"It's definitely very helpful to take the training; I still go every year, or every other year," he says. He also suggests not getting too ambitious with your first stamped-concrete experiments, because the hardeners make concrete firm up faster than you might expect.
"You better start small," he says. "You can get in trouble, because you can't do a whole lot at once."
Investing in success
The stamping molds will probably be your biggest investment if you're considering entering this field, according to Harris, totaling $2,000 or more. He suggests starting with three basic patterns – random stone, slate and brick. Maintain the stamps by simply rinsing them off after each job, and make sure to stack them carefully, away from tools and other equipment, when storing or transporting them.
"We have stamps that are 10 to 12 years old, and they're still very effective," he says.
That initial investment, along with training costs, can provide a profitable return. Harris says stamped finishes start at $7 per sq. ft. in his Atlanta area, compared with $2 to $3 for a standard broom finish.
Growing opportunities
Consumers' continuing appreciation for stone looks even has some contractors literally climbing the walls. Vertical stamping has now become possible, thanks to new polymers that can bond new finishes to existing concrete retaining walls. Guthro says homeowners are finding the $12-per-sq.-ft. cost an affordable approach to dressing up otherwise plain surfaces.
"You get an extremely authentic-looking wall at a fraction of the cost," he says.
All the techniques and options available with stamped concrete give builders a chance to express some creativity and profitable upgrades to otherwise standard features such as patios, sidewalks and driveways. That's a pretty good opportunity to wow the customers and differentiate their companies from the competition during this time of fewer projects. Stamped concrete just might get your stamp of approval, too.
Chuck Ross is a freelance writer who specializes in construction topics.
Related: How to stain concrete
