Copy this table into your bid notes
| Line to compare | What should be written down |
|---|---|
| Existing floor | Age if known; paint, sealer, oil, cracks, spalls, moisture signs and drains |
| Removal | Which old materials come off and whether disposal is included |
| Surface preparation | Mechanical method, target profile where specified, and dust-control approach |
| Concrete repair | Exact cracks, pits, edges or patches included; treatment of moving joints |
| Coating system | Manufacturer and names of primer, base, flake and topcoat; number of coats |
| Finish | Color sample, flake coverage, texture and sheen |
| Perimeter | Threshold, stem walls, steps, drains and control joints |
| Timing | Workdays; separate times for walking, storage and vehicle parking |
| Aftercare | Cleaning products, maintenance instructions and remedy for damage |
| Warranty | Covered failures, term, transfer rules and exclusions |
The first price difference is often under the coating
A low bid may assume a clean, dry, sound slab. A higher one may include grinding off old paint, repairing a broken threshold and handling several cracks. Ask both contractors to price the same scope. Sherwin-Williams' surface preparation guidance explains why contaminants and weak concrete cannot be ignored. If a proposal says only “prep floor,” ask what that means on your floor.
Moisture needs its own line when there is a reason to suspect it: a blistered old coating, recurring dark patches, damp stored items or a fresh slab. Ask what test will be used and how the result will be compared with the selected product's limits. ASTM F2170 is one method for measuring in-situ relative humidity; the reading describes specific places at a specific time.
Ask to see the actual product data sheets
“Epoxy” and “polyaspartic” name broad product families. The proposal should list the products in each layer and the manufacturer's instructions for concrete preparation, application conditions, cure and maintenance. A sample board also helps settle what “full flake” or “non-slip” means in that bid. Compare the finished surface under the same light if you can.
Do not turn a product's headline cure time into a promise for your garage. Temperature, moisture and system build can change the schedule. Get separate written times for walking, returning cabinets and parking vehicles. If the garage must be back in use by a fixed date, say that before the work is scheduled.
Read the warranty for the exclusions
Ask what happens if the coating peels from sound concrete, wears under tires, yellows near the door, or cracks over a moving joint. Those are different outcomes and may have different coverage. A long term printed in large type is less useful than a short, clear explanation of what the contractor will repair and what you must maintain.
For winter use in Indiana, ask about cleaning tracked-in grit and deicers. INDOT's winter operations guidance confirms that salt and brine are routine road treatments. Manufacturer maintenance guidance recommends different cleaning methods for smooth and textured resin floors. Ask for those instructions with the final paperwork.
Use the checklist at the on-site visit
Take five photos: a full floor view, the threshold, the worst crack, any old paint or oil, and a low spot or drain. Note when the slab was poured if known and when the cars must return. With those facts in hand, a contractor can discuss a real scope instead of guessing from garage size. Our garage coating service page explains the systems we offer, and the service area page points to city-specific details.
Technical references: Sherwin-Williams preparation, ASTM F2170, INDOT winter operations, and Sherwin-Williams floor maintenance. Ask each bidder for the data sheet for the products actually offered.
Need a specification for your slab?
Photos and a short description help start the conversation. An on-site inspection determines the actual scope.
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