Transforming your home, business, warehouse, or garage with a stylish, heavy-duty floor coating is an increasingly popular upgrade. But without hiring an experienced epoxy flooring contractor, your dreams of an attractive showroom-quality floor could turn into a disappointing mess. Ask customers who have had to repair peeling coatings, uneven surfaces, and other issues shortly after installation due to contractors cutting corners.
Don’t let that happen to your essential flooring investment. Keep reading to learn what crucial questions you must ask before hiring any contractor to avoid these all-too-common problems and make your dream flooring upgrade a reality.
Eight Questions to Ask an Epoxy Flooring Contractor
- Are You Properly Licensed and Insured?
Before hiring an epoxy flooring contractor, verify they are properly licensed for commercial and residential work in your state. Many contractors illegally operate without licenses. Check with your state licensing board to validate active, valid licensing. This provides recourse if any issues arise.
Additionally, you must request documentation proving liability insurance and workers’ compensation policies with adequate coverage limits. This protects you financially in case of on-site injuries, property damage, or other incidents. Reputable contractors readily provide current certificates.
Beware of contractors who are evasive or unwilling when asked to provide proof of insurance, as this typically indicates deeper problems. Legitimate contractors have this paperwork available upfront.
- What Types of Epoxy Products and Systems Do You Use?
There are many grades of epoxy coatings. Knowledgeable contractors use professional-grade products designed for maximum durability. Ask about the specific systems they use for surface preparation, crack treatment, primers, base coats, and top coats. Higher-quality epoxy products generally provide superior adhesion and longevity.
- What Does Your Surface Preparation Process Involve?
Proper surface preparation is vital for ensuring successful, long-lasting epoxy floor coatings. Trusted contractors will thoroughly explain their step-by-step mechanical and chemical processes and techniques like shot blasting, scarifying, diamond grinding, or acid etching to profile the concrete.
The goal is to completely strip and roughen the slab so all contaminants and laitance are removed to provide texture. This allows the epoxy to achieve superior mechanical adhesion.
Reputable contractors will also address existing cracks, control joints, penetrations, and other defects through routing, filling, and sealing. Rushing the prep process risks poor adhesion. Quality contractors dedicate ample time to methodically profile, repair, and clean the concrete first. They understand this patience in surface prep determines the durability of the final product.
- How is the Epoxy Floor Coating Applied?
Ask how many coats will be applied and what the expected thickness is. Understand their precise application methods, such as using rollers, squeegees, or other tools. This tells you what to expect for final appearance and durability. Multi-coat, high-build systems provide longer service life.
- What is the Project Timeline Estimate?
Quality epoxy flooring projects take a few days from start to finish. Ask for a clear timeline estimating how long surface preparation, installation, and curing will take. Clarify if it’s in business or calendar days. Also, ask about potential delays from concrete moisture, weather issues, or other circumstances.
- Can You Show Us Your Previous Epoxy Flooring Projects?
Examine online galleries showcasing their finished floors. Read customer reviews and testimonials. If possible, ask to see previous work in person. This allows you to judge expected quality and appearance.
- Do You Offer Any Warranties?
Epoxy flooring products and professional installation should come with manufacturer and contractor warranties. Ask what they cover, what the required maintenance is, and what the claim procedures are. More extended warranties indicate contractors stand behind their craft.
- What Maintenance is Required?
Though durable, epoxy floors need cleaning and maintenance to maximize life. Reputable contractors provide the product manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines covering approved cleaners, inspection intervals, load limits, recoating timeframes, and care procedures specific to the installed system.
Following these instructions avoids premature wear, damage, or voided warranties. This includes periodic refreshers like reapplying protective top coats to maintain appearance and performance. Ensure you understand the proper methods and products for your floor coating project prior to completion.
Work With the Right Epoxy Flooring Company
Choosing the ideal epoxy flooring contractor for your project takes careful evaluation. Asking the right questions upfront and examining their previous work helps ensure you get the stylish, durable results you expect. Working with professionals can transform your space with a floor coating that lasts with proper maintenance. Get in touch with flooring experts for more information.
Lois Lane is a professional blogger and a seasoned Content writer for wellhousekeeping.com. With a passion for simplifying complex Home Decor topics, he provides valuable insights to a diverse online audience. With four years of experience, Lois has polished his skills as a professional blogger.
