Concrete Floor Polishing Costs –
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some concrete answers to some of our most asked questions.
Plan ahead and get indicative concrete floor polishing cost before building or renovating to assist with project budget!
Polished concrete is quite often thought of as a simple and cheap concept. For this reason, we have kept the Q & A’s simple to highlight a general overview for what is recommended and how Ultimate Floors concrete floor polishing cost is calculated.
"FAQ's - Guidelines To Get You Started"
How much can I expect concrete floor polishing cost be per sqm?
Concrete floor polishing cost is the most asked question. Read on for a better understanding how concrete floor polishing cost estimates are calculated.
As with any construction work, cost can & does vary greatly according to the desired process, level of refinement, and/or applied finish. Existing work can cost up to 30% more than new work.
Job size, site access and complexity, edge work, stairs or any other restrictions are all factors in determining what the concrete floor polishing cost estimated price may be.
We are committed to give our fit for purpose outcomes. Your requirements and your predetermined budget must also be realistically. Something perceived as being complicated and expensive may be straight forward for us and what is considered easy and quick may not be that way at all. Easiest way to find out is to ask!
For example – Concrete floor polishing cost for areas less than 35 square metres are based on minimum value. Set up fees can apply from time to time.
I have an old floor. Can older concrete be polished?
Ultimately, you are only limited by the condition of the concrete floor. Repairs and improvements of the concrete may be necessary.
For example; Extensively damaged concrete may not be the best candidate. Softer concrete consumes a lot more product and materials. In these instances, we highly recommend our On-site Sample Service in order to determine what will be required.
The team at Ultimate Floors works closely with you at every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome. In addition, guidance to prevent any potential issues and protecting the finished floor from damage is part of our service.
We take great care to protect our reputation as a leading provider of high quality honed and polished concrete. So whilst we will never cut corners, even at a client’s request, we ensure you receive the best possible advice and return of investing with Ultimate Floors.
What are the 'pros and cons' vs. tiling or similar?
The wide range of mechanical polished and top coated concrete floor polishing costs offers varied levels of performance, visual appeal and maintenance requirements. Certainly, it is possible to put a process together to be comparable with lower to high quality tiles.
The biggest difference is the ecological and environmental aspects that our products like Husqvarna HiPERFLOOR® provides while contributing to cleaner indoor air quality.
Grout in tiles can become mouldy, dirty and stained over a short period of time. That white or light brown grout you initially chose can soon become a dark brown, especially where pets and children are present!
The porous nature of grout means it can become a breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria within your home. Polished concrete is a sealed floor system so these possible issues are simply not present.
Plan your project early.
Choose your concrete supplier, colour type and aggregates to be used. If there are to be customised features like glass, shells, brass, logos, feature strips and decorative cuts, consider arranging these features early.
Having a process specification drafted for your project is recommended to ensure you are getting the process and outcome you are investing in.
Existing concrete; before fitout of kitchens or fixtures – Skirtings and door architraves – Final painting.
For new concrete, we offer three residential options;
- (1) Dependent on process selected, after 10 to 14 days days for mechanical polished concrete to 28 days for topical polished concrete ( coated finish ) after concrete placement for initial work then honing and polishing stages completed after building is water tight.
- (2) After framing – lock up stage: The roof is on and plaster board has been fixed and set.
- (3) Pre-cut where walls will be 3 to 4 days after concrete placement. After building is water tight and plaster board has been fixed and set is complete – the concrete polishing process is completed.
The latter is our most common request and has proven to be a good balance for builder and fit off trades alike. For more detailed information on our recommended approach and why it just works… get in touch.
For commercial projects; timing will be adjusted to in accordance to the extent of works involved, the construction program and determined in consultation with associated trades and Project Management.
From a concrete floor polishing cost perspective, Ultimate Floors are specialists in what we do. Concrete contractors are specialists in concrete placement and finishing.
With that being said, it is really important the concreter is aware the floor will be polished. Furthermore, following industry guidelines and our recommendations will greatly assist the concrete contractor.
Concrete slab cracks can come from a combination of things. Slab design, concrete blend, placement, incorrect curing and weather conditions on the day of slab construction. Adhering to fit for purpose concrete slab design and having us place crack control cuts to relieve stress during the initial curing period reduce the random shrinkage cracks appearing.
When doing a new slab, let your concreter know that the concrete slab will be honed or polished so they can add the appropriate precautionary measures in preparing and finishing your slab to the required standards. Ultimate Floors are comfortable working directly with your concrete contractor / builder in order to minimise any risks and discuss precautions.
External pavement work differs to internal areas and are in the Honed Concrete category. As you can imagine, the grinding stages in the process are necessary to ensure a safe transit surface when water wet.
External areas generally are 2 or 3 grinding stages with a choice of 3 types of surface protectors. It is recommended, surface slip co-efficiency be considered when selecting a finish and suggest impregnating sealer be the final stage. Impregnating sealer protects the surface while not altering the micro texture provided during the honing process.
Absolutely, many fantastic outcomes have resulted from refurbishments. Once again there are many variables, knowing more about your environment and ideal result is the first step.
First and foremost, care needs to be taken when attempting removal of hard materials like floor tiles, timber or any other direct to concrete floor covering. Carpet and vinyl flooring are simpler to manage and therefore risk of damage is minor. Talk to us about your individual requirements and to find out about the care required for floor covering removal and general floor preparation.
