A New Floor Shouldn’t Come with Regrets

So, you’re ready to upgrade your garage floor. Maybe the concrete’s stained and cracked. Maybe you're tired of the dust and dull grey look. Whatever your reason, you’ve likely landed on epoxy flooring as the solution—and for good reason. A professionally installed garage floor coating can turn your space from an eyesore into a clean, durable, and great-looking part of your home.

But here’s the deal: Not all epoxy flooring contractors are created equal. And in a market like Ocala, FL, where every other company claims to have “the best” product or “the most durable” system, it can get overwhelming fast. One wrong hire and you could be staring at peeling epoxy, hot tire pickup, or patchy finishes just months after installation.

This isn’t a $100 coat of paint from the hardware store—it’s an investment in your home. So before you sign that contract, ask the right questions.

In this post, we’re going to break down five questions every Ocala homeowner should ask before hiring an epoxy flooring contractor. These aren’t fluff questions—they’re the kind that separate pros from pretenders and protect your garage floor for years to come.

1. Do You Specialize in Epoxy or Just Offer It?

This is where most homeowners get tripped up. A contractor might offer epoxy flooring—but that doesn’t mean they specialize in it. And in this line of work, “just another service we provide” usually means shortcuts, limited product knowledge, and zero accountability when things go sideways.

You want someone who lives and breathes floor coatings—not a painter who picked up a kit at the hardware store and decided to wing it.

Why does specialization matter? Because true epoxy flooring pros understand the chemistry, the surface prep, the cure times, and the finish options. They know how to work with Florida’s heat and humidity. They’ve done enough garages to know where coatings tend to fail and how to avoid it. That kind of experience isn’t optional—it’s essential.

In Ocala, where moisture and temperature swings can wreak havoc on a slab, you need someone who’s worked through those challenges before. Ask how many epoxy jobs they’ve done in the last year. Ask if they do coatings full-time or just part of the time. The more specific their answers, the better.

Bottom line: If epoxy flooring isn’t their bread and butter, keep looking.

2. How Do You Prepare the Concrete Surface?

If a contractor hesitates—or worse, downplays—this question, it’s a red flag.

Surface preparation isn’t just one step in the process. It’s the step. Even the best epoxy in the world won’t stick to a garage floor that wasn’t properly prepped. In fact, most failures in epoxy flooring can be traced back to poor prep: peeling, bubbling, hot tire pickup, discoloration—you name it.

So what should you hear when you ask this question?

In Ocala, a reputable epoxy contractor should mention mechanical grinding or shot blasting—not just acid etching or pressure washing. Mechanical grinding opens up the concrete’s pores, removes contaminants, and creates the proper profile for the epoxy to bond with. It’s dusty, noisy, and takes more time—but skipping it is a shortcut that leads straight to callbacks and warranty claims.

Also ask if they test for moisture. Florida slabs often have high humidity and hydrostatic pressure. If the contractor isn’t testing for moisture vapor before coating your garage floor, they’re setting you up for failure down the line.

Good prep is dirty work. But it’s the only way to get an epoxy floor that actually lasts.

3. What Products and Systems Do You Use?

This question cuts right through the sales pitch and gets to the heart of what you're actually buying. Not all epoxy is created equal—and unfortunately, some contractors bank on the fact that most homeowners won’t know the difference.

So ask them directly:
What kind of epoxy do you use? Is it 100% solids? Do you offer flake systems, metallic finishes, or polyaspartic topcoats? And perhaps most importantly—do you use professional-grade materials, or are you installing the same two-part kits you could buy at a big box store?

Here’s what you want to hear: a contractor who uses industrial-grade, 100% solids epoxy as the base coat, not diluted or water-based alternatives. If they’re applying a decorative flake system, they should also be installing a UV-stable topcoat like polyaspartic to protect against yellowing and wear. That kind of system can hold up to hot tires, oil spills, and foot traffic for 10–15 years or more.

In a hot, sunny climate like Ocala, a UV-resistant topcoat is non-negotiable for a garage floor. If a contractor can’t tell you exactly what they’re using and why, they probably don’t know—or don’t want you to know.

4. Can I See Your Previous Work and Local References?

Here’s the reality: Any contractor can build a slick website and throw some stock photos online. What you want is proof—real work, done locally, on garage floors just like yours.

When you ask to see past projects, don’t settle for vague answers or low-res photos. Ask for a portfolio of actual jobs completed in or around Ocala. Better yet, ask if you can drive by a recent project or talk to a past customer. Reputable epoxy flooring contractors will have no problem sharing that info—they’re proud of their work and know word-of-mouth is their best marketing tool.

Listen closely to how they respond. Do they light up when talking about projects they've done? Do they have before-and-after photos of garage floors in your area? Do their references check out? If they dodge the question or get defensive, that tells you everything you need to know.

In a city like Ocala, where referrals carry weight, a contractor who’s been around will have a local reputation—good or bad. Dig a little and you’ll find out which one they’ve earned.

5. What Warranty Do You Offer—and What Does It Cover?

Don’t just ask if there’s a warranty—ask what it actually covers. Because when things go wrong with epoxy flooring (and if it’s done poorly, they often do), the fine print becomes the whole story.

Some contractors in Ocala will toss out “lifetime warranty” just to close the deal. Sounds great, until you realize it only covers product defects—not adhesion issues, not yellowing, and definitely not labor. Others might promise a warranty but won’t put it in writing.

A real warranty from a reputable epoxy flooring contractor should include both materials and labor, with clear terms on how long it's valid and what voids it. For example, if hot tire pickup happens six months in, are you covered? If the floor starts peeling after the first summer, will they fix it—or will they blame “improper maintenance”?

At Safeguard Coatings, we stand behind our floors with confidence because we prep them right, use pro-grade materials, and install them to last. We don’t hide behind loopholes—we deliver floors that perform, and we’re not afraid to back it up in writing.

If a contractor can’t do the same, ask yourself why.

Ready to Get It Done Right the First Time?

Here’s the truth: epoxy flooring is one of those projects where you don’t want to learn the hard way. A great floor makes your garage look sharp, feel clean, and function like an extension of your home. A bad one? You’ll be calling someone else to rip it up and redo it.

If you're in Ocala and want a garage floor that’s built to last—not just look good for a few months—talk to the team at Safeguard Coatings. We specialize in epoxy flooring, we prep every floor the right way, and we only use high-quality materials that hold up to Florida weather, heavy use, and time.

We’ll walk you through the process, answer all five of these questions (and more), and help you feel confident about your investment.

Call us at 352-400-6256, email [email protected] or fill out our contact form to get a free quote and talk through your project.

Let’s build a floor that looks good, performs even better, and actually lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Epoxy Flooring in Ocala

How much does epoxy garage flooring cost in Ocala?

Most residential garage floors in Ocala range from $4 to $7 per square foot, depending on the system you choose. Flake epoxy systems with a polyaspartic topcoat land toward the higher end due to their durability and finish. Always get a detailed quote that includes prep, materials, and warranty—cheaper isn’t better if it starts failing in a year.

How long does an epoxy floor installation take?

For a standard two-car garage, most epoxy floor systems take 1 to 2 days to install. Add an extra day for full cure time before heavy use. Weather and moisture levels can affect scheduling, so plan ahead—especially in Florida’s rainy seasons.

Can epoxy floors handle the Florida heat?

Yes—but only if the right materials are used. A high-quality epoxy base coat paired with a UV-resistant polyaspartic topcoat can handle Ocala’s heat and humidity without yellowing, peeling, or softening under hot tires.

Will epoxy cover up cracks in my garage floor?

Small surface cracks can usually be repaired and blended during prep. But large cracks or structural issues may require additional concrete repair before coating. A professional contractor should inspect your slab and include crack repair in the prep process.