Decorative concrete is regular structural concrete with a better haircut. The slab underneath is built to exactly the same standard as a plain driveway — base, steel, thickness, joints — and then the surface is colored, textured and sealed while it is still workable.
That timing is why decorative work is not a job for a general handyman. The window between too wet and too stiff is measured in minutes, and once a stamp goes in crooked or a release powder dries unevenly, the fix is a jackhammer. We stamp with a crew that has done it hundreds of times, in patterns we know release cleanly.
Stamped concrete
Ashlar slate, seamless stone, cobble, wood plank and running bond patterns for patios, driveways and walkways.
Integral & broadcast color
Color mixed through the whole slab, or hardener broadcast on the surface for a deeper, more durable finish.
Acid & water-based staining
Mottled, variegated color on new or existing concrete — including refreshing tired slabs.
Exposed aggregate
Washed finishes that show the stone in the mix; excellent traction in the rain.
Borders & banding
Contrasting bands, saw-cut patterns and inlaid borders that frame a plain field.
Sealing & resealing
Breathable sealers applied after cure, plus a maintenance schedule you can actually keep.
Get a price on this
Free on-site measure, written itemized estimate, no pressure.
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Choosing a pattern and color you will still like in ten years
The most common regret with stamped concrete is going too busy. Large-format ashlar slate and seamless stone patterns age well and hide the day-to-day wear. Tight cobble patterns and heavy contrast release colors look striking in the sample photos and dated on a real house within a few years.
We bring physical samples out to your property and set them on the ground in daylight, next to your siding and roof. Concrete color shifts noticeably as it cures and again once sealer goes on, so we walk you through what the finished slab will actually look like rather than what the color card promises.
How decorative concrete holds up in the Pacific Northwest
Two local realities drive our recommendations. First, rain: any exterior decorative surface needs texture for traction, which is why we avoid slick trowel finishes and put a light anti-slip additive in the sealer on steps and pool decks. Second, freeze-thaw and moss: a properly air-entrained mix and a breathable sealer let the slab release moisture instead of trapping it under a film that eventually peels.
Expect to reseal a stamped exterior every two to four years depending on exposure. It is a half-day job on most patios and it is what keeps the color from fading to grey.
Refreshing concrete you already have
Not every decorative project starts with a tear-out. If your existing slab is structurally sound — no major settlement, no wide moving cracks — staining, a bonded overlay or a saw-cut pattern can change its look completely for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
We will tell you plainly which category your slab falls into. Putting an overlay over a slab that is actively moving is money you will spend twice.
What stamped & decorative cost in Marysville
Real planning ranges for our market — not a national average.
Stamped and decorative work runs $17 to $26 per square foot in our market — roughly $7 to $11 more than a broom finish. The premium is labor, stamps, color and sealer, not a different slab underneath.
| Work | Unit | Typical range | What that includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamped concrete, single pattern & color | per sq ft | $17 – $22 | sealed after cure |
| Stamped, multi-pattern or border work | per sq ft | $21 – $28 | banded borders, inlays |
| Integral color | add-on per sq ft | +$1.50 – $3 | color through the whole slab |
| Acid or water-based stain on existing slab | per sq ft | $5 – $10 | sound concrete only |
| Bonded overlay on existing concrete | per sq ft | $9 – $16 | structurally sound slabs only |
| Sealing / resealing | per sq ft | $1.50 – $3 | every 2–4 years on exterior work |
Typical complete projects
Stamped patio 12 × 16 ft
one pattern, one color
$3,400 – $5,000
Stamped driveway, ~600 sq ft
with border band
$11,000 – $17,000
Reseal an existing 400 sq ft patio
clean + 2 coats
$700 – $1,300
Ranges are for planning, not a quote. Your price depends on access, base condition, demolition, thickness and finish — we confirm it in writing after a site visit.
From this kind of job
Photos from our own projects around Snohomish County.
