A Checklist for Choosing Who Restores Your Imprinted Concrete
A good imprinted concrete restoration contractor explains the full sequence in writing, includes cleaning, crack repair, hand-cut edges and two coats, bases any claims about drying, durability or grip on the product data sheet, tells you honestly when a recolour is not the answer, and keeps you informed with photos if you are not on site. Use the checklist below to compare proposals.
Send us a photo and the m²Is the scope complete?
- Does the quote include high-pressure cleaning of the whole surface?
- Does it say how loose or failing old coating will be dealt with?
- Are cracks, chips and small holes repaired before colouring?
- Are edges along walls, posts, steps and copings cut in by hand?
- Are two coats of colour included?
- Does it say what is not included?
These six points are the backbone of a lasting result. They are also exactly what our imprinted concrete restoration covers.
Are claims backed by the product data sheet?
- Drying and reopening times are linked to the data sheet and the weather, not stated as fixed hours.
- Durability is discussed in terms of sun, traffic and maintenance, not promised in years.
- Grip around pools is based on what the data sheet documents (to be verified per product).
- Compatibility with pool water is checked rather than assumed.
Our page on resealing and recolouring explains how we handle these questions, and the pool deck restoration page covers the pool-specific ones.
Does the contractor show good judgement?
Ask what they would do if the surface turned out to have a problem a coating cannot solve. A trustworthy answer is that they would stop and tell you. A contractor who is happy to paint over sunken slabs, lifted sections or recurring damp is selling appearance, not a lasting fix.
Our guide on repair or replace gives you the signs to check yourself before asking.
Can you see real examples of their work?
Ask for photos of real jobs, ideally showing the stages, not only finished results. In-progress photos tell you whether cleaning, repairs and edges were done properly.
The Marbella series on this site shows a single project from start to finish, and our step-by-step guide explains each photo.
Does the contractor ask the right questions?
The questions a contractor asks tell you as much as the answers they give. Someone who only wants the square metres is pricing paint; someone who asks about white marks after rain, slabs that move, how the pool is used and when guests arrive is pricing your actual job.
- Do they ask for close-ups of cracks and edges, not just a wide photo?
- Do they ask whether any part of the surface has sunk or lifted?
- Do they ask how the area is used, by cars, guests or children?
- Do they ask about your booking calendar if the villa is let?
If none of these come up, the quote is likely based on assumptions that may not hold once the work starts, and surprises on site are usually what push a job off schedule.
How will residues and wash water be handled?
A contractor should be able to explain where wash water will run and how paint residues are kept out of drains and pools. In Málaga city, for example, the sewer regulation prohibits discharging paints, pigments and water-immiscible solvents into the network.
Is the communication right for you?
- Can you get answers in a language you are comfortable with?
- Are dates, scope and price agreed in writing?
- Will you receive photos at each stage if you are not there?
- Is it clear who to contact on the day, and who your contact on site should speak to?
For owners abroad, these points matter as much as the technical ones. Our article on working with us from abroad shows how we handle them.
Have the paperwork and practicalities been considered?
- Has anyone suggested checking with the ayuntamiento whether a declaración responsable or licence is needed (to be verified for each town)?
- If the area is shared, has the community administrator been involved?
- Is it clear who moves cars, furniture and pots, and who provides water and electricity?
- Does the plan leave a buffer before guests arrive?
Frequently asked questions
What is the single most important thing to check?
That the quote includes proper preparation: cleaning, removal of anything loose and crack repair before colouring. Most coating failures trace back to shortcuts there. Two coats and hand-cut edges come close behind.
Should I get more than one quote?
Comparing two or three quotes is sensible for any work on a property. Compare the scopes line by line, not just the totals, and ask each contractor the same questions from this checklist.
How do I check a contractor's previous work?
Ask for photos of real projects, ideally including in-progress stages. Stage photos show how the work was actually done, which a single finished image cannot.
What should I ask about the paint used?
Ask what type of coating it is and what its data sheet says about application conditions, drying, traffic, maintenance and, for pools, grip and pool water. You do not need a brand name to judge whether the answers are specific and documented.
Is it a good sign if the contractor says no to part of the job?
Often, yes. A contractor who says that a sunken area needs a builder first, or that line marking is outside their field, is showing honesty about limits. That usually means the rest of their advice can be trusted too.
What if I cannot meet the contractor in person?
That is common for owners abroad. Judge them on how clearly they answer in writing, whether they ask for the right photos, and whether they offer progress photos. A written scope and plan protects both sides.
Should the contractor visit before quoting?
Not always. Good photos are often enough for a reliable quote, with a close check after cleaning. If the photos leave doubts, a visit makes sense; a good contractor tells you which applies.
What paperwork should I keep?
Keep the written quote, any messages agreeing dates and scope, payment records and the progress photos. Together they document what was done, which is useful for future maintenance and if you sell the property.
Does the contractor need to check permits?
Permit requirements are the owner's responsibility to confirm with the ayuntamiento, though a good contractor will remind you to check. In Málaga city, similar works are minor works under a declaración responsable; other towns are to be verified.
How do I know the timing is realistic?
Ask how the plan accounts for weather and for the drying stages in the data sheet. A realistic plan includes some flexibility and, for rentals, a buffer before guests arrive. A promise to finish everything in a very tight slot is a reason to ask more.