DIY Concrete Countertops: The True Cost of Hardware Store Mixes
“Most makers focus on the bag price, but the real cost shows up in time - hours lost to pinholes, polishing, and repairs that premium mixes like Maker Mix eliminate.” -Brandon Gore
You can walk into Menards, grab a few bags of “concrete countertop mix,” and think you’re saving money. But are you? This week on The Concrete Podcast, Brandon and Jon break down the real cost of DIY concrete countertops - from what those hardware store mixes truly cost per square foot, to how they stack up against professional-grade materials like Kodiak Pro’s Maker Mix.
They unpack why DIY-grade concrete often leads to cracking, discoloration, and sealer failure, and why pro mixes actually save money in the long run. It’s an honest look at dollars, cents, and craftsmanship - because when you’re building something meant to last, the hardware store option usually costs you the most.
If you’ve ever wondered what separates a weekend project from a professional result, this episode will show you the numbers, the science, and the truth behind every bag of mix.
#TheConcretePodcast #DIYConcreteCountertops #ConcreteCountertops #KodiakPro #MakerMix #ConcreteMixComparison #Craftsmanship #ConcreteSealer #ConcreteProjects #MakerMindset
TRANSCRIPT SUMMARY:
[0:15] Holiday Promo: The Maker’s Holiday Haul (Kodiak Pro + YETI)
We kicked off the Maker’s Holiday Haul, our Kodiak Pro YETI giveaway. Any Kodiak Pro purchase in November and December counts toward reward tiers. From custom can coolers and mugs to the Tundra 35, you earn based on your cumulative spend. Quality matters, which is why we chose YETI. They hold up, they’re dishwasher safe, and they simply last.
[3:06] Workshop Recap (Ramm-Crete + Fundamentals)
We’ve got two Concrete Design School events in Goddard, KS:
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Ramm-Crete Workshop: January 24–25 (rammed earth aesthetic in thin sections)
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Fundamentals Workshop: February 21–22 (beginner’s path into DIY concrete)
Ramm-Crete is just plain fun and full of possibility. Makers are pushing it from sinks and vanities to furniture and architectural details. Early adopters are pioneering the look, which means the ceiling is sky-high for anyone willing to explore.
[5:19] Today’s Topic: DIY vs Pro-Grade Concrete Countertop Costs
A contractor sent photos of a cast-in-place outdoor countertop with significant cracking. Good intent, DIY effort, tough outcome. It sparked a straight talk comparison between off-the-shelf bagged mixes and professional materials like Kodiak Pro Maker Mix.
Quick baseline:
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Many hardware-store “countertop” mixes recommend 1.5 in thickness.
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Maker Mix is typically cast at 1.0 in in SCC GFRC workflows, saving material, weight, and time.
The Math (apples to apples)
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Hardware store white “countertop” mix (50 lb): about $39/bag at 1.5 in thick → roughly $11.80/sq ft.
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Maker Mix shipped to your door: about $50/bag at 1.0 in thick → roughly $10.00/sq ft.
Result: Pro-grade Maker Mix can actually cost less per square foot while delivering higher performance, a thinner section, and faster processing.
Even if you find a cheaper gray bag (say ~$21/bag), the hidden costs hit fast: thicker sections, primary steel reinforcement, time to buy and haul, plus downstream finishing labor.
[10:59] Fiber Loading and Flowability (GFRC that actually works)
We poured an SCC GFRC concrete countertop in class that came out flawless. “SCC” means self-consolidating concrete - it places like a thick milkshake and self-levels with minimal vibration. With Maker Mix, fibers distribute evenly, flow is predictable, and the end result looks professional without pro-level rework.
What that means for you:
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Less fight in the mold, fewer pinholes, fewer cold joints.
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Better reinforcement with less thickness.
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More control for DIY concrete makers and pros alike.
[14:59] Surface Quality in GFRC: Where Time Hides
Most makers obsess over bag price and forget to clock finishing time. Cheaper mix ≠ cheaper project if you spend 6–10 extra hours slurrying pinholes, polishing out defects, and chasing issues. That time is either:
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Unpaid labor that steals your evenings, or
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Lost opportunity that prevents you from starting the next concrete sink or countertop job.
If you value time at even $100/hour, 8 extra hours is $800 - far more than any “savings” of a few bucks a square foot for hardware store mix.
[20:38] DIY Concrete and Profitability (Do the full math)
Consider everything:
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Drive time to the store and back (often 2–3 hours).
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Primary reinforcement for thicker sections.
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Extra processing to fix pinholes and defects.
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Potential tear-outs if the project fails.
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Reputation if you’re a pro. Your name rides on the finish.
When you add true costs, pro-grade materials often save money and projects.
[28:30] A 21-Year Reality Check (Materials make the maker look good)
If I had today’s materials when I started 21 years ago, my earliest pieces would have looked massively better. Same hands, better mix. Professional materials raise your baseline so your work looks elite, even before you’ve mastered every technique.
[39:39] Brand and Integrity (The cost of “cheap”)
Saving a couple bucks a square foot can cost you your brand. Your clients judge you by what they see and touch. Punching holes in your reputation to save on materials is a bad trade. Maker Mix exists so your work can leave the shop looking like the story you promised the client.
[46:00] Field Question: Refinishing Existing Concrete Countertops
A common question: “Parts of my countertop are smooth and waxy, parts are gritty and stained. How do I refinish?”
Clean, dust-controlled resurfacing:
Use Kodiak Pro diamond sanding/polishing pads sized for common dust-extracting sanders (Bosch, Metabo, Festool, Mirka). Mechanically remove old coatings back to raw concrete with extraction running.
Reseal the right way:
Apply ICT Reactive Sealer (the same system we rely on). ICT chemically reacts within the concrete. It isn’t a plastic film, so it ages gracefully and is repairable in place.
Patina is a feature: Like leather and copper, well-sealed concrete develops character. With the right sealer and maintenance, it gets better with time.
[52:25] Work-Life Balance for Makers (Why time matters)
You serve people best when you’re not buried in rework. I used to work 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., six or seven days a week. Today I structure my days to be present for my family. Pro-grade materials help me deliver high-end work in fewer hours. More profit, less grind, more life.
[57:17] Where the Industry Is Heading (Thinner, denser, better)
Ramm-Crete used to mean massive sections. Now we’re exploring elegant, thin profiles that keep the look and ditch the weight. GFRC keeps improving. Sealers evolve. As materials improve, makers win - projects get lighter, faster, cleaner, and more durable.
If you want concrete countertops or concrete sinks that look professional without losing weekends to repairs, choose materials that multiply your effort. Maker Mix and ICT help you spend less time fixing and more time building. That’s how you cross the finish line proud, on schedule, and profitable.