Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

July, 2005

Painting Concrete Floor

Q. I have a salon and I'm wanting to remoldel but I don't own the building so I don't want to spend a lot of money. I was wondering about taking up the floor and coloring the concrete, but hiring a contractor. Would this be the cheapest thing to do and make the salon look nice and last for a long time?

A. Painting a concrete floor is a big job because the contractor will need to prepare the concrete surface and his/her labor effort will depend on the condition of the existing floor. When properly done the floor can look really nice, but I don't know how the cost compares with alternative floor coverings. My guess is that it is more expensive than coverings such as linoleum. If I were you I would get some cost comparisons from contractors who lay carpets, linoleum, tiles and other coverings.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph