Hiring a Garage Floor Coating Company? 10 Questions to Ask First

Ever tried to hire a contractor who never calls you back? It’s one of the most common frustrations people tell us about. Hiring someone to work on your home shouldn’t feel like a gamble, and with the right questions, it doesn’t have to.

I ran car dealerships for more than ten years. I know the difference between a straight answer and a sales answer. Here are the ten questions I’d ask if I were hiring someone to coat my garage.

1. What exactly is going on my floor?

Get the product name and type in writing. Epoxy, polyurea, polyaspartic, and roll-on sealers are very different products. If someone won’t tell you what it is, that tells you something.

2. How will you prep the concrete?

The right answer involves diamond grinding. Acid etching or a pressure wash doesn’t open the concrete enough for a coating to bond, and that’s how floors end up peeling.

3. How do you handle cracks?

Every Lowcountry slab has some. Ask how they’ll be filled and whether they’ll be ground flush. Ask what happens if a crack is still moving.

4. Do you check for moisture?

Humidity and moisture coming up through the slab are real issues here. On slabs where it’s a question, a good installer tests using standard methods like ASTM F2170 or F1869, and tells you about a problem before coating, not after.

5. Who will actually be at my house?

Some companies sell the job and send whoever’s available. Ask who will do the work and who you call if there’s a problem.

6. How long will it take?

With polyaspartic, most residential garages are done in one day: walk on it in about 5 hours, drive on it in about 48 hours. Epoxy systems typically take longer.

7. What does the warranty cover, in writing?

Ask for the terms, the length, and what’s excluded. A warranty you can’t read isn’t worth much.

8. Are you insured?

Ask for proof. A legitimate company won’t mind.

9. Can I see real projects and talk to real customers?

Photos of actual jobs, not stock images, and reviews from real homeowners. If a contractor can’t show you their work, you’re gambling.

10. Is the price all-in?

Make sure the quote includes prep, crack repair, every coat, and cleanup. Rock-bottom bids usually mean something got cut.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Pressure to sign today
• A vague answer about the product or prep
• No written warranty
• A price that’s far below everyone else’s
• Nobody answers the phone after the estimate

How We Answer

For the record: we install 100% high-solids polyaspartic from Floor Shield, made in the USA. We diamond-grind and repair every floor. We’re certified and insured, our floors carry a 15-year warranty in writing, and you’ll get an all-in price with no pressure. And Lindsay and I answer our own phones, day or night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get?

Two or three is reasonable. Compare what’s included, not just the bottom line.

Is the cheapest quote ever the right one?

Sometimes, but check that it includes the same prep, product, and warranty. Usually the difference is in what got left out.

Should I go with a national chain or a local company?

Either can do good work. Ask the same ten questions, and pay attention to who answers the phone.

Want to put us to the test? Call or text 843-288-9417, or read six mistakes to avoid when choosing a garage floor coating.