Not all concrete sealing quotes are created equal. The lowest price often means cut corners — the wrong sealer, skipped prep work, or no insurance. Here's what to look for so you can make an informed decision and protect your investment.
You've got two or three quotes in hand. The prices are different — maybe wildly different. How do you know which one is actually the best value? Price matters, but it's not the whole picture. A cheap sealing job done with the wrong product can actually damage your concrete and cost you more in the long run.
Here are the seven things you should compare before signing anything.
This is the single most important question you can ask — and the one most homeowners never think to ask. There are fundamentally different types of concrete sealers, and the wrong one can do more harm than good on outdoor concrete in Kansas City.
A penetrating sealer soaks into the pores of the concrete and reacts chemically with the minerals inside to form a hydrophobic barrier below the surface. It doesn't change how your concrete looks — no shine, no film, no glossy finish. Water and de-icing salts simply can't get in.
Because the protection is inside the concrete rather than on top of it, there's nothing to peel, flake, bubble, or wear off. The sealer is breathable, meaning moisture trapped beneath the slab can still escape upward — which is critical in Kansas City's freeze-thaw climate. If moisture gets trapped inside the concrete and freezes, it expands and causes spalling (that surface pitting and flaking you see on older driveways).
Acrylic sealers and other film-forming products sit on top of the concrete surface as a plastic-like coating. They give concrete a glossy, "wet look" finish that some homeowners initially find appealing. But on outdoor concrete in a climate like Kansas City's, they cause serious problems:
Bottom line: If a contractor is quoting you an acrylic or film-forming sealer for your outdoor driveway, patio, or sidewalk in the Kansas City area, that's a red flag. Penetrating sealers are the industry-recommended choice for exterior concrete in freeze-thaw climates. Ask every contractor what product they use — and look it up.
A concrete sealer can only bond to a clean surface. If dirt, algae, mildew, oil stains, or debris are sitting on the concrete when the sealer goes down, the sealer bonds to the dirt — not the concrete. The result is poor adhesion, uneven coverage, and drastically reduced protection.
A thorough pressure wash before sealing isn't optional — it's a required step for a sealing job done correctly. Some contractors skip it to save time. Others quote sealing at one price, then hit you with an additional charge for the pressure washing.
At Prime Pavement KC, every sealing job includes a full pressure wash at no extra charge. It's built into the process because the job can't be done right without it.
What to ask: "Does your quote include pressure washing the concrete before sealing, or is that extra?"
This one is non-negotiable. If a contractor is working on your property without insurance and someone gets hurt — or your concrete, landscaping, or home is damaged during the job — you could be held liable. Your homeowner's insurance may not cover it.
General liability insurance protects you from property damage and injuries that happen during the work. It's a basic cost of doing business, and any reputable contractor carries it.
Prime Pavement KC is fully insured. We're happy to provide proof of insurance before any job — just ask.
What to ask: "Can you provide a certificate of insurance before starting work?"
Some contractors sell the job and then send a subcontracted crew to your property — people you've never spoken to, who may not know the details of what was agreed on. If something goes wrong, you're stuck between the contractor who quoted you and the crew who actually did the work.
When you hire Prime Pavement KC, the owner — Joe Faerber — is on every single job. The person who gives you the quote is the same person doing the work. That means direct accountability: if you have a question, a concern, or need something adjusted on site, you're talking to the person in charge.
What to ask: "Will you personally be doing the work, or will you be sending a crew?"
A quote that looks low on paper can balloon once the work starts. Watch for contractors who add charges for things that should be included in any honest quote:
Our quotes include everything — pressure washing, materials, labor, and cleanup. The price we quote is the price you pay.
What to ask: "Is this quote all-inclusive, or are there additional charges I should know about?"
A contractor who stands behind their work will put it in writing. Ask about their satisfaction guarantee — what happens if you're not happy with the result? What if the sealer doesn't perform as expected?
At Prime Pavement KC, we guarantee your satisfaction. If you're not happy with how the job turned out, we'll make it right. We use this product every day and know exactly how it should look and perform when it's applied correctly.
What to ask: "What's your guarantee if I'm not satisfied with the work?"
Testimonials on a contractor's own website are hand-picked — they'll never post a bad one. Google reviews are harder to fake and give you a much better picture of what it's actually like to work with someone.
Look for patterns, not just star ratings. Do reviewers mention the specific things that matter — communication, showing up on time, quality of the finished work, fair pricing? Do they have reviews from the last few months, or are they all from years ago?
Prime Pavement KC has five-star reviews from homeowners across the Kansas City metro. We encourage you to read them before making a decision — check our Google reviews here.
What to ask: "Can I find your reviews on Google?" (If they hesitate, that tells you something.)
Concrete sealing is one of the most affordable ways to protect your driveway, patio, or sidewalk. Replacing a concrete driveway runs roughly $10 per square foot — that's $10,000 to $30,000+ depending on size. Sealing it properly costs a fraction of that and can add years of life to the surface.
But a bad sealing job — wrong product, no prep, sloppy application — can actually accelerate damage. The cheapest quote can end up being the most expensive mistake. Take 10 minutes to ask the right questions, compare what's actually included, and hire someone who does it right the first time.
Fill out the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours with a detailed, all-inclusive estimate. No hidden fees — what we quote is what you pay.