Exposed aggregate concrete typically costs $8-$16 per sq. ft. installed, compared with about $6-$12 per sq. ft. for standard broom-finished concrete. For a 600-sq.-ft. project, that is roughly $4,800-$9,600 for aggregate versus $3,600-$7,200 for plain concrete; finish method, site preparation, thickness, and local labor rates drive the difference.
The exposed finish reveals decorative stones by washing or brushing away surface cement paste, adding labor and sometimes sealer. The figures below assume a new, accessible residential slab and exclude unusual excavation or major drainage work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broom-finished concrete | $6 per sq. ft. | $9 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Basic residential slab, installed |
| Exposed aggregate concrete | $8 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | $16 per sq. ft. | Decorative stone finish, installed |
| 600-sq.-ft. broom-finish project | $3,600 | $5,400 | $7,200 | Before major site work |
| 600-sq.-ft. exposed aggregate project | $4,800 | $7,200 | $9,600 | Before major site work or upgrades |
| Typical exposed-finish premium | $2 per sq. ft. | $3 per sq. ft. | $5 per sq. ft. | Compared with basic broom finish |
What exposed aggregate costs beside broom-finished concrete
For common residential work, the installed price difference is usually about $2-$5 per sq. ft. Exposed aggregate often averages near $12 per sq. ft., while broom-finished concrete averages around $9 per sq. ft. A contractor may quote outside those ranges where concrete access is difficult, the slab needs substantial base work, or decorative stone is unusually costly.
These are broad U.S. planning figures, not guaranteed bids. A smaller patio may have a higher per-square-foot rate because mobilization and minimum crew charges are spread across fewer square feet. A larger driveway may receive a lower unit rate, but its total climbs with area, thickness, reinforcement, and any demolition.
For a straightforward 600-sq.-ft. slab, budget about $5,400 for broom finish or $7,200 for exposed aggregate before site-specific extras.
Assumptions: standard residential concrete, normal truck access, typical Midwest or national-market labor, and no major demolition or drainage correction.
How stone finishing changes the concrete quote
Both finishes share costs for concrete placement, the prepared base, forms, and much of the crew’s work. The exposed finish adds careful timing and surface treatment: the contractor applies a retarder or uses another controlled method, then washes or brushes the surface to reveal the stone without loosening it. Sealing is often quoted separately.
| Quote component | Broom finish | Exposed aggregate | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2-$4 per sq. ft. | $3-$6 per sq. ft. | Mix design, stone selection, reinforcement |
| Labor | $2-$4 per sq. ft. | $3-$6 per sq. ft. | Finish skill, slab size, wash timing |
| Equipment | $0.50-$1.50 per sq. ft. | $0.75-$2 per sq. ft. | Pumping, access, surface-washing tools |
| Permits | $0-$500 per job | $0-$500 per job | Local rules, driveway or right-of-way work |
| Delivery and disposal | $0.50-$3 per sq. ft. | $0.50-$3 per sq. ft. | Haul distance, old slab removal, load size |
Component ranges are estimate-building guides; contractors may group several items under a single installed rate. Ask whether quoted materials include the selected aggregate, reinforcement, and concrete delivery. A low bid may specify a basic mix and omit sealing, removal, or base preparation, making direct comparison difficult.
The exposed finish costs more mainly because finishing labor and material specifications are less basic, not because every part of the slab is different.
Which slab size, thickness, and stone choice raise the price?
Area is the simplest driver: at $9 per sq. ft., a 400-sq.-ft. broom-finished patio is about $3,600, while a 900-sq.-ft. slab is about $8,100 before extras. Yet area alone does not determine a bid. Irregular edges, multiple pours, narrow access, and small jobs increase labor time per square foot.
Thickness also matters. A typical patio may use a 4-in. slab, while a driveway designed for heavier vehicles may need a thicker section or stronger reinforcement based on soil and local practice. Moving from 4 in. to 5 or 6 in. uses more concrete and can raise material costs roughly 10%-30%, though the actual increase depends on the mix, reinforcement, and contractor’s design.
Stone selection affects both the mix and appearance. Standard local aggregate is generally less expensive than imported, colored, or carefully graded stone. Decorative aggregate can add approximately $1-$3 per sq. ft. over a basic exposed mix. On a 600-sq.-ft. slab, that choice alone could add $600-$1,800.
Ground conditions can exceed the finish premium. Removing an old slab may add around $2-$6 per sq. ft.; substantial excavation, soil replacement, or a new compacted base can add another $1-$5 per sq. ft. Drainage changes, retaining edges, and a concrete pump are separate items that should appear clearly in the estimate.
Check the dimensions, slab depth, reinforcement, aggregate specification, and base preparation before treating two per-square-foot quotes as equivalent.
How do installed prices shift across U.S. regions?
Regional pricing reflects wages, concrete supply, disposal fees, travel, and seasonal demand. Compared with a broad national baseline, bids in high-cost metropolitan areas or coastal markets may run about 10%-25% higher. Rural markets can be 5%-15% lower when local material is available and crews have short travel distances, but limited contractor availability can reverse that advantage.
Weather affects scheduling as well as price. In colder regions, the workable season is shorter, and freeze-thaw requirements may call for mix or reinforcement specifications that affect the estimate. In hot climates, careful curing and shade or timing measures may matter. These conditions do not create a universal surcharge; the quote should state the actual work being added.
For a 600-sq.-ft. exposed aggregate slab with a national planning price of $7,200, a 15% high-cost-market adjustment would put the estimate near $8,280. A 10% lower-cost-market difference would bring it to about $6,480, assuming the same scope and no unusual site work.
Local comparisons are more useful than applying a regional multiplier blindly. Request two or three bids from contractors who install both finishes and ask each to price the same dimensions, thickness, aggregate, removal, and sealing. Location can shift the total by hundreds or thousands of dollars, but a scope mismatch can distort the comparison even more.
How much crew time does each finish require?
A simple residential pour may take a crew of three to five people several hours to place and finish, with the total job commonly spanning one to three workdays when preparation and cleanup are included. Larger driveways, difficult access, demolition, or multiple pour areas can extend the schedule. Concrete curing takes longer than the crew’s active work and should not be confused with installation time.
Broom finishing requires workers to establish the surface and texture while the concrete remains workable. Exposed aggregate calls for additional control over when and how the surface paste is removed. Washing too early can dislodge stone; waiting too long can make exposure difficult. This timing and finish work help explain a typical $2-$5 per-sq.-ft. premium.
Labor charges vary widely, but a planning range for concrete crew labor is about $50-$100 per worker-hour, often reflected in a bundled project price rather than billed hourly. A small project may also carry a minimum charge of roughly $1,000-$2,500 for mobilization, forms, and equipment, depending on location and scope.
Ask the contractor when the slab can accept foot traffic and vehicles, and whether the schedule includes washing, curing protection, and sealing. Exposed aggregate may require more finish-sensitive labor even when the slab’s placement schedule is similar.
Three project quotes show the finish premium
These examples use plausible installed rates and basic site conditions to show how area and scope change a quote. They exclude major excavation, complex drainage, permit costs, and unusual delivery charges. Actual contractor proposals may package labor, materials, and equipment differently.
| Project | Finish and area | Rate assumption | Estimated total | Scope note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio | Broom, 300 sq. ft. | $10 per sq. ft. | $3,000 | Basic access and prepared base |
| Same patio | Exposed, 300 sq. ft. | $13 per sq. ft. | $3,900 | Standard local decorative stone |
| Driveway | Broom, 800 sq. ft. | $9 per sq. ft. | $7,200 | Typical thickness and normal access |
| Same driveway | Exposed, 800 sq. ft. | $12.50 per sq. ft. | $10,000 | Includes finish premium, not old slab removal |
| Large patio | Exposed, 1,000 sq. ft. | $11 per sq. ft. | $11,000 | Favorable access and larger pour |
In the matched patio example, the aggregate finish adds $900, or $3 per sq. ft. In the driveway comparison, it adds $2,800, or $3.50 per sq. ft. The larger patio’s lower rate illustrates how a larger, uncomplicated pour can spread setup costs, even though the project total is higher.
For a useful apples-to-apples estimate, confirm that both bids cover the same area, concrete depth, base, reinforcement, removal, and sealer.
Does exposed aggregate need more sealing and upkeep?
Both concrete finishes benefit from appropriate curing and periodic cleaning. Exposed aggregate is often sealed to protect the surface and maintain its appearance, particularly where weather, deicing salts, or heavy use affect the slab. A contractor may include initial sealer or list it as an upgrade; confirm the product and application area before accepting the price.
Initial sealing may add roughly $0.75-$2 per sq. ft., or about $450-$1,200 on 600 sq. ft. Resealing commonly costs around $0.50-$1.50 per sq. ft. when the surface is accessible and needs only cleaning and application. Frequency depends on sealer, exposure, traffic, and manufacturer guidance; many owners plan to review the surface every two to five years rather than assume a fixed schedule.
Repair costs depend on whether the problem is a small crack, settlement, or widespread surface damage. Minor crack repair may run about $150-$500, while larger patching or leveling can reach $500-$2,000 or more. A badly failed slab may make replacement more economical than repeated repairs, but the exposed finish can be harder to match exactly.
Over five years, a 600-sq.-ft. slab might require an initial sealer and one maintenance application, totaling roughly $750-$2,100 for sealing alone. Cleaning and minor repairs are additional. Ask whether the quoted finish includes sealer and what maintenance interval the specific product requires.
Where can the concrete budget be reduced safely?
Keep the slab shape and pour plan simple. A single rectangle is generally easier to form and finish than several narrow sections, curves, or separate landings. Grouping adjacent work into one pour may reduce mobilization costs, provided the design and drainage still work. Do not reduce the area needed for access or change slope requirements just to lower the bid.
Choose locally available aggregate and compare standard exposed stone with premium colors or imported mixes. The decorative upgrade can add $1-$3 per sq. ft., so a practical stone selection may save $600-$1,800 on 600 sq. ft. Consider whether exposure is valuable across the entire slab; using a decorative area only on a patio or entry can limit the premium.
Prepare the site only where appropriate. Clearing movable items and providing clear access may avoid extra labor, but excavation, compaction, drainage, and formwork should follow the contractor’s plan. Poor base preparation can lead to settlement and expensive repairs, so it is not a safe place to cut cost without a qualified assessment.
Compare at least three written estimates with matching specifications. Ask for separate prices for demolition, base work, reinforcement, aggregate selection, sealer, and taxes or permits. Schedule during a contractor’s less-busy period when possible, but avoid choosing a quote solely because it is lowest or promises an unrealistic timeline.
The most dependable savings come from controlling decorative upgrades and simplifying scope while keeping the specified base, slab thickness, and drainage intact.