Home Depot Professional Installation Feedback

[Mr. Hot Rod]

Howdy,

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a Home Depot professional epoxy garage floor installation. I have been reading a lot of the posts and there are several options that I have considered (do it yourself, polyaspartics, etc.). Right now, I can afford the professional install costs more than I can afford my time to perform the install myself.

Before I proceed, I wanted to post a couple of questions for those who used Home Depot subcontractors for the installation.

1.) Is $4.50 per square foot for the three-layer (primer, basecoat, clearcoat) the going rate?
2.) How does the floor hold up to parking and maintenance (floor jacks) use?
3.) What lessons/advice would you pass on to someone considering Home Depot for a professional installation?
4.) How did Home Depot handle any home-owner reporting warranty issues?

For some background information, the garage is ~650 square feet, tandem ("L"-shaped), new concrete, and directly underneath my master bedroom.

Thank you,

Dennis

 

[Matt M PA]

Dennis...I too saw this display at HD. (I wondered how much it was)

My concern was the 3 year warranty (if memory serves) on the top of the line job. $3000 for a floor with that short of a warranty (maybe that's the standard..I don;t know) seemed to be a bit much to me.

 

[jaybug56]

Before I proceed, I wanted to post a couple of questions for those who used Home Depot subcontractors for the installation.

1.) Is $4.50 per square foot for the three-layer (primer, basecoat, clearcoat) the going rate?

$4.50 per square foot ???
WOW...... thats the same price they quoted me to install a ceramic tile floor

 

[sc3013]

I am not sure about this floor treatment BUT I do have first hand experance with having a problem with HD. They will fight you tooth and nail, it took a lawyer and over two years to settle a problem with them. It was on a floor installed by one of there sub contractors. I am not a fan of HD. leroy

 

['the epoxy floor guy']

What part of the country are you in???

Many areas you can hire a TRUE professional with a TRULY Professional Product for the same price.

HD "subs" this install out to painters. Many do not have the correct equipment to do it properly.

I have connections in many parts of the country that could get you a 15+ year warranty for the same price. ONE day install and MORE.

Let me know I may be able to help.

 

[Mr. Hot Rod]

Gents,

Thanks for the responses.

RE: Matt M, PA - Yeah, its pricey. Otherwise, I would have pulled the trigger weeks ago.

RE: jaybug56 - Ceramic tile in my garage? Not a chance. The epoxy floor is a large step for me. I am used to grungy shop floors and bare concrete. Thanks for the perspective, though.

RE: sc3013 - I appreciate the caution and feedback. My three rules to avoid surprises: Read the contract, read the contract, read the contract. Everything else doesn't matter in court. I will prepare and hope it never comes to that.

RE: the epoxy floor guy - Nice username. It gets to the point quickly. I'm south of Houston, Texas. The guys I am dealing with have been installing epoxy floors for Home Depot for 6+ years with references. If you have any contacts in this part of the country, I would be interested in talking to them.

Keep it coming,

Dennis

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Skip Home depot they are just going to tell you to call the sub if anything goes wrong any way.

My Boss contracted a Hot water heater through them. 2 Days later it starts dripping at the pressure relief valve. He calls homedepot they tell him to call the plumber that installed it. He said I paid you not the plumber. They said oh well call the plumber anyway.

You can get a better deal by cutting out the middle man here.

Glen
________
uhwh

 

[Uncle Buck]

I used to work for Home Despots, I always pitied the poor folks that bought the sub contracted services from them. What a nightmare, beyond description! Feet, do your duty! Run Forrest Run!

 

[CFA]

As a HD floor coatings installer, I am amazed at how much disinformation exists in this thread.
Firstly, we are not "painters". Some of the installers in some markets may also be painters also, which means that they are a big enough company to do a variety of things.

Secondly, all of us are "professional" and have years of floor coatings experience, have required equipment, and probably do a better job than some of the posters here.
Also,

3. HD product is made by Rustoleum, a world leader in chemicals. It is also a professional grade product that is not sold to the general public. Typically, the material almost never fails. The product usually fails due to installation problems. And typically, that would show up in a year or so. The lifetime/ 15 year warranty is in that sense not really that important.

4. All warranty calls are taken by HD and they pass it on to the installer. Usually, HD tends to favor their customer on most issues, unless it is obviously not the installer's fault.

5. It is not easy to be a At home services provided for HD for floor coatings. We have to meet many requirements such as insurance, background checks, experience, equipment etc, that gives a customer such as yourself, peace of mind. In fact, till recently, Rustoleum themselves were the manufacturer and installer for HD in many markets.

6. For your application, it is more important to do a epoxy vs non epoxy coating comparison than a HD vs non HD installer comparison.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Tech Guy]

Careful what you buy from the big box stores such as HD. They go to the manufacturers and have them make a special cheaped out product just for them which in most cases is why it is not available to the general public as CFA posted above.

 

[john2499]

What part of the country are you in???

Many areas you can hire a TRUE professional with a TRULY Professional Product for the same price.

HD "subs" this install out to painters.

This is misleading. A lot of subs are nothing more than union installers who are doing "side jobs" under a fictitious company name. Flooring installers do not have their "own" union. The Mississippi River being the dividing point, east of it we are in the Carpenters Union and west of it we are in the Painters Union. This could be why they are confused for painters. I know the HD in Illinois does not have painters installing flooring unless that person knows what he is doing, and has not had a lot of warranty calls. Painters I know are doing painting "side jobs", not flooring.

John

 

[awakeinAZ]

I had mine done by HD after picking up the flyer. I got several independent quotes as well. Even though the price was a bit higher I went with them and the sub was Rustoleum.
Guys came from Phx (120 miles one way) two times. Once for the estimate and once for the install. Other then the smell lasting 2 months longer then I was quoted I have had no issues in over one year. They did diamond grind for prep. Warranty is 3 years in writing but, stated I could plan on 10 as they were using it in several commercial buildings. I am mostly using it for parking light maint. however. No welding. 100% solid epoxy w/ clear coat. Painted the stem wall, etc. Can send pics if U want them.

Back in the good ole days (mid of 07) they were doing 3-4 large jobs a week.

 

[menz300]

HHHHmmmmmmmm....... why was there such an odor with 100 percent solids? I am thinking solvent based and not 100 percent solids with those kind of fumes. Great to hear the product is holding up and you are satisfied with the final result and the general and sub contractors.

 

[awakeinAZ]

You're right, I may be confused and it was 100% SOLVENT. I know I could have chosen water based but, was not sure of the longevity.

 

[kcconman]

OK, to set the record straight. HD installers are no longer painters. A company called New Image used to handle all of the markets that Rusto wasn't taking care of. The Rusto guys are only in the larger markets and not even in all of them.

Anyway, New Image is a painting contractor so that's why some would think that all of the HD guys doing garage floor installs are painters. New Image got canned by HD and now all of those markets are being serviced by Stone To Foam dealers. www.stonetofoam.com

I am a Stone To Foam dealer but I'm NOT doing the HD program. My main reason is that I don't want to give HD 20% of my profit to put in their floor and put up with all of their regulations. Rustoleum makes great products and the professinal line being installed by Stone To Foam is as good as it gets. But Rustoleum isn't the only company that manufactures this quality of product. The guys doing the installs for HD are putting in a great product and doing it correctly. It will last way beyond the 3 year warranty period. The reason the price is high is because HD and STF get their share off the top. So, if price is your main concern get someone else to do it. Just make sure they are experienced with references and are using a similar product. There are a lot of variables involved in garage floor coating systems, make sure you're comparing products and installers fairly.

 

[mad57]

ok if its so great why doesnt hd have it on all there floors in ther big stores? theres is just sealed coated. makes ya think!!!

 

[AlphaGarage]

ok if its so great why doesnt hd have it on all there floors in ther big stores? theres is just sealed coated. makes ya think!!!

They also have mostly clueless workers, nasty lighting, warped lumber, watered down floor paint, and filthy parking lots. Makes me they're all about the profits.

 

[Dave88LX]

I hate the Home Depots around here, so ghetto/trashy/crowded/filled with idiots.

Lowes is King.

 

[rannalf]

Shut up Dave

My home depot here and in Roanoke are both nice. Of course, they are pretty new and we don't cotton to day laborers hanging out in front of our stores. I used to be a die hard Lowe's guy, but ours in Roanoke were as you described, so I switched. I guess it just depends on location.

Oh, BTWm I would do what Dave did on the floor and buy a quality product from a reputable vendor on here and DIY. I understand from the OP that he doesn't have the time, but I might still get the product and let a known installer put it in.

 

[danieronk]

What part of the country are you in???

Many areas you can hire a TRUE professional with a TRULY Professional Product for the same price.

HD "subs" this install out to painters. Many do not have the correct equipment to do it properly.

I have connections in many parts of the country that could get you a 15+ year warranty for the same price. ONE day install and MORE.

Let me know I may be able to help.

I would some of your recommendations for area surround Sterling IL 61081. Have you hear of TerrCon they are one of the bidders. STF is another but they said they do not use the rustoleum product and they said they import their chips, the call this Corazzo. The STF webiste Corazzo looks impressive but I cant find a lot of information on the produc they use. contact me at [email protected] I have 1000 sq feet for basement floor.

 

[WolverineCoatings]

and they said they import their chips,

Oh... BIG RED FLAG!!!

FYI... Anyone who is doing their floor should be SURE that the chips are made in America!

Why?

Well, if they put lead in the paint on childrens toys like 'Thomas the Train', and they poison the dog food, then you KNOW they are going to use lead and Cadmium based pigments in the chips! Oh, I almost forgot to mention Asbestos...

Get assurances in writing to protect yourselves and your families!

 

[FXR]

Well, for my first post I will chip in my .02...

We had a downstairs apartment (Turned lower level garage into a two bedroom) that had been covered in many different coverings over the years and we had to change it out every few years due to smells etc...
We opted to spend the cash at the Home Depot to get the Epoxy covering. It ended up looking like tan commercial carpet and we love it. Renters just cant hurt it and the install guys were a sub, but they were good (Father Son Team). I would do it again.

These guys cover central and south central Indiana.

 

[CFA]

I would some of your recommendations for area surround Sterling IL 61081. Have you hear of TerrCon they are one of the bidders. STF is another but they said they do not use the rustoleum product and they said they import their chips, the call this Corazzo. The STF webiste Corazzo looks impressive but I cant find a lot of information on the produc they use. contact me at [email protected] I have 1000 sq feet for basement floor.

Just to clear up:

STF buys their chips from the same place everybody else buys in bulk. There are a couple of places in US that I know of. (There may be one in Canada?) No need for red flags!
Also, STF does install Rustoleum epoxy products. It may be that in some areas, they have not completed the training required by Rustololeum.

Quick word about Corazzo: It is an great epoxy/urethane system. You cannot go wrong with it.