How to Hire an Epoxy Floor Contractor
Resinous floor coatings are only as good as the people who install them. Two quotes for "epoxy floor" can describe very different jobs. This checklist helps you compare contractors fairly and avoid surprises.
Check the basics
- Licensing: requirements vary by state and city. Check with your state's licensing board whether a license is required for the work and verify it.
- Insurance: ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, and confirm it is current.
- Experience with your kind of space: a contractor who mainly coats home garages may not be set up for a warehouse with forklifts, and vice versa.
- References and photos: ask for recent projects similar to yours and, if possible, ones that are a few years old so you can see how they held up.
- Manufacturer relationships: some coating manufacturers train or certify installers for their systems; this can affect warranty coverage.
Get a detailed written quote
A good quote should spell out:
- The exact products, by manufacturer and product name, for each layer.
- Surface preparation method (grinding or shot blasting) and the target profile.
- Moisture testing method and what happens if readings are high.
- Crack, spall and joint treatment.
- Coating thickness for each layer (often in mils).
- Cove base or wall transitions, if needed.
- Number of days, working hours, and what areas will be closed.
- Return-to-service times for foot traffic, equipment and full cure.
- Warranty: what it covers, for how long, and what voids it.
- Payment schedule.
When quotes differ a lot in price, compare these details line by line. The cheapest quote often skips moisture testing or uses thinner coats.
Questions worth asking
- How do you control dust during grinding?
- How will you ventilate during application and cure? (See our safety and ventilation guide.)
- What happens if the slab has more moisture than expected?
- Who will be on site, and who is the point of contact?
- What maintenance do you recommend, and do you offer recoat service?
Red flags
- Pressure to sign immediately or pay a large deposit in cash.
- No written quote, or a vague one that does not name products.
- No mention of surface preparation or moisture.
- Claims that the floor "will never need maintenance".
- Unwillingness to provide data sheets or proof of insurance.
Planning your side
Clear the space, plan where inventory and equipment will go, tell staff and neighbors about the schedule, and confirm utilities such as power and water access the crew needs. Agree on who handles HVAC changes. Walk the finished floor with the contractor before final payment and note any issues in writing.
About our waitlist
nontoxicepoxy.com is building a way to connect US businesses with floor coating contractors who offer lower-VOC systems. You can join the waitlist on our home page. We do not currently install floors ourselves.
The short version
Verify licensing and insurance, insist on a detailed written quote that names products, prep and thickness, compare quotes line by line, and watch for pressure tactics. A clear contract up front prevents most disputes later.