Are you planning to cover your concrete floors to give them the epoxy look and strength? Epoxy floor coating is quickly becoming a popular surface for garages, basements, patios, and commercial buildings. However, one of the first things that comes to the mind of clients is – how much does epoxy paint cost?
The answer depends on a few factors, such as whether you choose to do the work yourself or hire a professional. In this post, let’s discuss epoxy flooring cost in Brisbane. You will know which approach is best for your area and your pocket.
What materials and tools are needed to apply an epoxy floor?
Before we dive into epoxy paint cost per square meter, let’s review what materials and tools are required for an epoxy flooring project:
· Epoxy resin and hardener
· Concrete cleaning and etching products
· Floor patch and repair products for cracks and damage
· Brushes and rollers for application
· Spiked shoes for walking on wet epoxy
· Optional decorative chips or flakes
The specific products that you will use will depend on the status of the concrete floor, its size, and the kind of finish you want. This can be done with the help of experts who specialize in concrete coatings, and they will guide you as to which materials are suitable for your project.
DIY epoxy flooring costs
DIY fans might relish the idea of applying epoxy floors on their own since they’d save a lot of money. Here’s a rough breakdown of material costs for a 500-square-foot garage:
- Epoxy Floor Coating Kit (covers 500 sq ft): $200-$400
- Concrete Prep Solutions: $50-$150
- Brushes, Rollers, Trays, Shoes, etc: $100-$200
- Decorative Chips/Flakes (optional): $50-$150
- Total: $400-$900
Looking at the bare essentials for doing the epoxy yourself, the material expenses seem fairly low, typically under one thousand dollars. However, there are some other factors to consider:
- Time Investment: Generally, the process of preparing and applying epoxy floor takes several days with much effort and expense. Think about the value of time.
- Equipment Costs: Do you already own or can you borrow all the tools such as the grinders, shop vac, power washer and others used in the floor preparation process? Renting or buying these adds to project costs.
- Experience Level: Epoxy application is quite challenging and this means that once you make a mistake , it will cost a lot of money. Be truthful about your capacity for preparing and applying the perfect coat to the floor.
DIY vs. professional application cost
In the next part of “how much does epoxy paint cost?” answer guide, let us now look at the cost of doing it yourself compared to hiring epoxy flooring contractors. Average costs of employment can range from a low of $3 per square footage to a high of $12 depending on the tasks done. The cost for a 500 sq ft garage will be $1500-$6000.
While DIY epoxy floors may be 2-6X cheaper, professional epoxy floors may appear quite costly. However, there are significant benefits:
· No Equipment or Material Costs: Contractors come with all the materials and equipment that may be required for the specific job. You are charged only for the area of the floor that is completed.
· Proper Surface Preparation: Professionals possess the tools and manpower to fix, level, and prepare concrete surfaces to ensure an excellent coating bond.
· Higher Quality Coatings: Epoxy flooring specialists apply high-quality commercial-grade 100% solids epoxy that is more attractive and more durable than most do-it-yourself kits.
· Faster Completion: When it comes to installation, a crew of professional installers can easily complete the job within day or two against a week’s time if it were do-it-yourself.
· Warranty: It is really unusual for contractors not to warranty their work against peeling or defects for several years. Remember, your DIY results are not guaranteed.
Equipment Cost to Start an Epoxy Flooring Business!
At the end of our “how much does epoxy paint cost?” answer guide, let’s discuss equipment cost. In addition to the surface prep tools and application supplies listed above, plan to invest in:
- Professional Concrete Grinder: $2000+
- Industrial Shop Vacuum: $500+
- Commercial Pressure Washer: $1000+
- High Volume Epoxy Mixer: $500+
Startup equipment costs will therefore cost anywhere from $5000-$10,000 plus or minus, depending on the equipment. You must incorporate the cost of epoxy resin and accessories, as well as fuel, into your business model and offer prices.
Proper training in concrete preparation and epoxy techniques is also critical for delivering quality results to customers. Consider online or in-person training courses as part of your initial investment.
It is also important to ensure that customers deliver quality work through the correct preparation of the concrete surface and the correct use of epoxy. Training can be an online or face-to-face course that costs as part of the initial expenses.
Final words
All in all, we can conclude that the cost of an epoxy floor influences by several factors, ranging from the size of the room and the state of the flooring to whether you want to do it yourself or hire the services of professionals. Depending on the time, tools and skills that you have at your disposal you can decide on the best course of action most suitable for you and your pocket.
For homeowners who intend to renovate their garage or businessmen the correct application ensures longevity and levels of satisfaction with one’s floor.
FAQ
Can I epoxy my garage floor on my own and what charge am I likely to incur?
For epoxy flooring a 500 sq ft garage yourself it will run you from $400 to $900 in materials but excludes equipment and your time and effort.
Which of the epoxy flooring solutions is less expensive – to do it yourself or hire a specialist?
Self-applied epoxy flooring has lower material costs than professional services, but one must consider the expense of equipment, time, and any errors.
What is the cost of hiring epoxy flooring contractors?
The cost of professional epoxy flooring is different. It ranges from $3 to $12 per square foot or $1,500 – $6,000 for a 500 sq ft garage.
How long would an epoxy floor last?
A high-quality epoxy floor can last up to ten- twenty years and even more if it is installed professionally.
Is epoxy flooring worth the investment?
It’s a long-lasting, smooth, and slip-resistant surface. Epoxy flooring is perfect for homes and businesses, as well as improving the value of a property. Many people consider it as a worthy spend, especially when the work is done by professionals.