How to Price and Quote Epoxy Floor Jobs to Maximize Profit

Pricing. It’s one of the most challenging parts of running a profitable epoxy flooring business. Price too high, and you lose the job to a competitor. Price too low, and you're working for free, or worse, losing money. If you’ve ever felt like you're just guessing at a number, you're not alone.

Knowing how to price epoxy floors correctly is a skill that separates struggling startups from thriving, profitable businesses. It’s not just about covering your material costs; it’s about valuing your time, expertise, and the incredible transformation you provide. It doesn't matter if you found this lead through your concrete coatings social media page, or through word of mouth, the below advice remains the same.

This guide will break down the exact factors you need to consider to create accurate, professional quotes that win jobs and protect your profits. While winning the quote is crucial, it's only one part of the customer journey. To learn how to get more quote opportunities in the first place, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Lead Generation for Epoxy Businesses.

The Core Components of Your Epoxy Quote

A profitable quote is built by layering several key costs. Let's break them down one by one.

1. Start with Your Base Cost Per Square Foot

Everything starts with the size of the job. You need a baseline price per square foot ($/sq ft) that covers your fundamental costs for a simple, standard job. This baseline should include:

• Standard Materials: Your go-to epoxy base coat, a standard flake broadcast, and a polyaspartic top coat.
• Labor: The time it takes for your team to complete a straightforward installation.
• Overhead: A portion of your fixed business costs (insurance, vehicle payments, tool maintenance, marketing).

A common range for a standard residential garage floor might be between $5 to $9 per square foot. Your exact baseline will depend on your local market and material costs. Don't just copy this number; calculate your own!

2. The Biggest Variable: Concrete Preparation

This is where most new contractors lose money. The condition of the existing concrete floor is the single most important factor affecting your time and material costs. You must evaluate the floor in person before giving a final quote.

Here’s what to look for and how it affects the price:

• Cracks: Hairline cracks need to be chased (opened up) and filled. Larger cracks require more extensive repair. You must charge extra for this labor and material.
• Pitting and Spalling: Surface damage from salt or wear and tear requires extra grinding and may need a patching or resurfacing layer before the base coat.
• Previous Coatings: Is there an old, peeling DIY kit on the floor? Removing it is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process that requires specialized tooling. This can easily add $1 to $2+ per square foot to the job cost.
• Moisture Issues: A proper moisture test is critical. If the concrete has high moisture vapor transmission, you will need to apply a moisture-mitigating primer. This is a premium product and a crucial step that you must charge for. Skipping it will lead to floor failure.

3. Material Choices and Upgrades

Your base price covers standard materials, but customers often want premium options. These are opportunities to increase the ticket price and your profit margin.

• Epoxy vs. Polyaspartic: While you might use a polyaspartic top coat as standard, some jobs might call for a full polyaspartic system, which is typically more expensive but offers faster cure times.
• Metallic Epoxy: This is a premium, artistic finish that requires more skill and more expensive pigments. Metallic floors should always be priced significantly higher than a standard flake floor.
• Flake Coverage: Are you doing a random broadcast or a full-refusal broadcast where flakes cover 100% of the floor? A full-flake floor uses significantly more material and should be priced accordingly.
• Premium Top Coats: Do they need extra chemical resistance or enhanced UV stability for an outdoor patio? Offer a premium urethane or polyaspartic top coat as an upgrade.

Building a Quote That Wins the Job

Once you have your numbers, how you present them matters. A professional, detailed quote builds trust and justifies your price. Avoid sending a one-line text message with a single number.

Use a simple epoxy quote template that you can reuse for every job. It should be a clean, digital document with your company logo and contact information.

Sample Epoxy Quote Template

1. Customer Information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone / Email

2. Scope of Work (Be Detailed!):

• Area: 2-Car Garage (Approx. 450 sq ft)
• Preparation: Diamond grind concrete surface to CSP-2 profile. Chase and fill all visible cracks.
• Base Coat: Apply one coat of 100% solids epoxy in Medium Gray.
• Flake System: Full broadcast of "Domino" 1/4" flake blend.
• Top Coat: Apply one coat of high-solids, UV-stable polyaspartic clear coat for maximum durability and gloss retention.

3. The Investment:

• Subtotal: $3,150.00
• Crack & Patch Repair: $200.00
• Sales Tax: $276.13
• Total Investment: $3,626.13

4. Terms & Conditions:

• Payment Schedule (e.g., 50% deposit to schedule, 50% on completion).
• Your warranty information.
• Estimated project timeline.

This level of detail shows the customer exactly what they are paying for. It frames the project as a professional construction service, not just a coat of paint.

Common Pricing Pitfalls to Avoid

• Forgetting Overhead: Don't just price for materials and labor. You must account for insurance, marketing, gas, and other costs of being in business.
• Quoting Over the Phone: Never give a final price without seeing the floor first. An "easy" job can quickly become a nightmare if there's a failing coating that needs to be removed.
• Not Charging for Samples: If a customer wants custom metallic samples, it's fair to charge a small fee for your time and materials, which can then be credited toward the final job if they proceed.
• Competing on Price Alone: The lowest bid rarely gets the best clients. Compete on quality, professionalism, and the value you provide. A detailed quote and a stunning portfolio are how you win against the low-ballers.

Pricing your work is a direct reflection of how you value your business. By taking a structured approach, accounting for all variables, and presenting your quote professionally, you can confidently price your jobs to ensure maximum profitability and build a reputation for quality that attracts high-end clients.

Want to make your quote stand out even more? Nothing justifies a premium price better than showing the customer exactly what their new floor will look like.

Create a professional visual to go with your quote in seconds. Try FlooringZap for free.