Stamped concrete and decorative concrete are concrete surfaces that have been imprinted or engraved with a design; they offer an alternative to concrete surfaces, which can be plain and simple. Stamped concrete is a growing trend in residential decorating today; it offers homeowners an inexpensive way of adding value to their homes without breaking the bank. Before starting your project, find a concrete contractor in your area who specializes in stamped concrete installation. First impressions are important when choosing for someone to do home improvement work on your home so take note of how well their website is made, how professionally their staff dress and how clean their concrete worksite is. 

Ask concrete contractors for references of past concrete projects such as stamped concrete they have installed in your local area so you can contact these home owners to ask about their concrete contractor's workmanship. Ask these people questions like: How was the concrete contractor to deal with? Did the concrete contractor finish on time and were they tidy after working? Was the concrete job completed within budget? If not, why did costs go over budget? What do they think of the final appearance of the concrete? A concrete contractor specializes in installing concrete and concrete counter tops to give homes a unique and modern look. A general contractor is an all-arounder who can complete home improvement projects like stamped concrete installation, masonry and flooring but not concrete counter tops.

If you have the money then get concrete contractors since they are professionals who specialize in concrete work; it will save you time from trying to coordinate each step of your project with a different service provider as well as save you money in the end by taking full advantage of their special pricing on concrete materials. But if you're strapped for cash or don't mind doing some of the concrete work yourself then finding a general contractor may be best for your needs.

You must prepare your concrete surface before you have concrete contractors install stamped concrete on it. Clean your concrete first since concrete cleaning is required for concrete to bond properly with any kind of filling material (i.e: concrete mix). Remove or repair all old concrete known as concrete spalling which looks like cracked and missing pieces of concrete. Change the direction of water drains in your concrete if the concrete has a slope that directs water in one area to minimize the potential of concrete damage. Repair concrete surfaces with concrete cracks and holes and then get to work!