Quick Summary
- No mention of surface prep in the quote is the single biggest warning sign
- Verbal-only quotes with no written scope mean no accountability
- Extremely low prices almost always indicate shortcuts in prep or product quality
- No proof of insurance or licensing is a liability risk for you
- Pressure to decide immediately or pay a large deposit upfront is a warning sign
- Contractors who cannot name the specific products they use are a concern
After helping friends navigate this process more than once, I have a list of things that made me nervous and turned out to be justified. Here are the red flags to watch for when you are evaluating epoxy contractors. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
No Discussion of Surface Preparation
This is the biggest one. If a contractor comes to your garage, looks at the floor, and jumps straight to what color you want and what the price will be without talking about how they will prepare the surface, that is a problem.
Surface prep is the foundation of every successful epoxy job. A contractor who does not ask about or discuss moisture testing, grinding or shot blasting, or crack and damage repair either does not know what they are doing or plans to cut corners.
💡 Tip
If a contractor does not mention surface prep unprompted, ask them directly: "Walk me through your prep process." Their answer will tell you everything you need to know.
Everything is Verbal Only
A contractor who won't put anything in writing is a contractor who does not want to be held accountable. A verbal promise about what products will be used, how many coats will be applied, or what the warranty covers is essentially worthless if something goes wrong.
Always insist on a written scope of work before signing anything or paying a deposit.
The Price is Dramatically Lower Than Everyone Else
If you got three quotes and one is 40 to 50 percent cheaper than the others, do not get excited. Ask why. Almost every time, the answer is that prep is being shortcut, the product is lower quality, fewer coats are being applied, or the contractor is underbidding to get the work and has no plan to deliver what a reasonable price would require.
Epoxy floor pricing has a floor (pun intended). Below a certain price point, the job simply cannot be done correctly. A 500-square-foot garage floor done right — with shot blasting, primer, base coat, broadcast, and topcoat — costs real money in materials and labor. When someone bids dramatically below that, something is missing from the scope.
💡 Tip
Ask the low bidder exactly what prep method they will use and what specific products they will apply. Compare that side by side with the other quotes. The gap usually becomes clear.
No Proof of Insurance or Licensing
This is not just a yellow flag — it is a red one. A contractor who operates without a license or insurance is not just cutting corners; they are exposing you to financial risk. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you may be responsible. If they damage your home or vehicle, you have no insured party to pursue.
Ask for a certificate of insurance before any work starts. It takes contractors about 30 seconds to email one to you. If they push back or make excuses, you have your answer.
Pressure to Decide Right Now
High-pressure sales tactics — "this price is only good today," "I have another job I could do instead," "you need to put down a deposit to hold your spot right now" — are designed to get you to skip the due diligence you should be doing. Good contractors do not need to pressure you. Their work speaks for itself.
💡 Tip
Urgency tactics are almost always a sign that the contractor knows they would not survive comparison with their competitors.
They Cannot Name the Products They Use
If you ask a contractor "what epoxy product will you be using?" and they say something like "our own proprietary blend" or "a professional-grade system" without naming a manufacturer, that is a concern. Reputable installers use name-brand professional products and are proud to tell you what they are.
Knowing the product name lets you look up the technical data sheet, confirm it is appropriate for your application, and check the manufacturer's warranty terms independently.
Huge Upfront Deposit Requirements
A deposit of 25 to 30 percent of the job total is normal and reasonable. A contractor asking for 50 percent or more upfront — especially before any work has started — is unusual and risky. In the flooring industry, this has unfortunately been a setup for contractors who take the money and do minimal or substandard work, knowing you do not have much leverage once the money is gone.
💡 Tip
Never pay more than you are comfortable losing if a contractor were to walk away. Structure payments around milestones: deposit to schedule, remainder on completion.