How To Estimate Your Epoxy Floor Cost Before A Contractor Quote

There are four main variables to consider to calculate a preliminary epoxy floor cost before talking with a contractor. By evaluating the variables, you will be better prepared for your contractor’s questions and understand your cost range.

1. Calculate your floor area
2. Choose the type of epoxy floor (solid color, flake, metallic)
3. Include floor location and ease of access (basement, garage, etc.)
4. Determine the current condition of your concrete floor

Calculate the Size of Your Floor Area

The first variable to address for an epoxy floor cost is calculating your floor area size. Calculating floor area size is a simple task, and it quickly starts the process. Often, property owners will want to have a contractor measure their space which isn’t necessary. Please measure the length of the floor space, and multiply it times the width of the floor space to get the square footage. Floor size is the first factor to help determine your cost. Usually, contractors use ranges of square footage to help them quote. For example, less than 400 sq. ft, 400-1,000 sq. ft., 1,000-2,000 sq. ft., and over 2,000 sq. ft. An average range of cost per square foot will fall between $5-$10. Knowing the other variables mentioned above will help clarify your cost per square foot installation cost.

Choose the Type of Epoxy Floor

There are three general types of residential epoxy floors. A solid color epoxy floor displays one color throughout. A solid color epoxy floor is a less labor-intensive installation and will lower the cost per square foot. A citrus orange or crimson floor can make a statement (and often reflect a customer’s allegiance to their college alma mater) while having the same attractiveness and durability as an epoxy floor.

An epoxy flake floor is a decorative, double-casted aggregate vinyl chip floor design with non-yellowing properties. Vinyl chip colors and blends are customized to match your design intent while a light, stable epoxy layer seals and protects the basecoat and chip from UV degradation. An epoxy flake floor withstands continuous traffic like a solid color epoxy floor and installed most often to be anti-slip and resist chemicals, oil stains, and water. There is more manual labor and technique that creates the flake floor design, which increases the cost of installation per square foot.

A metallic epoxy floor is the most labor-intensive type of epoxy floor and requires a high level of technical experience to achieve the right aesthetic look. Metallic epoxy floors are hand-crafted and use high-quality pearlescent, light-reflective aggregate blends. Aggregate powder blends consist of nanoparticles that have been coated with organic or inorganic pigments to produce an iridescent appearance. Due to a metallic epoxy floor’s complexity, this type of installation demands experienced flooring experts who know how to prepare the surface properly and apply the custom, artistic finish for an even look. A metallic epoxy floor is the most time-consuming due to its hand-crafted result and the most expensive per square foot.

Include Floor Location and Ease of Access

A professional epoxy floor installation can require heavy equipment and reaching a more challenging space can require more labor and expense. Easy access to a floor area is ideal, but often this isn’t possible in older properties. Usually, a basement epoxy floor in an older property will increase your cost slightly. Older houses tend to have longer and narrower staircases that lead to a basement, requiring extra labor (and cost) to carry the equipment and materials to avoid accidental damage and complete the project on time. On the other hand, access to a garage floor, accessing a basement floor through a walk-in entrance, or convenient access to a foyer offers minimal transport of equipment and materials and avoids extra labor costs. 

Determine the Current Condition of Your Concrete Floor

If the current surface condition of your concrete floor requires more preparation time, expect your cost per square foot to be higher. If your concrete surface seems to have cracks and damage everywhere, it is in poor condition and will require the most prep work. If your concrete surface has some minor cracks here and there, then your floor is considered to be in good condition and requires less prep work. If your concrete surface has very few cracks, if any, it is in great condition and will require the minimum amount of preparation before installation. 

Before applying an epoxy floor coating, professional flooring specialists should assess the current surface thoroughly. For example, if the concrete is old, they should test the surface for previous epoxy layers or other products applied over the years, patch and repair all cracks and chips, and remove all grease. Therefore, if the concrete surface is in poor condition, installers will need more time to fix all damage to ensure proper installation of an epoxy floor that will last a lifetime. An epoxy flooring installation requires precision and patience, and flooring experts will make sure the temperature, humidity, and application are ideal for excellent flooring. More labor time needed to fix a concrete floor increases your cost per square foot. 

Four Easy Steps to be Prepared for Your Flooring Project

By addressing these four areas of your flooring project, you will have a good preliminary estimate of your new epoxy floor cost, and be better prepared to discuss your epoxy floor project with prospective installers. 

If you have questions or concerns or would like a free quote (to compare with your own estimate), contact us now.