How much does concrete floor polishing cost in New Brunswick?

Concrete floor polishing in New Brunswick typically runs $3–$12 per square foot, depending on the condition of the slab and the finish level you're after. For a standard basement or garage floor in decent shape, budget $3–$6/sq ft for a basic grind-and-seal. A mid-range commercial-style polish with multiple grind passes and densifier lands around $5–$8/sq ft, while a high-gloss showroom finish with decorative aggregates exposed or dye added can reach $10–$12/sq ft or more.

To put that in real numbers for a typical NB home: a 400 sq ft basement floor might cost $1,200–$3,200 for a quality mid-range finish. A two-car garage (roughly 500 sq ft) could run $1,500–$4,000.

What drives the price up or down? The biggest factor is slab condition. New Brunswick's freeze-thaw cycles are brutal — if your concrete has significant cracking, spalling, or old paint/adhesive to remove, expect extra prep charges of $0.50–$2/sq ft on top of the base rate. Poured basements from the 1970s–1990s (extremely common in Riverview, Quispamsis, New Maryland, and suburban Fredericton) often have softer concrete that requires more grinding passes to achieve a good finish. Aggregate exposure level, dye or staining, and the number of polish grind stages (typically 4–8 passes from coarse to fine) all affect the final number.

Moisture is the conversation to have before anything else. NB's high water tables and clay soils mean basement slabs frequently have moisture migrating up from below. A polished concrete floor on a wet slab will fail — the densifier won't bond properly and the finish will degrade. Ask any contractor about moisture testing (calcium chloride or RH probe test) before committing. If moisture is an issue, remediation adds cost but is non-negotiable.

This is firmly a hire-a-pro job — not because it's dangerous, but because the equipment (planetary grinders, planetary polishers, industrial vacuums) costs tens of thousands of dollars to rent or own, and an inexperienced operator can burn through the cream layer of your slab and leave you with an unfixable mess. The chemical densifier application timing is also critical and takes experience to get right.

No permits are required for floor polishing — it's a finishing trade, not structural work. That said, if you're converting an unfinished basement to a living space at the same time, the broader renovation may trigger a building permit from your local municipality or Regional Service Commission.

NB Power rebates don't apply to flooring, but if you're doing a full basement renovation alongside the polishing, it's worth looking into the NB Power Total Home Energy Savings Program for insulation and air sealing upgrades while the space is open.

Get at least three quotes and ask each contractor specifically about their process for NB's climate conditions — any experienced local contractor will know to address moisture and freeze-thaw cracking as part of their assessment. You can find polishing contractors serving your area through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory.