Decorative concrete in Hawthorne CA - a new look for a tired patio or driveway
Which decorative concrete finish is right for my Hawthorne slab?
Liberty Hawthorne Concrete does decorative concrete in Hawthorne three ways: a stamped pattern with color, a translucent acid stain, or a thin overlay on the concrete you already have. Which one fits depends mostly on whether your existing slab is sound, so that's the first thing I check when I come out.
A slab that's solid but tired can usually take a stain or an overlay. One that's cracked through or sinking is better torn out and poured new. I bring samples to the estimate so you can see that stain is translucent and lets the old surface show through, patches and all. That surprises people who expect it to cover like paint.
When we pour new, I'd rather spend your budget on the base than on an extra color. That means digging out and packing the subgrade, the ground the slab sits on, because a pattern on a slab that settles cracks right along with it. Our crew also cuts control joints, shallow grooves that give the concrete a planned place to crack, and lines them up with the pattern so they blend in.
The same finishes work beyond patios and driveways. A stained or stamped face can tie a patio into a concrete retaining wall beside it, and stain is a common choice on a new interior slab from our concrete floor installation work. Whatever you choose, your written estimate lists what's included and what isn't, so the finished job matches what you approved.
What the job takes
- A check that your slab is sound
- Samples of stain, color and pattern
- Cleaning and prepping the old surface
- A packed base under any new pour
- Stamping, staining or a thin overlay
- A sealer coat to protect the finish
What to weigh before booking decorative concrete
What sets the price
Price comes down to the size of the area, how detailed the design is, and whether we finish the slab you have or tear it out and pour new.
What the timing depends on
Resurfacing a sound slab usually goes faster than a tear-out and new pour. A new pour needs curing, the wait while fresh concrete hardens, and city approval adds time for street-side work.
Simple or detailed design
A single pattern and color costs less and is easier to keep up, while borders, inlays and several colors cost more and need frequent upkeep. On busy driveways I lean simple.
Decorative concrete questions from Hawthorne
What does stamped concrete cost around Hawthorne?
Stamped concrete in the Los Angeles area usually costs about $15 to $30 per square foot. That's the going rate in the market, not our price. Where your job falls in that range comes down to the size and design points above, and I'll give you your own figure in a written estimate once I've seen the area.
Can a concrete overlay fix my old patio without tearing it out?
Yes, as long as the slab underneath is sound. An overlay is a thin cement-based coating that covers worn or damaged concrete without removing the original slab, and one overlay maker suggests it for slabs that are structurally solid but unattractive. If yours is cracked through or sinking, I'll tell you at the estimate that new concrete is the better choice.
How often does stamped concrete need resealing in Los Angeles?
Stamped concrete in the Los Angeles area should be resealed every two to three years, because sun and wear are what break down the surface here. It's worth counting that resealing in what the finish costs you over time, not just on the day it's poured.
What causes stamped concrete to get slippery after sealing?
The sealer itself can cost the surface some grip, and one sealer maker says grip may drop with each coat. The same maker says an anti-skid additive such as sand, added while the sealer is still wet, can offset it. That's worth asking about on a pool deck or a sloped driveway.
How do I know if decorative concrete in Hawthorne needs a city permit?
If the work reaches the city right-of-way, the public strip along the street, the city's Engineering Department issues the permit and can confirm the current rules. Under the city's rules, a special finish there has to be approved by the city engineer before work starts, and a Public Works inspector checks the forms, the boards that hold the wet concrete, before anything is poured. If your job needs a permit, I'll tell you at the estimate, and we handle the application and arrange the inspections.
Who is allowed to do decorative concrete work in California?
California's C-8 Concrete Contractor license covers contractors who form, pour, place, finish and install concrete work. The state's small-job exemption from licensing stops at $1,000, and it applies only when the work needs no permit and the person doing it has no employees. We're fully licensed and insured, with satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Decorative concrete near you
We're based in Hawthorne and do decorative concrete in many of the cities around it, including Inglewood and Gardena. Pick your city below, or call (424) 307-8166 if yours isn't listed.
Other concrete work
- Concrete driveway building
- Concrete patio construction
- Stamped concrete services
- Concrete sidewalk building
- Garage floor concrete
- Concrete retaining walls
- Concrete floor installation
- Concrete pool decks
- Concrete steps construction
- Slab foundation building
- Foundation installation
- Concrete parking lot building
- Concrete footings
- Foundation raising
- Concrete cutting
Ask for a free decorative concrete estimate
Send photos, the rough square footage and whether the work reaches the street. We reply within one business day, then I come out for a free, no-obligation estimate.