What does a garage floor cost in Pittsburgh?
Replacing a concrete garage floor around Pittsburgh usually runs $9 to $15 per square foot, so about $4,500 to $8,500 for a two-car garage. But replacing isn't always the answer. Lifting, resurfacing or coating can cost far less, if your floor qualifies. It also covers epoxy garage floor cost, for floors that are sound but need a new surface.
Updated
| Option | Price per sq ft | One-car, about 240 sq ft | Two-car, about 480 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seal cracks and seal the floor | $1.50 to $3 | $400 to $700 | $750 to $1,400 |
| Epoxy flake coating | $5 to $9 | $1,300 to $2,200 | $2,200 to $4,000 |
| Concrete resurfacing | $4 to $10 | $1,000 to $2,400 | $2,000 to $4,800 |
| Lift sunken sections | $4 to $12 | $400 to $1,500 | $800 to $2,500 |
| Full replacement | $9 to $15 | $2,500 to $4,500 | $4,500 to $8,500 |
Which option fits your floor
Start with what is actually wrong. The right answer comes from the cause, not the look of the floor.
| What you see | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Hairline cracks, floor is level | Fill, seal or coat |
| Flaking top, floor is level | Resurface, then coat |
| One section has dropped | Lift it |
| Floor tilts toward a wall | Lift it, or replace it |
| Wide cracks with lips across the floor | Replace it |
| Crumbling, or it rocks under the car | Replace it |
What goes into a replacement price
- Saw cutting and breaking out. Usually $3 to $7 per square foot with hauling.
- Stone and compaction. Often $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Steel. Mesh or rebar, about $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot.
- Concrete and finishing. Usually $4 to $7 per square foot.
- Access. Tuck-under garages and alley lots often need a pump or hand work.
Tuck-under and older garages
A tuck-under garage under a Pittsburgh house is a harder job than a detached garage. Low ceilings keep larger machines out, so break-out goes slowly. Concrete usually has to be pumped or wheeled in. Add around $1 to $4 per square foot compared with an open site. Older detached garages have their own trouble, as block walls may sit directly on the old floor edge. In that case we keep the edge in place or add support.
Costs to add or skip
| Add-on | Typical price | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Vapor barrier | $0.30 to $0.60 per sq ft | Yes, if you plan a coating |
| Rebar instead of mesh | $0.50 to $1.25 per sq ft | Yes on poor soil |
| Floor drain | $500 to $1,500 | Only if you can tie it in legally |
| Thicker slab for a lift | $0.60 to $1 per inch per sq ft | Yes if a lift is planned |
| Epoxy after 28 days | $5 to $9 per sq ft | Yes for salt and looks |
Epoxy on a new or an old floor
Coating a new floor costs less than coating an old one, because it needs less repair. Still, new concrete has to cure for around 28 days first. If you are replacing the floor, ask for a vapor barrier under it, because a coating fails when moisture comes up through the slab. For an older floor, our epoxy garage floors page explains the grinding and repairs involved.
How long each fix lasts
| Fix | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Sealer | 2 to 5 years |
| Resurfacing | 8 to 15 years |
| Concrete lifting | Many years if the water is managed |
| Epoxy flake coating | 10 to 20 years |
| New floor, done well | 30 years or more |
Making a new floor last
Stop water first. Keep downspouts away from the garage, and make sure the driveway doesn't slope in. Rinse road salt off in the winter. Seal the floor or coat it. Most Pittsburgh garage floors don't fail from weight. They fail from salt and water. See concrete sealing and garage floor replacement for what is involved.
Prices by garage size
Garages around Pittsburgh vary more than people expect. Many older detached garages were built for smaller cars, while newer attached garages can be 24 feet deep or more. Measure inside the walls, multiply length by width and use these ranges to get a rough figure for a full replacement.
| Garage | Floor area | Pour new | Replace old floor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small one-car, 12 x 20 | 240 sq ft | $1,700 to $2,650 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Standard one-car, 14 x 22 | 308 sq ft | $2,150 to $3,400 | $3,000 to $5,300 |
| Small two-car, 20 x 20 | 400 sq ft | $2,800 to $4,400 | $3,800 to $6,500 |
| Standard two-car, 24 x 24 | 576 sq ft | $4,000 to $6,300 | $5,300 to $9,000 |
| Three-car, 24 x 34 | 816 sq ft | $5,700 to $8,900 | $7,500 to $12,500 |
Why garage floors fail around Pittsburgh
Weight is rarely the problem. Cars are not heavy for what a 4 inch slab can carry. The usual culprit is road salt. Your car brings in slush all winter, it melts, and the salty water soaks into the floor. Each freeze then pops off a little more of the surface. That is why the worst flaking is usually right under the tires and just inside the door.
The other culprit is the ground. Many older floors were poured straight on dirt or loose fill, sometimes only 2 to 3 inches thick. Water coming in under the door washes out the soil, and the floor sinks at the front. Downspouts next to a garage corner do the same. A new floor needs those water problems fixed too, or the new slab can follow the old one.
How long the job takes
A typical replacement takes 2 to 4 working days, then about a week before you can park on it. Breaking out and hauling usually takes a day. Base work and forms take another. The pour is usually one morning. You will want to clear the garage completely, including shelves that are fixed to the floor, and plan for somewhere else to park for about 10 days. In cold weather, curing takes longer, so allow more time before driving on it.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a garage floor?
Usually $9 to $15 per square foot around Pittsburgh, including breaking out the old floor.
How much does it cost to replace a concrete garage floor?
A one-car floor is about $2,500 to $4,500, and a two-car floor about $4,500 to $8,500.
How much does it cost to pour a new garage floor?
In a new garage with no removal, about $7 to $11 per square foot, or $3,400 to $5,300 for a two-car floor.
How much does it cost to fix a garage floor?
From a few hundred dollars for crack sealing to $2,500 or more for lifting or resurfacing. Full replacement costs more.
How much does it cost to fix a cracked garage floor?
Usually $200 to $600 for filling cracks. If the floor has moved, plan on lifting or replacing it.
How much should a garage slab cost?
About $8 to $14 per square foot, with footers or thickened edges.
How much does a new garage slab cost?
Most two-car slabs in a new garage run about $4,000 to $7,000, depending on site work.
How much does it cost to install a garage floor drain?
About $500 to $1,500 during a replacement. Check with your municipality, since drains can't always discharge to the sewer.
How much does it cost to level a garage floor?
Lifting the sunken sections of a two-car floor usually runs about $800 to $2,500. If the floor is sound but rough or uneven on top, resurfacing a two-car floor, about $2,000 to $4,800, is the other option.
More concrete services
- concrete slabs in Pittsburgh
- concrete garage floors
- concrete basement floors
- concrete flatwork
- exposed aggregate concrete
- concrete footers
- shed slabs and hot tub pads
- concrete leveling in Pittsburgh
- concrete resurfacing in Pittsburgh
- concrete sealing
- epoxy garage floors
- concrete removal