You want to see work they have done . Asking is not the answer. So you are having all new concrete that is stained it that what is planned? I need a bit mor einfo .

I have never seen a successful stained concrete job. I have seen polished and sealed concrete slabs that look pretty good but the contractor should know the final finish BEFORE THE SLAB IS POURED! The crew will take extra care if they know that nothing is being applied to the concrete when they smooth it.

I also would rather have 48-inch square porcelain tile that looks like concrete for the final finish.

10mil plastic under the pour.

I did 15 MM. It's a true vapor barrier. Prep makes all the difference.

I amwaiting for the OP to say something.

1. Don't expect a great job to save money vs alternates (wood, tile).
2. Your foundation contractor needs to know prior, prep may be different. I'd certainly use a good grid of slab reinforcement, possibly fiber, and plan expansion joints under walls if possible.
3. Cracks will show but that's part of the charm. (see #2)
4. Stamped concrete is too unforgiving for interior & bare feet
5. Your framing contractor needs to know, caulk lines, ink marks & marking paint will show through
6. I've seen most get resurfaced.
7. But I'd consider it myself
8. Hydronic heat is also an expensive luxury to consider
9. budget for area rugs

Depending on the look that you are attempting to achieve, would colored concrete be an option? We had pigmented concrete, ( medium brown ) poured in our garage, and it was absolutely beautiful. I suppose the experts can weigh in, but I would imagine this would be a less expensive option And still give a great luck

Hello, all. We have in mind to have treated our existing 4 inch concrete slab to be the finished floor in the bathroom, possibly including the shower area. We know the slab will remain cold and unforgiving. The room is only roughed-in so it is bare except for painted drywall. The shower area has only studs and insulation. There is nothing atop the slab. I've done some reading and there is SO much info: acid washing, densification, diamond grinding, coatings, stains, dyes, paints, etc.. We are new to the Whiteville, NC area and know no contractors to trust but want to find one who is trustworthy, knowledgable, experienced and has integrity. Where do we begin? What is essential for us to realize? I should add that I am interested in being as "green" as possible with the materials and process. Thanks.

You begin with the realization that you cannot do that. Not without a full jackhammer and very expensive rebuild. Concrete is porous. It holds and wicks water. Shower areas have to be sloped, in order for water to move to the drain. Shower floors slso have to be waterproofed. Or else that big slab of concrete is a huge wet sponge, and the wood that touches it will all rot.

There are ways of doing this, with micro cement toppings, after you jackhammer out the existing floor, in order to create a slope into the concrete. And a whole bunch more expensive and specialty rebuilding. Including capillary breaks in the micro cement topping.

Thank you for responding. The shower area concrete does slope. You are saying there is no way to grind the top of the 4 inch concrete slab and then cover with a decorative product and sealer? Or perhaps your response was to the originator of this post and not my comment.

No way to do that and have it be waterproof. And it has to be waterproof.

Thanks, Lalo and all others who commented. I still haven't decided what to do with that floor. There is a water-bourne "green" colored treatment that I may settle on. Still assessing options. The diamond-grind polishing option is a minimum of $1600. per the nearest company that does that work. I'm trying to not spend that much on the floor.

We are planning on doing stained floors in our new home. The cement is finished very well. We have in floor heating. The kitchen, pantry, guest bathroom and utility room.

I haven't done this before but believe that I can. And if it doesn't work out I can always do something different. With the floor being heated the heat transfer will be better also so energy saving in this aspect.