"Franchise" epoxy installers

[Sevillian]

As I mull over flooring options, going back and forth between tile and epoxy, I wanted to get bids on epoxy/polyurea installs. The places near me all appear to be franchised or perhaps regional "chain" garage storage/remodel outfits - Garage Solutions, which appears to be associated with Premier Cabinetry, a local Monkey Bars dealer, and a GarageExperts franchisee. Obviously the job is only as good as the installer, but I'm wondering if any of you have opinions on the relative quality of their epoxy products. I'm not interested in the "storage systems" that seem to be the focus of these places, and I'd rather avoid one that just provides epoxy flooring as a sideline.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Sev: Ask for the mfg and specs on the product.
Many of the "garage companies" are subbing to an installer which is not a bad thing, our install company installed for many garage-makeover companies in Orlando.

Angies List is pretty good, take a look.

 

[Garage Flooring]

As I mull over flooring options, going back and forth between tile and epoxy, I wanted to get bids on epoxy/polyurea installs. The places near me all appear to be franchised or perhaps regional "chain" garage storage/remodel outfits - Garage Solutions, which appears to be associated with Premier Cabinetry, a local Monkey Bars dealer, and a GarageExperts franchisee. Obviously the job is only as good as the installer, but I'm wondering if any of you have opinions on the relative quality of their epoxy products. I'm not interested in the "storage systems" that seem to be the focus of these places, and I'd rather avoid one that just provides epoxy flooring as a sideline.

The advantage, in theory, is that you are working with an installer that is or should be an expert in the product they are installing. You will definitely want to confirm that by getting some references that are a couple years old and checking the specs as Scotty said.

The disadvantage is you are dealing with a product that is being marked up multiple times and may be more expensive simply because of the distribution method. Get some apples to apples comparisons, consider the value of your time and make an educated decision.

 

[Shea]

This article may help as well with your decision making.
https://allgaragefloors.com/choosing-floor-coating-contractor/

 

[Sevillian]

Thanks for the tips. A couple of the places I am talking to I did get from Angie's List. One of the outfits, GarageExperts, claims to make their own epoxy product, including a "wicking" epoxy primer that soaks into the concrete, and an aspartic top coat. So hopefully not too many levels of markup. There is also a local concrete floor coating company that uses a polyurea system from Penntek, although I need to confirm that they do residential work.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Best to check reputations and reviews online. A crappy installer using the finest, most expensive products will give poor results. The secret is in the prep and installation, not as much with the materials often.

 

[dcg9381]

Polyurea is really really easy to install (at least on new floors). Epoxy is a lot more work and harder to get right IMHO.... I rolled Polyurea on to a new floor that had no other finish other than dry time and power washing and I've had absolutely zero problems.