Podcast: Remodel and Flip Houses for Less with Decorative Concrete

Tommy Carter: You’re listening to Direct Colors podcast Episode 32: Remodel and Flip Houses for Less with Decorative Concrete. If this is your first time listening, then thanks for listening. I’m Tommy Carter, Sales Manager and Technician with Direct Colors. Many of our customers remodel or flip houses and businesses for a living. They’re always looking for faster, less expensive ways to get a property ready for market without sacrificing quality, utility or appearance. Our General Manager, Shawna Turner, is here to discuss how decorative concrete can make a contractor, rental property owner or DIYer’s life much easier. Welcome, Shawna.

Shawna Turner: Thank you, Tommy.

TC: Why should contractors consider decorative concrete when remodeling houses to sell?

ST: The most compelling reason is cost. For example, an existing kitchen countertop or floor can be refinished for a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand. A kitchen with up to 100 sq. ft. of Formica countertop can be completely refinished in 3 days and cost no more than $350. It’s hard to find a better deal than that. The savings from simply not ripping out existing countertops is tremendous.

ST: An overlay can also be used to refinish concrete floors for an attractive, modern yet durable flooring option. Acid stain is our most popular color option for overlaid floors, but concrete pigment can also be added for a more solid color. Charcoal, for those interested in a more industrial look, is our most popular pigment color for floors.

TC: What about time savings? Is decorative concrete faster for a contractor remodeling houses?

ST: Absolutely. Most decorative concrete work can be done by the contractor or DIYer him or herself. Our business is built on the fact that you don’t need to hire a professional finisher to do this work. A handy person with some construction or remodeling experience can successfully apply our products without needing to hire another contractor to do it, making the work cheaper and often faster. Surface preparation is probably the most time consuming part of the process, but that step would be required to some degree on any flooring project. Most floors don’t even require an overlay and can just be acid stained and sealed, further reducing cost and time on the project. If acid staining isn’t your thing, we also offer tinted concrete sealers and concrete dyes for an even quicker turnaround.

TC: So aside from saving time and money, why would a contractor choose decorative concrete over more traditional finishes in a home?

ST: Because it’s hip and chic and people love decorative concrete! Seriously, concrete countertops especially are the rage in kitchen design, in part because there’s just so much you can do to customize the finish and really create a one of a kind look. But on the more pragmatic side, concrete floors are easy to clean and really cut down on allergens in the home. If you have pets, or are just allergic to dust, this is a big selling point. It’s also easier to get around on a concrete floor in a wheelchair or with a walker than carpet would be. Know your clientele, and we think you’ll find decorative concrete is a winning option for both floor and countertop refinishing.

TC: How does decorative concrete hold up when compared to other more traditional flooring or countertop options?

ST: Very well. Polyurethane countertop sealers in a kitchen environment generally last about 5–7 years before requiring attention, even longer on a bathroom vanity. We offer several tips on how to get the most out of your countertops, and refinishing simply entails a scuff, clean and reapplication, so it’s not an expensive or time consuming process at the end of the day. Concrete floors, depending on the sealer used, need to be re-waxed a few times a year to keep them looking good, and that wax is what protects the sealer underneath and extends its life. Polyurethane floor sealers are a low maintenance flooring option but will need to be refinished after 5–10 years depending on use.

TC: What does decorative concrete offer owners of rental property?

ST: Quite a lot, really. It’s very costly to remove carpet and make other updates to residential and commercial rental property time and time again. Decorative concrete offers a lower upfront investment and less expensive refinishing costs when floors or countertops need repair. Reapplying a concrete wax, or even sealer if it comes to that, is considerably more affordable than pulling out and replacing carpet. Every time. In addition, decorative concrete is something a contractor or rental property owner could learn to do well themselves — whenever you can eliminate the need for outside services, you’ve saved money already.

TC: Thanks for the advice, Shawna. And if you’re a contractor, home builder or rental property owner, call me, Tommy, at 877-255-2656 and we’ll see what will work best for your upcoming projects. If you’d prefer to send us an email, use the free online project consultation and we’ll get back to you within 24–48 hours. Direct Colors DIY Home Improvement podcasts were produced twice monthly for your enjoyment, and the show notes live here in the Direct Colors listening archive. I’m Tommy Carter, and thanks again for joining us!