How Much Does It Cost To Epoxy Coat Garage Floor?

Cost factors for epoxy garage floors

Several factors determine how much your specific price to epoxy a garage floor will be. Prepare to pay between $2 and $5 per square foot for materials and equipment and between $1 and $7 per square foot for labor. Overall, you should plan to pay between $3 and $12 per square foot for the entire job — including installation. If you’re opting for solid epoxy, it may cost up to three times more than water-based epoxy. If you have a large garage, you’ll pay more for higher-end solid epoxy flooring, but it could still be a viable option if you’re applying it in a small space. Solid epoxy requires less maintenance and lasts longer — which could save you money over time.

Let’s take a closer look at some factors that may affect the cost of your new epoxy garage floor.

Size or total square footage

The size of your garage will affect the cost of new epoxy flooring. For example, a smaller 250-square-foot single-car garage may cost between $700 and $3,000, while a large, 400, or 500-square-foot garage will run between $1,200 and $6,000 to cover. The large your garage is, the more it will cost in both labor and materials, so keep this in mind when you get estimates from installers in your area.

Epoxy floor labor cost

In most instances, it will cost between $1 and $7 per square foot for labor to install new epoxy garage floors. It may require two people to prep the area and take a full day to complete. The prep work should cost approximately $500. It will take another day to coat the flooring and then another day to seal it. Always get detailed estimates that show a breakdown of your costs, including the materials and the labor, separately.

Epoxy garage flooring application methods

How your new epoxy garage flooring is applied can also affect the total cost. Some methods use a roller to apply the mixture, while others use a squeegee, trowel, or sprayer. Speak to a professional with experience installing an epoxy floor and ask them which method they use. Some application methods are more costly than others since they’re more labor-intensive or take longer to complete.

Epoxy garage materials and equipment

On average, epoxy flooring materials cost anywhere from $0.37 to $1.40 per square foot. Your cost will depend on which type of epoxy you choose. Solid epoxy typically costs $1.40 per square foot, and water-based epoxy costs less at around $0.37 to $1.20 per square foot. The equipment used to apply your new epoxy garage floors may include power washers, shop vacs, a range of power tools, hand tools, different-sized squeegees, rollers, spiked rollers (to remove air bubbles), and safety or protective gear. 

Epoxy types

Another factor to consider is the type of epoxy used. Water-based epoxy is your cheapest option and costs between $30 to $50 per gallon. Solvent-based epoxy is a good mid-grade choice that typically costs about $45 per gallon. On the high end is solid epoxy, which can be up to $150 per gallon.

Site prep

The contractor will need to prepare the garage before you can apply the epoxy. Make sure your garage is empty, including everything on the floor and shelves around the edges of the garage. If you want to save money, you can empty the garage yourself. Most garages have concrete floors, meaning you’ll need to prep them for application. The concrete will need to be etched or acid-washed to provide a textured grip for the epoxy to ensure proper adhesion. Plan to pay around $54 for prep work for every 3 gallons of product. You’ll also need to wash the garage floors before they’re etched to eliminate debris, dirt, and grime.

Repairs

If there are any chips, cracks, or damage to your concrete garage floor, they must be repaired before you can add epoxy. Plan to pay between $25 and $250 to patch your floors. If the cracks result from foundation issues, it’s vital to repair the foundation first, which can be pretty expensive. Repairing your home's foundation may cost between $8,000 and $30,000. 

The benefits of an epoxy floor

Getting an epoxy garage floor has a wide range of benefits that will improve your home’s value and functionality. Here are some of the perks of getting garage epoxy flooring.

• Adding an epoxy floor coating will transform your drab garage floor into a smooth, shiny, glossy surface. You can also choose customized garage floor epoxy colors, including metallics, a rainbow of colors, and decorative flakes to give it additional texture and depth.
• Epoxy floors are a great value compared to other floor options for your garage — such as tile or vinyl. For the cost, epoxy is quite durable and long-lasting.
• Most epoxy floors will last longer than other flooring types since it’s resistant to chemicals, stains, water, and most scratches. It’s also straightforward to keep clean and maintain.
• Epoxy is a sealant, so it protects your garage floors by bonding to the surface of the concrete. Not only does this protect the floor underneath, but it also strengthens the concrete to help protect it from wear and tear.
• These floors are easy to clean with a simple sweep with a broom or vacuum. They can also be cleaned with a combination of soap and water or a mild cleaning solution. Epoxy flooring won’t be affected by road salt, chemicals, oil, grease, or water. Plus, spills are easy to clean without leaving a stain behind.

DIY or hire a pro

You may wonder whether epoxy floors are something you can DIY it, or if it’s best to hire a professional. Applying this material to your garage floor requires proper preparation of the concrete floor, patience, and skill. Most concrete flooring professionals already have the tools, know-how, and materials to do the job correctly. They also have access to better quality epoxy and know precisely how to apply the coating correctly so that it lasts a long time. However, if you want to try this project DIY, epoxy flooring kits are available at most home improvement stores. These kits cost between $50 and $600 depending on how much you need, the brand, and where you purchase them. 

Remember that if you buy the epoxy kit separately, you’ll need to ensure you have all the right tools and materials to apply it, including concrete patching compound, application tools, sealant, and more. Overall, hiring a pro will ensure there are little to no mistakes made, and you may also get a warranty for the work just in case of any issues later.