Overview
Polished concrete is sold for the finish, and the slab condition is the line that decides what the finish costs to achieve
Polished concrete specialists work on a flooring product that's part old, part new. Existing concrete slabs (often in older warehouses, lofts, retail conversions, garages) get ground, densified, and polished progressively from coarse grits to a high gloss; new slabs can be specified with the right cement mix, finishing technique, and aggregate exposure for an architectural finish. The cost variable is the slab itself: cracks, oil stains, expansion joints, level variation, and previous coatings all change the labour. A flat 'polished concrete, $60/m²' quote without the slab condition assessment, the grit sequence, and the desired aggregate exposure level gives the customer no view on whether the finish will match the showroom photo.
QuoteGenio gives polished concrete contractors a quoting shape that fits the slab-and-finish work. Slab assessment and exposed-aggregate target as the first line, crack repair and patching, grinding sequence by grit (40, 80, 120, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000), densifier application, polishing labour, sealer with the warranty period named, edge detail at walls and door frames, and a final clean. Send via WhatsApp or email to the customer with photos of the existing slab, take a deposit at booking, raise progress invoices through grind and polish, and the final invoice closes with the slab photographed at the agreed gloss level.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of polished and burnished concrete floor business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every polished concrete specialist knows
Polished concrete is a multi-stage process that clients don't understand. Quote each stage clearly and win work from competitors who bundle everything into one confusing number.
Clients think polishing is one step
It's 7-14 steps. Grinding, honing, densifying, polishing, staining, sealing. Without itemising, you look expensive against cowboys who skip steps.
Gloss level changes price massively
Matte, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss need different numbers of passes. A 400-grit matte finish is 50% of the cost of 3000-grit high-gloss. State the gloss level.
Stain removal adds unknown time
Old industrial floors have oil, rust, paint, and epoxy stains. Each takes different removal methods. Without a provisional sum, stains eat your margin.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
Quotes that itemise every grinding pass, densifier application, and polish step. Clients see the process and understand the premium.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for polished concrete
Line items for prep grinding, crack/joint repair, densifier, grinding passes (30, 50, 100 grit), polishing passes (200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 grit), stain or dye, and sealer.
Quote from the site visit
Check substrate hardness, test for stains, measure, and send the quote before the client's project manager comes back.
System warranties attached
Save HTC, Ameripolish, Husqvarna, or your preferred system warranty in terms. They attach to every quote automatically.
Track commercial invoices
Polished concrete jobs in retail and commercial come with 30-90 day payment terms. Track outstanding balances cleanly.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how polished concrete specialists actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Polished Concrete Specialists choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Polished Concrete Specialists build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Polished Concrete Specialists job pricing
Guideline pricing for common polished concrete jobs. Rates shift with gloss level, substrate condition, exposure level (cream, salt and pepper, fully exposed aggregate), and access. Use as a starting point.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Grind and seal (per sq m, matte finish) | $ 55 - $ 95 / sq m |
| Standard polish (per sq m, 800 grit satin) | $ 85 - $ 145 / sq m |
| Premium polish (per sq m, 1500-3000 grit) | $ 135 - $ 265 / sq m |
| Exposed aggregate polish (per sq m) | $ 125 - $ 245 / sq m |
| Decorative dye or stain (per sq m) | $ 32 - $ 78 / sq m |
| Densifier application (per sq m) | $ 8 - $ 22 / sq m |
| Crack and joint repair (per m) | $ 28 - $ 85 / m |
Pricing shown in USD as a rough benchmark. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
Polished concrete surveys need proper assessment: substrate hardness, moisture, stain identification, crack mapping. Charge $ 280 to $ 580 for a full survey with written specification and mockup test area. Free surveys on big commercial jobs are a race to the bottom.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use fixed per sq m pricing for standard grind-and-polish jobs with known substrate. Use hourly rates ($ 95 to $ 165 per hour per operator plus consumables) for heritage concrete, overlay work, stain removal, or anything with unknown substrate condition. Always quote crack repair as a provisional sum on old concrete.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
A polished concrete quote that shows every pass (30, 50, 100 grind, densifier, dye, 200, 400, 800 polish, sealer) wins work because the client sees the process and understands the expertise.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Polished concrete, 180 sq m retail showroom, 800 grit satin with light dye
Initial 30 grit diamond grind
50 grit grind
100 grit grind
Crack and joint repair (provisional)
Lithium silicate densifier
Ameripolish dye application (light grey)
200 grit polish
400 grit polish
800 grit final polish
Penetrating sealer (2 coats)
Site protection and cleanup
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial 30 grit diamond grind | 180 | $ 18.00 / sq m | $ 3,240 |
| 50 grit grind | 180 | $ 12.00 / sq m | $ 2,160 |
| 100 grit grind | 180 | $ 10.00 / sq m | $ 1,800 |
| Crack and joint repair (provisional) | 1 | $ 680 | $ 680 |
| Lithium silicate densifier | 180 | $ 14.00 / sq m | $ 2,520 |
| Ameripolish dye application (light grey) | 180 | $ 32.00 / sq m | $ 5,760 |
| 200 grit polish | 180 | $ 8.00 / sq m | $ 1,440 |
| 400 grit polish | 180 | $ 8.00 / sq m | $ 1,440 |
| 800 grit final polish | 180 | $ 10.00 / sq m | $ 1,800 |
| Penetrating sealer (2 coats) | 180 | $ 18.00 / sq m | $ 3,240 |
| Site protection and cleanup | 1 | $ 380 | $ 380 |
| Subtotal | $ 24,460 | ||
| Tax (10%) | $ 2,446 | ||
| Total incl. tax | $ 26,906 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Concrete moisture testing (required on new slabs), crack and joint repair as provisional, densifier application (essential for a hard polish), dye or stain options, gloss level specification, final sealer (penetrating vs topical), cure time (24-48 hours before traffic), and 5-10 year manufacturer warranty. Commercial clients specifically ask for all of these.
Peer snapshot
How Polished Concrete Specialists actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Polished Concrete Specialists on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
27
Quotes sent per month
57%
Average quote acceptance
5 min
Median time to send quote
$ 26,906
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Polished Concrete Specialist jobs like this, free
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
Polished concrete is a specialty trade where expertise wins premium rates. These mistakes let cheap grind-and-seal cowboys undercut you on apparent price.
Mistake: Quoting 'polish' as one step
Better: List every grit pass separately. Clients who see 30, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 grits understand the expertise and care. Clients who see one 'polish' line compare on price alone.
Mistake: No densifier on the quote
Better: Densifier is critical for durability. Lithium or sodium silicate hardens the concrete surface. Quote it as a specific line item with product brand (Ameripolish, Prosoco, W.R. Meadows). Without it, polish fades within 12 months.
Mistake: Gloss level not specified
Better: State the finish: matte (200 grit), satin (400-800 grit), semi-gloss (1500 grit), high-gloss (3000 grit). Each represents a different amount of work. Clients who see the grit on the quote understand the premium.
Mistake: Stain removal assumed
Better: Old concrete has oil, paint, rust. Each stain type needs a different removal method (degreaser, paint stripper, rust remover). Quote a provisional sum of $ 380-$ 1,200 depending on floor area and condition, with a note about unknown staining.
Mistake: Crack repair not quoted
Better: Old concrete cracks. Quote a provisional sum of 1-5% of floor area for polymer mortar crack repair. State that hairline cracks do not require repair but will show in the polished surface.
Mistake: Sealer not specified
Better: Penetrating sealer (lithium or stain-resistant) vs topical sealer (urethane, acrylic) have different prices, longevity, and maintenance. State the specific product and coverage. Penetrating sealers cost more but last 10-15 years; topicals last 3-7 years.
Mistake: No moisture test on new slabs
Better: Polished concrete over a slab with high moisture fails within months. Quote a moisture test (typically $ 65-$ 180 per test) and state the required moisture level (under 4% MC or 80% RH) before polishing can proceed.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote polished concrete jobs
Polished concrete is a 7 to 14 step process that lives or dies on substrate assessment. Walk the floor and take moisture readings on new slabs (under 4 percent MC or 80 percent RH before polishing), test substrate hardness with a Mohs scratch test or rebound hammer, and identify every stain type (oil, paint, rust, epoxy, curing compound) because each needs a different removal method. Measure floor area in square metres and map every crack and joint with photographs. Confirm the target exposure level with the client: cream finish (minimal grind, no aggregate visible), salt and pepper (some aggregate), or fully exposed aggregate (10 to 20mm grind depth to reveal stones). Confirm the target gloss: 400 grit matte, 800 grit satin, 1500 grit semi-gloss, or 3000 grit high-gloss. For big commercial jobs or unknown substrates, charge $ 280 to $ 580 for a survey with a test mockup area.
Itemise every grit pass as a discrete line: initial 30 grit diamond grind, 50 grit grind, 100 grit grind, densifier application (with product named: Ameripolish, Prosoco, W.R. Meadows lithium or sodium silicate), then each polishing pass at 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 grit depending on target gloss. Crack and joint repair is a provisional sum of 1 to 5 percent of floor area with polymer mortar filler specified. Stain removal is provisional at $ 380 to $ 1,200 depending on condition, with a note that unknown staining is quoted separately. Dye or stain application goes on its own line with the product (Ameripolish dye, Smith acid stain) and colour code named, and the final sealer is specified as penetrating (lithium, stain-resistant) or topical (urethane, acrylic). Site protection, cure time before traffic (24 to 48 hours), and client sign-off on mockup each get their own line on commercial jobs.
Polished concrete quotes carry 30 day validity because diamond tooling, densifier, and specialty dye pricing moves with suppliers and commercial HTC, Ameripolish, or Husqvarna stock can be patchy. Stage payments on commercial work: 30 percent on acceptance, 30 percent after grind and densifier, 30 percent after polishing, 10 percent on sealer and handover. Attach the manufacturer system warranty (HTC 5 to 10 years, Ameripolish densifier 10 to 20 years) and state a 3 to 5 year workmanship warranty on the polish and dye uniformity. Moisture testing and mockup sign-off are recorded on the invoice as proof of correct process. Cure time before foot traffic (24 to 48 hours) and before forklift or retail traffic (7 days) is written into the terms. Gloss level and exposure depth are signed off at the mockup stage because these cannot be reversed once the grinding goes deeper.
Commercial retail, showroom, and warehouse clients decide on written specifications, so email the quote within 48 hours of the survey with the grit schedule, densifier product, dye colour, sealer type, and programme attached. Facilities managers want to see every pass itemised because this is how they justify the premium to procurement. Offer a mockup test patch on any job over 100 square metres, because this is the single biggest close-rate multiplier on high-gloss or decorative work. Follow up after one week to confirm the mockup schedule and programme coordination with other trades. Variations during the polish (extra crack repair, deeper exposure, additional dye coverage) must be quoted and signed before execution because grit depth cannot be un-done. Offer a re-polish and reseal service ($ 22 to $ 55 per square metre) 5 to 10 years after install because this is where commercial repeat revenue lives.
FAQ
Common questions from polished concrete specialists
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Build separate templates for matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes. Each has different grit passes and time requirements.
Yes. Each exposure level represents a different initial grinding depth. Quote with the specific exposure target in the description (cream finish means minimal grind, fully exposed means grinding through the cream to show aggregate).
Yes. Save HTC, Ameripolish, Husqvarna warranties in your terms section. They attach to every quote and PDF automatically.
Yes. Every quote generates a shareable link and PDF. Email the link to facility managers and procurement teams. Commercial clients prefer email with a PDF attachment.
Exposed aggregate requires 10-20mm of grinding to expose the stones, which takes 2-3 times longer than cream finishing and uses more diamond tooling. Quote at 30-60% premium over cream finishing. State the exposure depth in millimetres in the quote description.
Stains and dyes apply during specific polishing stages. Water-based dyes at 200-400 grit, penetrating stains at 50-100 grit. Quote separately from the polish work with the specific product and colour. Dye adds $ 22-$ 55 per sq m; acid stains $ 35-$ 85 per sq m. Both require manufacturer warranty and a test area.
Overlays (self-levelling polishable topping) go over old or damaged concrete to create a fresh polishable surface. Quote them separately because overlay adds $ 35-$ 95 per sq m in material plus installation. Include moisture testing, bonding primer, and proper cure time (7-14 days before polishing can start).
Retail and showroom jobs typically want 1500-3000 grit high-gloss with zero defects. Quote at 50-100% premium over warehouse-grade polish because the tolerance for imperfections is much lower. Include a line for mockup area, test patches, and client sign-off before full polishing.
Yes. Polished concrete dulls after 5-10 years in high-traffic areas. Offer a re-polish service as a recurring quote, typically $ 22-$ 55 per sq m for a re-burnish and reseal. Send quotes to old commercial clients annually.
Yes. For large commercial jobs, quote phases separately (Phase 1 prep, Phase 2 polish, Phase 3 seal and handover) and convert each to its own invoice when the phase completes. Keeps cashflow smooth on long jobs.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Guides
Guides for Polished Concrete Specialists
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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