How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your Epoxy Flooring Project
Epoxy flooring has become one of the most popular choices for both residential and commercial focused flooring projects. In this post, we’ll be discussing how to choose the right contractor for your epoxy flooring project and the various details one should go over with their contractor prior to hiring them for the job. The right level of expertise, attention to detail, and skill is required to see any epoxy flooring job through the right way. Below is a comprehensive guide on all of the ins and outs of epoxy flooring projects and how you should determine who to work with when you’re searching for the right contractor. Having a stunning end result with your epoxy flooring project will help ensure it’s able to be enjoyed for many years to come. Should you have any immediate questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be sure to respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Understand Your Project Needs
Before you even begin to start looking for the right epoxy flooring contractor, you’ll want to first determine the following project requirements
- Type of space: Everyone’s space is different. You’ll want to have a good understanding of where you’re going to have your epoxy floors placed prior to reaching out to various contractors. Whether it’s a garage, a basement, or a commercial space; determining the specific area where the epoxy flooring will be applied is a great first step in the process.
- Aesthetic goals: How do you want your epoxy flooring to look? Do you want a solid, matte finish? Do you want a high-gloss, white finish with added traction elements? Virtually anything can be done, you’ll just have to determine the right colors which work best for your specific space.
- Budget: Staying within your ideal budget is important for both yourself and the epoxy flooring contractor. You’ll also want to factor in the fact that you typically receive what you pay for. If someone is extremely affordable, you may want to ask yourself why that may be. On the contrary, you’ll also want to look into why someone else may be extremely expensive. Everyone has their own specific pricing based on their respective areas and customer demographics. If you’re located in a LCOL (low-cost-of-living) area, the prices will most likely be much more affordable than a HCOL (high-cost-of-living) area.
Once you have a vision for your project, it’s easier to communicate your expectations to potential contractors.
Research Potential Contractors
Every epoxy flooring contractor is not going to be the same.Take the time to do the right level of research by utilizing the following:
- Ask for recommendations: Simply asking for recommendations from friends, family, co-workers, etc… can be a great way to determine who’s had a good firsthand experience.
- Search online: Research your potential expert flooring contractor’s social media presence to see if they have an active portfolio of past projects and user engagement. If they’re quite active, that can be a great indicator they care about the customer service they provide.
- Check reviews: Google reviews can be a great place to look for customer experiences.
Verify Credentials and Experience
Always look for these attributes when hiring an epoxy flooring contractor:
- Licensing and insurance: You’ll always want to ensure your contractor has the proper licensing and insurance. If they’re operating with one or neither, you’ll want to avoid doing business with them. Proper licensing and insurance protects you and them from liability in the event of accidents or damages.
- Experience: You’ll want to ask if the epoxy flooring contractor has specific experience working with the project you’re interested in hiring them for. If they do, great! If they don’t, they still may be a great option, they simply may have not worked on a laundry room space yet. If they still have a wide array of past projects in other areas of a home (basements, garages, etc…), you should still consider them if they seem to be up for the job.
- Specialization: Some epoxy flooring contractors focus exclusively on commercial projects, while some focus exclusively on residential projects. Whichever area of expertise they specialize in when it comes to epoxy flooring, you’ll want to select the one who’s worked with what you’re requesting.
Request a Portfolio of Past Projects
A portfolio is one of the best ways to assess a contractor’s skills and craftsmanship. Being able to see the actual work completed is a fantastic way to determine how your epoxy flooring project may pan out:
- Before-and-after photos: Seeing the transformation of before-and-after photos can be a great way to visualize what your project may look like. If the potential epoxy flooring contractor has amazing before and after photos where they’ve been able to transform outdated, rundown looking spaces to amazing spaces where everyone would want to hang out; you know you have the right contractor for the job.
- Diverse projects: Look for an epoxy flooring contractor who has had experience in multiple different areas of epoxy flooring projects. This versatility may allow for a better end product result, as they’ve likely worked with many different spaces and surfaces compared to someone who only does basements, for example.
- Client testimonials: Seeing positive feedback from previous clients can help you make a confident decision in hiring the specific epoxy flooring contractor you’re vetting
Ask About the Materials and Techniques Used
You’ll always want to verify the types, styles, and quality of materials involved with your epoxy flooring project. An epoxy flooring contractor who values their customer base will use the best materials possible to ensure their clients are going to have a long-lasting, quality-focused end product:
- Epoxy products: The epoxy products used should be high-quality and professional-grade. The types of epoxy products will stand the test of time and provide the best experience for customers.
- Preparation process: The right level of surface preparation is crucial for the success of an epoxy flooring surface. You should inquire as to which methods the contractor utilizes when cleaning, repairing, and priming the surface.
- Application techniques: You’ll want a contractor who takes their time with the epoxy flooring process. This will help ensure the end result has an even finish without any bubbles or imperfections.
Obtain Detailed Estimates
You’ll want to shortlist your selection to a few contractors who have the qualities you’re looking for. Once you’ve completed this, you should go over the following:
- Material costs: Ensure the quote specifies the material costs and a line item breakdown of everything involved with the production of your epoxy floor.
- Labor costs: Labor costs will typically involve surface preparation, application, and finishing.
- Timeline: You’ll want to have a specified timeline for the project itself. Things happen of course (weather, labor shortage, delay on materials, etc…), but there should be a general timeline agreed upon.
- Warranty: You’ll want to ask about the warranties for both materials and workmanship when you’re choosing your epoxy flooring contractor.
You’ll want to be wary of epoxy flooring contractors who have extremely low pricing and don’t provide the above information. You don’t want an epoxy flooring contractor who will cut corners and leave you with a less than desirable final product.
Evaluate Communication and Professionalism
Effective communication and professionalism are key indicators of a reliable contractor. During your interactions, pay attention to: You’ll want to note the following indicators of professionalism and communication:
- Responsiveness: Are they responsive and prompt when responding? Do they provide clear answers to any questions or concerns?
- Transparency: Are they upfront about costs, possible challenges with the project, and project timelines?
- Punctuality: Are they on time for in-person meetings and site visits?
An epoxy flooring contractor who demonstrates true professionalism and a customer-focused approach will likely be a much better experience than a contractor who ignores your messages or calls right from the beginning of the relationship.
Understand the Agreement Before Signing
Before committing to an epoxy flooring contractor, carefully review the contract to ensure it includes:
- Scope of work: A fully detailed description of the services which will be provided.
- Payment terms: Payment schedules, deposits, and final payments should be reviewed before signing the agreement.
- Termination terms: Conditions under which the agreement can be canceled.
If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification before signing.
Look for Red Flags
While most epoxy flooring contractors are reputable professionals, there are some signs and red flags to look out for:
- High-pressure sales tactics: You’ll want to be wary of epoxy flooring contractors who attempt to rush you into making an immediate decision or demand large upfront payments.
- Lack of transparency: You’ll want to avoid contractors who are vague about how they complete epoxy flooring applications, the materials used, or the overall costs.
- Negative reviews or complaints: You’ll want to avoid epoxy flooring companies who have a string of bad reviews or unresolved complaints, as this may indicate an overall unreliable service.
Trust Your Instincts
The bottom line is, you should always trust your gut. If something seems off or strange, it probably is. It may be better to explore other options if something doesn’t sit right with you. The right epoxy flooring contractor will make you feel comfortable and confident with your decision through customer-service focused actions.
Choose Epoxy Floor Experts for Your Next Epoxy Flooring Project!
Selecting the right epoxy flooring contractor can be difficult in a crowded market. Here at Epoxy Floor Experts, we take pride in offering the best customer service and highest quality workmanship, paired with some of the best epoxy materials around. Feel free to contact us if you’d like to have an epoxy floor installed in your home or business and we’ll be sure to respond to your message as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
