
You already have the crew. Now you need the right leads — and the right system to close them fast.
