Concreter › Resurfacing and repairing old concrete
Resurfacing and repairing old concrete
A worn or stained concrete drive can often be brought back with a coating or overlay. If the slab underneath is moving or crumbling, the fix is a new base, not a new top.
Prices on this page are typical UK ranges and estimates as of November 2026. They vary by region, access, ground and the day you ask. Treat them as a way to spot an odd quote, not as a quote.
First, find out why it looks bad
Surface problems and structural problems need different fixes:
- Stains, algae, faded colour, a dull surface. Cleaning and sealing may be enough.
- Flaking or scaling top layer, small holes. Often frost and de-icing salt acting on weak surface concrete. A bonded resurfacing may work.
- Hairline cracks. Common and often harmless. Seal them to keep water out.
- Wide, stepped or sinking cracks. The ground or sub-base is moving. Resurfacing will not hold; the cause has to be fixed. Often breaking out is the only lasting answer.
- Heaving near trees. Roots may be lifting the slab.
Typical costs
MyJobQuote's page (updated October 2026) gives these UK figures:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete crack repairs | £250 to £700 |
| Resurfacing a 60 m² driveway | £1,500 to £3,500 |
| Decorative concrete coating | £1,800 to £4,000 |
| Resealing | £280 to £900 |
| New installed concrete, per m² | £85 to £130 |
For comparison, a full replacement of a 60 m² drive is quoted at £5,500 to £8,000 in the same guide, so resurfacing costs far less when it is suitable. The guide adds that concrete cannot simply be topped up and has to be replaced once it is beyond economic repair.
Resurfacing options
- Cleaning and sealing. Cheapest. Clean properly first, then seal with a product made for concrete.
- Polymer-modified overlay. A thin cement-based layer bonded to the old slab, sometimes stamped or coloured. Needs a sound slab and good preparation.
- Coating. Paint-like or resin coatings. Wear and peel if the base is damp or dirty.
- Replace. Break out, remove and relay on a proper base. See driveway costs.
What good preparation involves
- Remove oil, algae and loose material.
- Repair cracks and holes with a suitable repair mortar.
- Check falls so water drains away; a coating on a surface that holds water will fail sooner.
- Apply in dry weather and follow the product's curing time before using the drive.
Ask for evidence and a warranty
Ask the installer how long the product is expected to last, what warranty is given, and what happens if it peels. A written specification that names the product and the preparation method is more useful than a verbal promise. Look at older jobs, not only photos from last month. See questions to ask a concreter.
Questions to ask the installer about a resurfacing quote
- Is the existing slab sound enough for an overlay, and how did you test it?
- What thickness will the new layer be, and how does it bond to the old surface?
- What happens at the edges, joints and door thresholds?
- How long before I can walk and drive on it?
- What is the guarantee, and does it cover peeling or lifting?
Prevention
De-icing salt can damage concrete, according to MyJobQuote, so use grit or sand where you can. Keep sealed surfaces clean, and read curing and cracking to understand why slabs fail in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
Can you resurface old concrete?
Often yes, if the slab is sound. Cracked, sinking or moving slabs need the cause fixed first.
How much does it cost to resurface a driveway?
MyJobQuote gives £1,500 to £3,500 for a 60 m² drive and £1,800 to £4,000 for a decorative coating, as of its October 2026 update.
Should I fill cracks in concrete?
Narrow cracks can be sealed to keep water out. Wide or stepped cracks suggest movement and need an assessment.