How to Choose an Epoxy Flooring Pro (10 Questions That Filter Out the Bad Ones)

Finding an epoxy flooring pro is easy. Finding a good one takes about twenty minutes of asking the right questions. Here's what separates the pros from the people who will give you a beautiful floor for six months and then ghost your phone calls.

Before you call anyone

Check their Google reviews — not just the star rating, but the actual text. A 4.8 with 200 reviews means something. A 4.8 with 6 reviews means three of them are probably cousins. Look for reviews that mention the floor holding up after a year or two, not just "looks amazing!" right after install.

Ask your neighbors. Epoxy floor installs are common enough in most suburbs that someone on your street has had it done. A word-of-mouth referral from someone who can walk you out to their garage is worth more than any review site.

The 10 questions

1. How do you prep the concrete?

The correct answer involves diamond grinding or shot blasting. If they say acid etching only, that's not wrong for certain applications, but for a floor you expect to last a decade, you want mechanical prep. If they look confused by the question, end the call.

2. What's the total number of coats, and what's in each one?

You want at least: primer/base coat, a color/body coat (usually where flake or pigment goes), and a clear topcoat. Three coats minimum for a quality installation. Some premium systems add a second clear. Ask what each coat is — brand name and product, not just "epoxy."

3. What's the total mil thickness?

Mils = thousandths of an inch. A quality residential system is typically 20–30 mils total. Thin systems (under 15 mils) wear faster. If they can't tell you the mil thickness, they're guessing.

4. What brand system are you installing?

Reputable brands include Penntek, Rust-Oleum, ArmorPoxy, and a handful of commercial-grade suppliers. Generic materials aren't automatically bad, but a pro who installs a named brand system has accountability — if the product fails, there's a manufacturer behind it.

5. How long until I can drive on it?

The answer varies by system — epoxy-based floors typically need 72 hours before vehicle traffic. Polyaspartic can be as fast as 24 hours. Any answer significantly shorter than this without a clear explanation of why should raise an eyebrow.

6. Do you do crack or spall repair before coating?

Any cracks, divots, or damaged concrete should be repaired before coating. If a pro plans to coat over existing cracks without addressing them, that's a problem — cracks telegraph through coatings over time.

7. What does the warranty cover?

Get the warranty in writing. What's the duration? What does it cover — peeling, bubbling, discoloration? What voids it (vehicle fluids, deicing salts, etc.)? A pro who offers no warranty isn't confident in their work. A warranty that covers nothing useful is just marketing.

8. Do you have liability insurance and workers' comp?

Yes, you have to ask. A pro working in your garage who gets injured and isn't insured is your problem. Ask to see the certificate of insurance. Any legitimate operation will have it.

9. Can I see recent local projects or talk to past customers?

A pro with a real track record has real references. Photos are nice but easy to cherry-pick from anywhere. A phone number for a past customer is better. If they can't provide either, that's notable.

10. What happens if there's a problem?

Ask directly: if something goes wrong in the first year — peeling, bubbling, color issues — what's the process? A straight answer that includes coming back to fix it at no charge is what you want. Vague answers, deflection, or "that won't happen" are not comforting.

Red flags to watch for

• Quote given over the phone without seeing the floor
• No written contract or invoice
• Requires full payment upfront
• Significantly cheaper than every other quote you got (the floor will tell you why)
• Can't name the product they're installing

Green flags

• Asks to see the floor before quoting
• Talks through the prep process without being prompted
• Has reviews that mention the floor still looking good after 1–2+ years
• Offers a written warranty
• Doesn't pressure you to sign the same day

The best pros have more work than they can handle. They're not in a rush to close you. Take the time to find one worth hiring.