“Decorative concrete seems like too much work! Why should I do it?” This is something we hear from contractors all the time. Often, when a contractor is scheduling regular flatwork jobs left and right, he doesn’t see the value in doing more. Here are the reasons you should consider getting into decorative concrete:
1. You can earn more. The average concrete contractor can expect to charge between $6 and $10 per square foot (source) for a basic patio or driveway, with no or minimal decorative touches. Just by upping your decorative game a little – some stamping, stenciling, the use of a couple different stains for highlighting or mottling, decorative saw cuts – you could almost double your asking price. Naturally, more intricate and creative work demands higher prices.
2. Decorative concrete can expand your client base. By offering a wider variety of services, you can meet more demands. This means you expose yourself to a wider group of potential customers with needs beyond plain concrete.
3. Grow with your clients. Homeowners often improve their homes over time. By expanding your abilities, you can continue to serve them as they upgrade the appearance of their homes. You’ve already worked to earn their trust so turn that effort into a stamped pool deck or a decorative overlay on a cracking driveway.
4. Work year round, even in the winter. When it starts getting too cold or too wet to pour outdoors, concrete contractors start winding down. Some even shutter operations and lay off crews. If you can find a way to work inside, however, you can keep going all year. Many decorative processes – such as decorative overlays and acid staining - are commonly found inside homes and businesses. You’ll be staining basement floors all winter while your competitors are waiting for the snow to clear.
5. You can work smarter, not harder. Don’t run around town, from job to job, like your hair is on fire. On a decorative concrete job, you’ll find that a little more time and effort on one job will significantly increase your earning potential. You can focus on doing your best work, not the most work.
6. Stay excited by your work. Gray, flat concrete gets boring after a while. You can let your creative juices flow by introducing patterns, textures, color, and all of the other decorative concrete tricks of the trade. Make something you’ll actually be excited to show off.
7. It’s not as difficult as you think. For the most part, becoming skilled at decorative concrete just takes some patience and a willingness to learn. This learning process is made easier when you attend a quality training course conducted by experienced professionals.
If you’re willing to take the time to do it right, decorative concrete can grow your business. Some contractors can supplement their existing flatwork while others will convert their whole business to decorative. If you are interested in adding decorative concrete to your repertoire, visit our new website www.brickformtraining.com and learn more about our decorative concrete training. For product application videos, visit our YouTube page.
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