That's too much money. But then, I don't live in California. For a 1,000/sq-ft slab at 4.5" thick, the cost of the materials should be less than $2,500. That leaves $4k for a crew of 4, for a day.

That's a bunch, as 4 guys can get that done easily in a day, if they are not having to start by removing another slab or do any serious grading and compaction.

JR

I don't remember the exact added cost for color. In the back of my mind, it was something like $6 or $8 per yard, but the total cost per yard was around $120 at the time. This was eight years ago. I can take a picture of the front garage apron where the stamped coloring (powder) has weathered out in contrast to where it hasn't if you want. Again it's my fault for not keeping up on sealing especially that area, since it's the most exposed to the weather. Mine was new, 4 in. thick construction so if you are having to demo your area, you should expect an added cost. A buck a foot seems very reasonable to me. You will have to rely on the current rate for concrete in your area. The contractor will know where he wants to get it as part of his price.

Marv's picture of his patio brings up another thing to consider.

If you're going with stamped to mimic flagstone, having the color mixed into the concrete will give you a solid color finish with no variations--something not found in natural stone. However, adding the color powder to the already poured concrete, before the stamping, will give you the irregular color tones throughout the driveway, like in Marv's patio. That irregularity, along with the stamping, may be a more authentic look that you'd like. Of course, you now are in the wear away, fade, category. And yes, Marv your patio looks really great!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1485814738.jpg

This is a shot of my deck, with the color mixed into the concrete in the truck. The variations in color are due to the sealer bringing the color to the surface in the low areas.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1485814738.jpg

This is the 'crete that had stain added to the surface.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1485814738.jpg

These two slabs were about the same color when poured. The gray one was stained on the surface, the colored on has the color mixed in the concrete.

Yes, you understand the process right. The loose powder is washed after the stamping process. The powder embedded into the concrete remains giving the stamping the color and varied tone. Then sealer is applied over it. If you buy colored concrete for $15 extra per yard, that works out to about 7.75 cents per square foot extra. Not a significant expense compared to $6.50 per s.f. or whatever price you're being quoted. There is no way I'd go for applying a colored top layer to the concrete - if I understand what you said correctly.

I have stamped concrete all around the pool area and back patio. About every other year I hafts break out a new $17 hudson sprayer and a couple gallons of sealer and spray it down real good but it looks great.
But we don't have ice or moss or any of that other stuff to mess with.

And we don't drive on it.