10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Epoxy Flooring Company

Hiring the right epoxy flooring contractor can mean the difference between a garage floor that lasts 15 years and one that peels within months. The Bay Area has dozens of companies offering epoxy services, and quality varies enormously. These 10 questions will help you separate the professionals from the amateurs before you commit a single dollar.

1. How Do You Prepare the Concrete Surface?

Why it matters: Surface preparation determines whether the epoxy bonds permanently to the concrete or fails within months. This is the single most important question you can ask.

The answer you want: "We diamond-grind the concrete to create a proper surface profile. This removes existing coatings, opens the pores of the concrete, and creates a mechanical bond that the epoxy adheres to permanently."

Red flag answers:

• "We acid etch the surface" — acid etching is inadequate for professional results and leaves chemical residue
• "Our product bonds to any surface without prep" — no epoxy product truly does this
• "We pressure wash and then apply" — cleaning is not the same as profiling

Diamond grinding with commercial equipment is the industry standard for professional installations. At Brooks & Company Epoxy, it's a non-negotiable step on every single project.

2. Do You Test for Moisture Before Installation?

Why it matters: Excessive moisture vapor transmission through the concrete slab is the number one cause of epoxy failure. If moisture is trapped beneath the coating, it will push the epoxy off the slab.

The answer you want: "Yes, we test for moisture on every project before applying anything. We use calcium chloride testing, relative humidity probes, or both."

Red flag answers:

• "The epoxy will seal the moisture in" — this is exactly how failures happen
• "We've never had a moisture problem" — either they don't check or they haven't been doing this long
• "No, we just look at the surface" — visual inspection doesn't detect subsurface moisture

3. What Brand and Grade of Epoxy Do You Use?

Why it matters: The quality gap between professional-grade and consumer-grade epoxy is enormous. Professional materials cost more but deliver years of superior performance.

The answer you want: The contractor should name a specific commercial brand and product line. They should be able to explain why they chose it and what properties it offers (UV stability, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance).

Red flag answers:

• "It's our proprietary blend" without any details — legitimate custom formulations exist, but transparency is expected
• "We use what we get from the hardware store" — consumer products belong in consumer applications, not professional installations
• They can't name their materials — this suggests they don't understand or care about product quality

4. How Many Coats Do You Apply?

Why it matters: Professional epoxy flooring systems include multiple layers, each serving a specific purpose.

The answer you want: "We apply a minimum of a primer/base coat and a topcoat, often with an intermediate coat depending on the system. Each layer is applied at the proper thickness and allowed to cure appropriately before the next."

For a typical garage floor, expect:

• Primer/bond coat
• Color coat (epoxy or with flake/quartz broadcast)
• Topcoat (clear protective finish)

Red flag answers:

• "One coat is all you need" — a single-coat application is thin, vulnerable, and likely to fail
• "We do two coats in one day" — each coat needs cure time; rushing leads to problems

5. What Is Your Project Timeline?

Why it matters: Proper epoxy installation takes time. Rushing leads to failures.

The answer you want: For a typical two-car garage: "Day one for surface prep and primer. Day two for the base coat and flake/finish. Then 24-72 hours of cure time before foot traffic, and up to 7 days before parking vehicles."

Red flag answers:

• "We'll be done in a few hours" — this almost certainly means inadequate preparation
• No clear timeline — a professional has done this enough times to give you a reliable schedule

Understanding timeline expectations helps you plan. Learn more about how weather affects scheduling in the Bay Area.

6. Can I See Examples of Your Previous Work?

Why it matters: A portfolio of completed projects demonstrates experience, consistency, and the quality you can expect.

The answer you want: Real photos of completed projects, ideally in the Bay Area. Even better: addresses of past projects you can drive by, or references you can contact.

Red flag answers:

• Only stock photos or manufacturer images
• "We're just getting started" — you don't want to be someone's first project
• Defensive reaction to the question

7. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Why it matters: Licensing ensures the contractor meets minimum competency standards. Insurance protects you from liability if something goes wrong on your property.

The answer you want: "Yes, we carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. We hold a California contractor's license. Here's our license number — you can verify it online."

What to verify:

• California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — look up their license number
• Ask for a certificate of insurance showing current coverage
• Verify the insurance is active, not expired

Red flag answers:

• "We're not required to have a license for this" — in California, projects over $500 require licensing
• "Insurance just makes things more expensive" — it protects you
• Refusal to provide documentation

8. What Is Your Warranty?

Why it matters: A warranty demonstrates the contractor's confidence in their work and gives you recourse if something goes wrong.

The answer you want: A written warranty that clearly states:

• What's covered (materials, workmanship, or both)
• Duration of coverage
• What constitutes a warranty claim
• How claims are handled

Red flag answers:

• "We guarantee our work" without anything in writing — verbal guarantees are unenforceable
• "The epoxy manufacturer has a warranty" — that covers the product, not the installation
• No warranty at all — this tells you everything about their confidence in their work

9. What Is Your Payment Schedule?

Why it matters: Payment structure reveals a lot about a contractor's professionalism and financial stability.

The answer you want: "We require a deposit (typically 50%) to schedule your project, with the balance due upon satisfactory completion."

This is industry standard and protects both parties. The deposit secures your spot on the schedule and covers material costs. The balance ensures you're satisfied before the contractor is fully paid.

At Brooks & Company Epoxy, our structure is straightforward:

• One-car garage: $2,800 — $1,400 deposit (50%)
• Two-car garage: $4,000 — $2,000 deposit (50%)
• Metallic flooring: $10/sqft — 50% deposit
• Countertop epoxy: $1,000-$2,500 — $500 flat deposit

Red flag answers:

• Full payment required upfront before any work begins
• Cash only, no receipts — suggests operating off the books
• "Pay me at the end, no deposit needed" — while seemingly generous, this can indicate a fly-by-night operation

10. How Should I Maintain the Floor After Installation?

Why it matters: This question tests whether the contractor genuinely understands their product and cares about your long-term satisfaction.

The answer you want: Clear, practical maintenance instructions including:

• How long to wait before foot traffic and vehicle traffic
• What cleaners to use and avoid
• How to handle stains and spills
• Long-term care expectations

A knowledgeable contractor will give you this information willingly and may provide a written care sheet. For a preview of proper maintenance practices, read our complete epoxy floor care guide.

Red flag answers:

• "It's bulletproof, you don't need to do anything" — every surface requires some care
• Vague, unhelpful responses — suggests they don't know or don't care about results past installation day
• They've never been asked this question — indicates inexperienced clientele and an inexperienced contractor

Bonus: How They Handle These Questions Matters

Beyond the specific answers, pay attention to how a contractor responds to your questions:

• Confident and detailed responses suggest deep knowledge and experience
• Patience with your questions indicates they value educated customers
• Willingness to show documentation demonstrates professionalism
• Defensive or dismissive reactions are a major warning sign

The best contractors welcome these questions because they know their answers set them apart from the competition.

Ready to Interview Your Contractor?

Print this list, bring it to your consultations, and compare answers. The differences between contractors will become obvious quickly.

At Brooks & Company Epoxy, we welcome every one of these questions and answer them in detail during every consultation. We serve Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Fremont, Walnut Creek, and the entire Bay Area.

Want to learn more before you start calling contractors? Read our detailed guide on what to look for in an epoxy flooring contractor and our honest pros and cons of epoxy flooring.

Get a free estimate from a contractor who's happy to answer your questions.