The finish is the part of a concrete job you see and walk on every day, and it is decided in a few hours while the concrete is still wet. This guide explains what concrete finishing contractors do, what to look for before you hire one, the finishes they install and what each costs in San Antonio, the step-by-step process, cure times, City permit rules, and the questions to ask.
- What does a concrete finishing contractor do?
- What should I look for in concrete finishing contractors?
- Which finishes can concrete finishing contractors install?
- How much do concrete finishing contractors charge in San Antonio?
- What is the concrete finishing process, step by step?
- How long before I can use newly finished concrete?
- Do I need a permit for a new driveway or slab in San Antonio?
- What should I ask concrete finishers for hire before hiring?
- Should I hire a finishing-only crew or a full-service concrete company?
- Where do we work?
- What else are homeowners asking?
Hire concrete finishing contractors who prep the base, pour, finish, and seal as one crew. In San Antonio, a broom finish driveway runs about $7 to $10 per square foot installed. Summer heat shortens the finishing window, so call a pro who starts early and shows you real finished work first.
What does a concrete finishing contractor do?
A concrete finishing contractor levels, smooths, and textures fresh concrete so it is flat, drains well, and has the look and grip you want. Most concrete finishing companies also handle the forms, base, pour, curing, and sealing around that finish.
- Screed and float: Strike the wet concrete flat and bring a smooth paste to the surface.
- Edges and joints: Round the edges and cut control joints so cracks happen where they should.
- Texture: Broom, salt, swirl, exposed aggregate, or stamped patterns.
- Cure and seal: Keep the slab moist early, then seal it once it has cured.
What should I look for in concrete finishing contractors?
Look for a concrete finishing contractor with recent finished work you can see in person or in photos, written pricing, and liability insurance. Timing matters most, so they should plan crew size and start time around San Antonio heat.
The same checklist applies whether you search concrete finishers in my area or call a company a neighbor used.
- Real finished work: Photos or addresses of the exact finish you want, not just stock images.
- Insurance: A current liability certificate. We carry $2,000,000.
- Itemized written price: Base, thickness, reinforcement, finish, and first seal listed.
- Heat plan: Early-morning starts and enough hands on finish day in summer.
- Sample or reference: For stamped or colored work, a sample board or a finished job to compare.
Which finishes can concrete finishing contractors install?
Most concrete finish contractors install broom, salt, swirl, exposed aggregate, stained, and stamped finishes. Broom finish is the most common for driveways and walks, while stamped finishes cost the most because they take more labor and a tight timing window.
| Finish | Driveway price per sq. ft. | Reseal |
|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | $7 to $10 | Every 3 to 5 years |
| Decorative broom or swirl | $7.50 to $11 | Every 3 to 5 years |
| Salt finish | $8 to $11 | Every 3 to 5 years |
| Exposed aggregate | $10 to $14 | Every 3 to 5 years |
| Stained | $10 to $15 | Every 2 to 3 years |
| Stamped | $14 to $18 | Every 2 to 3 years |
Installed driveway prices from our best concrete driveway finishes guide, checked October 26, 2026. For pool decks, see our broom finish and salt finish pool deck pages, and our stamped concrete page.
How much do concrete finishing contractors charge in San Antonio?
Concrete finishing contractors usually price the whole installed slab, not the finish alone, so the finish shows up as part of the per-square-foot price. A standard broom finish driveway runs about $7 to $10 per square foot installed, and stamped about $14 to $18.
- Two-car broom finish driveway: About 400 to 500 sq. ft. typically runs $2,800 to $5,000 installed.
- Old concrete removal: Tear-out and haul-off add about $1.50 to $3.00 per sq. ft., per our driveway replacement guide.
- Upgrade cost: Moving from broom to salt or swirl adds little; stamped and stained cost the most.
- Range note: Our replacement guide lists broom driveways at $7 to $12 per sq. ft. because it includes tear-out jobs and harder sites.
Your exact price comes in writing after a free site visit. See our driveway installation page.
What is the concrete finishing process, step by step?
A concrete finishing service runs from base prep through sealing, with the finishing itself done in the few hours after the pour. Most residential driveways and slabs are poured and finished in a single day.
- Site visit and written price: Size, finish, soil, drainage, and access checked.
- Base and forms: Soft soil out, compacted base in, forms and reinforcement set.
- Pour and screed: Concrete placed and struck flat, early in the morning in hot months.
- Float, edge, and joint: Surface smoothed, edges rounded, control joints cut.
- Texture: Broom, salt, or aggregate exposure; stamps are worked in about 2 to 4 hours after the pour, and less in summer heat.
- Cure: Wet curing or a curing compound for at least 3 days.
- Seal: First sealer at about 28 days.
How long before I can use newly finished concrete?
Foot traffic is usually safe at about 48 hours, cars at about 7 days, and heavy vehicles at about 28 days. The first sealer goes on at about 28 days, once the concrete has cured.
- 48 hours: Walk on it carefully.
- 7 days: Park passenger cars.
- 28 days: Heavy trucks, RVs, and the first seal.
Do I need a permit for a new driveway or slab in San Antonio?
Sidewalks and driveways inside your property line are on the City of San Antonio’s No Permit Required list (checked October 26, 2026). Work outside that line, or in special districts, needs more checking first.
- Inside your property line: Driveways and sidewalks typically do not need a City permit.
- Historic, Neighborhood Conservation, or Corridor Districts: Design and materials can be restricted even when no permit is needed.
- Curb cuts, city sidewalks, and other public right-of-way work: Check with Development Services at 210-207-1111 before you pour.
- HOA and utilities: Check HOA rules, and call 811 before digging.
What should I ask concrete finishers for hire before hiring?
Ask every crew the same questions so the bids compare side by side. Get at least three itemized bids for the same size, thickness, and finish.
- Can I see finished jobs with the same finish I want?
- What base depth, thickness, and reinforcement are you pricing?
- What time will you pour in summer, and how many finishers will be on site?
- How will you cure it, and when is the first seal?
- Are tear-out, haul-off, and pump fees included?
- Can I see your insurance certificate and written warranty?
Should I hire a finishing-only crew or a full-service concrete company?
Homeowners usually do better with a full-service concrete company that handles base, pour, finish, and seal under one written price. A finishing-only crew, often hired as a subcontractor, makes sense mainly when a general contractor already manages the rest.
- One crew, one warranty: If the finish fails, there is no finger-pointing between trades.
- Residential concrete finishers near me: Ask whether the people finishing your slab are the same crew that prepped the base.
- Builders and GCs: See our concrete subcontractor guide.
Ready for a price? See our driveway installation page or request a free quote.
Need a concrete finishing contractor?
Free site visit, help choosing a finish for San Antonio heat, and a written price before any work starts. Licensed and insured, $2,000,000 liability coverage.
Where do we work?
Affordable Concrete San Antonio works across San Antonio and nearby areas from our shop at 1247 W Thompson Pl, San Antonio, TX 78226.
We pour and finish driveways, pool decks, patios, and slabs in San Antonio and these nearby areas: Helotes, Leon Valley, Shavano Park, Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, Boerne, Cibolo, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Spring Branch, New Braunfels, Pleasanton, Floresville, Castroville, Lytle, and Von Ormy. Not sure about your address? Call (713) 504-2341.
What else are homeowners asking?
These are the short answers people want before they book a quote.
What does a concrete finishing contractor do?
They level, smooth, and texture fresh concrete, cut control joints, and cure and seal it. Most also handle the base, forms, and pour.
How much does a broom finish driveway cost in San Antonio?
About $7 to $10 per square foot installed for a standard broom finish driveway. A two-car driveway of about 400 to 500 square feet typically runs $2,800 to $5,000.
Which concrete finish costs the most?
Stamped concrete, at about $14 to $18 per square foot installed for driveways, because the stamps must be worked in within a few hours of the pour.
How long before I can drive on newly finished concrete?
Passenger cars are usually fine at about 7 days. Wait about 28 days for heavy trucks and RVs, and walk on it only after about 48 hours.
Do I need a permit for a concrete driveway in San Antonio?
Driveways and sidewalks inside your property line are on the City No Permit Required list. Historic and conservation districts can add limits, and right-of-way work needs checking, so call Development Services at 210-207-1111.
Should I hire a finishing-only crew?
Most homeowners do better with one company that handles base, pour, finish, and seal under one price and warranty. Finishing-only crews mainly work for general contractors.
Sources used in this article:
- City of San Antonio, No Permit Required List, checked October 26, 2026, sa.gov
- City of San Antonio, Development Services Department, sa.gov
- Affordable Concrete San Antonio, driveway installation service page, affordableconcretesanantonio.com/concrete-driveway-installation-san-antonio/
- Affordable Concrete San Antonio, best concrete driveway finishes guide, checked October 26, 2026, affordableconcretesanantonio.com/concrete-blogs/best-concrete-driveway-finishes-for-san-antonio-homes/
- Affordable Concrete San Antonio, driveway replacement cost guide, checked October 26, 2026, affordableconcretesanantonio.com/concrete-blogs/how-much-to-replace-driveway-concrete-in-san-antonio/
This article is general information for San Antonio homeowners. Prices are typical estimates as of October 2026 and can change. City rules can change too; the City of San Antonio is the final authority on permits. It is not a quote and does not replace a site visit.
What should I read next?
Start with our driveway installation page, or keep reading to choose your finish.