Compare · Las Vegas, NV
DIY Kit vs Professional Install in Las Vegas
The kits are not the problem. The slab is. Petrocalcic ground, high-pH concrete and 104-degree July afternoons are.
| Factor | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Usually acid etch or a hand grinder | Mechanical grind to a concrete profile |
| Moisture test | Rarely done | Done before the price is quoted |
| Cure window in summer | Pot life shortens in the heat | Schedule set around slab temperature |
| Failure mode | Peels from the edges in a year or two | Warranted against delamination |
Why kits peel here.
These slabs are poured over shallow, carbonatic ground that runs at pH 8.4 to 8.6. A film laid onto a dusting, unprepared surface has nothing to bond to, and the first monsoon season lifts it at the apron.
What professional prep buys.
A ground profile, crack repair, moisture reading and a primer chosen for the slab. That is most of the difference in price.