Utah’s home market is hot right now. It’s a seller’s market for sure. But it doesn’t matter how high the market is—if your home lacks curb appeal or is in obvious need of repairs, potential buyers may not give it a second look.
Curb appeal can raise property value as much as 12 percent and increase resale value up to 14 percent. It also decreases the amount of time your home spends on the market. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Before you go crazy planting flowers to make things look pretty, let’s take a look at some ways to see actual return on investment.
Key Takeaways: Best Concrete Improvements for Home Sellers
- Repair all visible cracks – especially foundation issues wider than a nickel that raise red flags for buyers.
- Update kitchen countertops – concrete offers a high-end look at 30–40% less cost than granite or quartz.
- Create an inviting patio – decorative concrete delivers 60–70% ROI while mimicking premium materials.
- Remove oil and grease stains – clean driveways signal well-maintained homes and prevent buyer concerns.
- Prioritize buyer red flags first – address deferred maintenance issues before investing in aesthetic upgrades.
How Concrete Improvements Impact First Impressions
Most buyers have a hard time seeing past messy landscaping, cracks in concrete patios and a cluttered home or yard. Savvy sellers know how to make their home appealing to buyers. This includes:
- Cleaning up landscaping and exterior spaces
- Staging the interior for buyer appeal
- Making necessary repairs before listing
Since 1950, Intermountain Concrete Specialties has helped Utah homeowners and contractors with concrete projects that boost property value. Here’s what we’ve learned about which concrete improvements actually pay off when it’s time to sell.
Repair Cracked Concrete Before Selling Your Home
Concrete cracks raise a red flag for homebuyers. If you notice cracks in concrete patios, sidewalks or walkways it’s important to repair them before they get worse.
Foundation cracks require immediate attention. Check for cracks in the foundation and remember, if the crack is wider than a nickel, you’ll need to have it looked at by the pros. Buyers often request professional inspections when they spot foundation issues, which can delay or kill a sale entirely.
Minor cracks in driveways and walkways are easier fixes. Simple crack repair can be completed in an afternoon and costs significantly less than the price reduction buyers will demand if they spot damaged concrete during showings.
Update Your Kitchen With Concrete Countertops
A kitchen can make or break a sale. Potential buyers look for updated floors and countertops, and an outdated kitchen can affect overall home value. But you don’t have to spend all of your potential profits updating a kitchen you won’t be using once you sell.
A minor kitchen remodel can result in 114 percent of costs recouped. That’s one of the highest ROI improvements you can make.
Concrete countertops are an affordable and creative way to update a kitchen for a completely customized look. The average cost of a standard thickness concrete countertop is actually less costly than granite, engineered quartz and other high-end materials. You get the high-end look buyers want without the premium price tag that eats into your profit.
Create a High-ROI Patio With Decorative Concrete
This is another space that’s important to potential home buyers, and improvement dollars can yield a strong ROI. Materials will affect the price of the patio, but using higher grade materials won’t necessarily give you a higher ROI.
The next thing to consider is whether pavers or decorative concrete will give you the best resale value. Both options appeal to buyers, but decorative concrete offers the following distinct advantages for home sellers:
- Cost – Decorative concrete typically costs 30–50% less than natural stone pavers.
- Installation time – Decorative concrete can be poured and finished in days, not weeks.
- Maintenance appeal – Buyers appreciate the low-maintenance surface with no weeds growing between pavers.
- Customization – Decorative concrete can mimic high-end materials like flagstone or slate at a fraction of the cost.
- Durability – Utah’s freeze-thaw cycles can shift pavers over time, while properly installed concrete stays put.
Decorative concrete is the ideal option in virtually every scenario. It gives you that high-end look, without using materials that take more money out of your pocket than they’ll put back in it.
Remove Oil and Stains From Concrete Surfaces
Fluids such as oil, gas and transmission fluid can leave stains on garage floors, driveways and patios. Whether a stain is new or old, it can usually be removed or lightened, depending on the surface.
For oil stains, an enzymatic multi-surface cleaner like Grime Monster can help breakdown oil and grease without leaving a halo effect. New spills can be covered with cat litter or baking soda, to absorb excess oil.
Different non-oil stains may require different processes and products. An ICS concrete specialist can help you determine the best method to remove your particular concrete stain.
Don’t underestimate the impact of a clean driveway. A fresh-looking concrete surface signals to buyers that the home has been well-maintained, while stains suggest neglect and potential mechanical issues with vehicles.
Strategic Concrete Improvements: Where To Start
There are plenty of options to choose from to improve the value of your home. A little research on the best investment for your neighborhood and budget could pay off nicely when it’s time to put your home on the market.
First, be sure to focus on buyer red flags. Cracked concrete and visible stains should be your top priority. These signal deferred maintenance and give buyers negotiating power.
Once that’s done, then invest in visual impact. Kitchen and patio updates deliver the “wow factor” that generates offers, especially when you use cost-effective materials like decorative concrete that punch above their price point.
Whether you’re tackling repairs yourself or need professional guidance, Intermountain Concrete Specialties has the products, rentals and expertise to help you complete your pre-sale concrete projects efficiently. Stop by one of our seven Utah locations to talk through your specific project needs and get the right materials to maximize your home’s value.
Concrete Improvements for Home Sellers FAQs
How much does it cost to repair cracked concrete before selling a home?
Minor crack repairs typically cost $300–$800 for a standard driveway or walkway, depending on the extent of damage. Foundation crack evaluation and repair can range from $500–$3,000+ depending on severity. These repairs prevent buyers from requesting much larger price reductions during negotiations.
Do concrete countertops increase home value?
Yes, concrete countertops can increase home value by delivering an updated, high-end look at 30–40% less than the cost of granite or quartz. Minor kitchen remodels return 113% of costs on average, making countertop updates one of the highest ROI improvements for sellers.
What’s the ROI on decorative concrete patios compared to other patio materials?
Decorative concrete patios typically deliver 60–70% ROI while costing significantly less than natural stone or pavers upfront. Because the installation cost is lower, your net return is often higher than premium materials that don’t proportionally increase buyer offers.
How do I remove oil stains from my driveway before listing my home?
Fresh oil stains respond well to absorbent materials like cat litter or baking soda applied immediately. For set-in stains, enzymatic cleaners like Grime Monster break down oil without leaving residue. Stubborn stains may require professional treatment or concrete resurfacing.
Should I repair or replace damaged concrete before selling my home?
Repair is usually more cost-effective for isolated cracks or minor surface damage. Consider replacement when damage covers more than 30% of the surface area, or when the concrete is severely uneven and poses a safety concern. An ICS specialist can assess your specific situation.
What concrete improvements offer the best return on investment when selling?
Crack repairs, stain removal and decorative concrete patios deliver the strongest ROI because they’re relatively affordable while addressing major buyer concerns. Kitchen concrete countertops also perform well, especially in homes where the kitchen feels dated but the layout is functional.
Ryan Duncan
President
Ryan Duncan is the President of Intermountain Concrete Specialties, a leading provider of concrete supplies and rental equipment in Utah and Idaho. Ryan brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having joined the company in 2010. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth understanding of all facets of concrete construction equipment and supplies. ... Learn More
