Epoxy Contractor
The use of epoxy resin flooring has increased over the past decade. This type of flooring is straightforward to clean, more durable than many other finishes, and comes in various colors. To keep this finish lasting for as long as possible, it is important to properly prepare the surface before application, maintain the floor afterward, and hire a contractor that knows what they are doing.
Epoxy contractors install epoxy floors on surfaces including concrete, wood, metal sheeting, masonry pavers, and rubber mats. A multi-coat system can provide a decorative wear layer that will last much longer than traditional concrete or asphalt driveways and garage floors and requires less maintenance and regular cleaning. As with most floor installation techniques, both a DIY version and a more professional-grade system are available for purchase. When choosing between the two options, there are several factors to consider.
Important Factors to Consider
There are many factors that must be considered when choosing whether to hire a professional epoxy contractor or install the resin flooring yourself. These include cost, material suitability, time spent doing the project, level of difficulty, and education needed to complete the job.
Overall Cost
Cost is always an important factor in any major home improvement or renovation project. When planning to do the work on your own, it is necessary to purchase all materials and tools required for installation ahead of time before making up your mind about doing the work yourself versus hiring someone else. Professionals will most likely require payment during each phase of the project as they complete their part; this includes ordering specialty products like epoxy paint or specialized tools that may be needed at each step of the process (like a caulking gun or squeegee).
Timing
Time is another important factor to consider when thinking about DIY installation versus hiring professionals. The epoxy flooring system can typically be installed in one weekend by two people, but the curing process may take up to 30 days. During this time, it will not be possible to walk on the surface, and care will need to be taken to avoid damage, which could further prolong the curing process.
Availability
Of course, professionals often have many other jobs scheduled throughout the week, so there might also be a wait for their services, especially in peak seasons like summer or winter when they are busier than usual with other clients’ projects. It is necessary to carefully plan out when an epoxy contractor can fit your project into their schedule ahead of time to avoid such a lengthy delay in the installation.
Level of Difficulty
Epoxy flooring is fairly simple to install and maintain. Still, it requires some basic knowledge of construction and materials to choose the right tools and products for the application. DIY installation can be a rewarding experience that saves money. Still, there are safety concerns, such as working with epoxy paint or high-strength adhesive glues, which professionals should only use.
Education
Before beginning any home renovation project, it is always best to research your contractor’s level of education or training. Some epoxy installation contractors may have taken courses in high school or through professional trade associations such as the Epoxy Flooring Specialty Contractors Association.
Questions to Ask a Potential Epoxy Company
Choosing between hiring a professional and a DIY installation can be difficult, but it is important to consider all factors involved before making your decision. Now that you know what to look for when choosing between an epoxy conversion company and doing it yourself, here are some questions you should ask potential contractors:
- How long has the company been installing epoxy flooring?
- What type of experience do they have with applying multiple coats?
- Which products will be used for this project? (ask about warranty)
- Do they provide warranties on their workmanship?
- Do they have workers’ compensation insurance in the event of an accident?
- How much will it cost to apply one coat versus multiple coats?
- Is there a minimum number of gallons required for this project? (ask about special requirements or any limitations on what can be done)
Pros and Cons of Doing it Yourself
When choosing between hiring professionals and doing your own epoxy flooring installation, there are several factors to consider. The biggest advantage of DIY epoxy conversion is that it saves money. Good quality kits can range from $100-$200 per gallon, and some kits include as many as 10 gallons, making the total cost thousands less than professional installations. It is also possible to find higher-quality kits that cost more; this allows for the possibility to create an elaborate decorative design.
However, it’s important to weigh what is most important before thinking about doing your own DIY epoxy conversion. The time and labor saved by using an epoxy kit rather than hiring professionals should be considered. Other factors like inexperience, lack of safety equipment or training, and risks associated with incorrectly installing the surface are also important to consider.
A professional installation offers many advantages such as quality control and reliability that come from years of experience in the industry. They also know which products they need for each project and can recommend how many gallons are needed based on floor size and the number of coats required, which can save you money in the long run if you purchase too much or too little epoxy.
There are many pros and cons to consider when choosing between a professional or DIY floor epoxy application. Still, with careful planning, it is possible to have the best of both worlds by hiring an experienced contractor for your project while installing the flooring surface yourself.
By now, you should have enough information about finding an epoxy company or using a do-it-yourself kit to understand how epoxy floors are created and what factors determine their durability, appearance, cost, and ease of installation. With this knowledge, you can choose the option that is best for you based on your budget, timeframe, experience level, and personal preferences.
Final Thoughts
Before starting any renovation project, it is important to research your contractor’s education level. Be sure to ask potential contractors about their experience, what type of product they will be using for the job, and if they provide warranties on their workmanship or materials. It is also a good idea to ask how much it will cost in materials per gallon for each coat before purchasing tiles or kits to calculate the best material costs for your budget.
Several factors should be considered when deciding whether or not you want to hire professionals or buy epoxy installation kits yourself. This includes time/labor saved by DIYing, possible risks associated with doing it yourself, floor appearance, durability, ease of installation, total project cost including supplies purchased vs. installed, and overall convenience.
Having an epoxy floor installed doesn’t need to be difficult with this knowledge, so go out there and find the perfect epoxy contractor for your home!