What to Ask Before You Say Yes

Most homeowners don't make bad decisions because they choose the wrong contractor.

They make them because they don't know what to ask. This checklist is built from real homeowner experiences - the things people wish they had clarified before the job started.

Surface preparation

Prep (This is where most problems start)

Ask this first. Everything else depends on it.

  • ☐How are you preparing the concrete? (Grinding vs acid wash)
  • ☐Will you repair cracks before coating?
  • ☐Do you test for moisture in the slab?
  • ☐What happens if moisture is present?

If the answer is vague here, that's a problem. Prep is what determines whether the floor lasts.

See how prep affects pricing →

Coating system

The System (What exactly are they installing?)

"Epoxy" isn't specific enough.

  • ☐What system are you using? (Epoxy, polyaspartic, or hybrid)
  • ☐Why is that the right choice for my garage?
  • ☐How many layers are included?
  • ☐What is the total thickness of the system?

Two floors can look identical on day one and perform completely differently over time.

Compare epoxy vs polyaspartic in detail →

Slab condition

Your Garage (Not all slabs are the same)

Make sure they're evaluating your space - not just selling a standard package.

  • ☐Have you looked at my slab condition?
  • ☐Are there cracks, stains, or previous coatings that need attention?
  • ☐Does my location (coastal vs inland San Diego) affect anything?

The condition of your concrete matters more than the coating itself.

Install timeline

Timeline (Speed vs quality)

Fast isn't always better.

  • ☐How long will the job actually take?
  • ☐Are you rushing prep to fit a one-day install?
  • ☐What's the cure time before I can use the garage?

"1-day install" is convenient - but make sure you understand what's being traded for speed.

Protection & coverage

Warranty (Read the fine print)

This is where expectations often break.

  • ☐What does the warranty actually cover?
  • ☐What is NOT covered?
  • ☐Are moisture or prep-related issues excluded?
  • ☐What happens if the floor starts peeling?

"Lifetime warranty" often has more exclusions than people expect.

See real warranty regrets from homeowners →

Pricing transparency

The Quote (What you're actually paying for)

Don't compare quotes based on price alone.

  • ☐Does the quote clearly explain prep work?
  • ☐Does it specify the exact system being used?
  • ☐Are layers and materials broken out?
  • ☐Is anything vague or missing?

If two quotes are far apart in price, the difference is usually prep - not materials.

Watch out

Quick Red Flags

If you hear any of these, slow down:

  • ☐"We don't need to grind your floor"
  • ☐"This price is only good today"
  • ☐"We can start tomorrow"
  • ☐"It's all basically the same"

These show up again and again in homeowner regrets.

Before You Decide

You don't need to become an expert. You just need to understand enough to:

  • -Ask better questions
  • -Spot vague answers
  • -Compare quotes properly
Read the full guide on what to know before hiring →Still deciding? Compare all garage flooring types →

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