Do I qualify?
Clearly, not everyone is qualified to take on an acid staining project. You should probably have some experience with DIY projects and possibly even a little exposure to working with power tools. However, I personally believe that many acid staining projects are within the capabilities of really almost anyone with a willingness to learn and some patience.
Keep in mind, you can completely mess this up! At the very least, your project can come out looking completely different than what you had intended. Do not attempt to stain your floors if you are not prepared to get results that you weren’t prepared for (maybe read that twice)! If you do “screw up royally” your possible backup plans are not good! You may be forced to grind down the concrete (very undesireable option) or find a different treatment (carpet, wood, paint, tile, etc).
Successfully staining concrete floors takes attention to detail and above all, careful and dedicated preparation. Every step you take in the process must be very well done or you risk derailing the entire process with no chance for “do-overs.”
That scary stuff is what the experts will tell you makes an acid stained concrete floor a “pro-only” job. If you lack the confidence to dig in and problem solve, then by all means, hire a pro. It will cost you significantly more money (upwards to $10 or more a square foot), but you will probably get the desired results and you won’t lose sleep over it. If, however, you want to give your project that added value and satisfaction that comes with all DIY projects and you can follow some pretty simple directions (oh and you want to save a boatload of money) then read on!
Next: Does my floor qualify?