Floor waxing is a difficult and labor-intensive job that also involves the use of hazardous chemicals. As such, it should always be handled by a trained professional. According to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 642 of the fatal occupational injuries that occurred in 2019 were caused by exposure to harmful substances or environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also recorded 56 fatal occupational injuries and 33,990 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses amongst building cleaning workers during this same period.
Employing the services of a professional floor waxing contractor near you ensures that your floor is properly stripped and waxed without having to expose yourself to any of the workplace hazards associated with it. However, before you do so, you should ask the following questions:
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Are You a Licensed Floor Waxing Contractor?
Floor waxing contractors are not typically required to obtain a professional license. However, it is always a good idea to contact your local consumer protection agency to find out whether your city or county of residence has any specific floor waxing licensing requirements.
Although licensing is not typically required, many professional floor waxing contractors obtain certifications from professional bodies like the Building Service Contractors Association International and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. Floor waxing contractors that are certified generally tend to be more experienced and professional than non-certified contractors.
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Are You a Bonded and Insured Floor Waxing Contractor?
Hiring a floor waxing contractor that is insured protects you financially if anyone gets injured either on the job or as a direct result of it. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses and 5,333 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2019. If your floor waxing contractor is insured, then your financial exposure is greatly reduced. You can verify your floor waxing contractor's insurance status by requesting a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate. Make sure that the contractor is covered by general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance at the very least.
Likewise, although bonding is not typically a requirement for floor waxing contractors, it is always a good idea to hire a floor waxing contractor nearby that is bonded. Working with bonded contractors protects you in certain contractor-related financial scenarios. Examples are situations where the contractor fails to properly complete the job or even fails to pay any subcontractors. Always ask your contractor for proof of bonding and details of the organization that provided the bond. You can directly contact this organization to verify any information given to you by your floor waxing contractor.
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What Kind of Work Are You Specialized In?
Floor wax comes in two basic forms, solid paste, and liquid. Solid paste floor waxes are typically harder to apply but they require fewer coat applications than liquid floor waxes, which are much easier to apply. Although both types of floor waxes can be used for different floors, some waxes work better with particular floors. For example, solid paste waxes generally work better on concrete floors than liquid waxes.
Also, even though many professional floor waxing contractors handle both residential and commercial projects, some contractors specialize in a particular type. Commercial floor waxing contractors typically work with stripping, waxing, and buffering machines, while some residential floor waxing contractors are unable to use these machines and work with mop-down floor waxes. When hiring a floor waxing contractor near you, you should always find out if the contractor is specialized in a particular method of floor waxing, and whether the contractor is skilled enough to apply the type of wax that is best suited to your floor finishing.
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Who Will Do the Work?
Asking who will do the work is an important question when you want to hire a professional floor waxing contractor. The number of workers that will be involved in a floor waxing project typically depends on the size of the floor that needs to be waxed. Before the contractor you intend to hire begins the project, always find out the exact number of workers that will be required for the job. You should also make sure that each worker involved is insured and bonded. This way, you are financially protected if an injury occurs or if the job is not adequately handled.
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Do You Offer a Warranty?
A warranty is a form of assurance provided by the seller of a product or service that guarantees the quality of the product or service that was paid for. It is advisable to hire contractors that provide warranties for their services. Any professional floor waxing contractor near you would typically provide a workmanship warranty. This type of warranty covers the floor waxing work that was done and assures you that it was done properly. Even though warranties can be implied or issued orally, it is always a good idea to request them in writing. This way, any terms and conditions that come with it are clearly spelled out.
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Will This Job Require a Permit?
Floor waxing does not require a permit. Permits are government-issued approvals that are required for certain types of home improvement projects. These are usually construction, renovation, or remodeling projects that end up significantly altering the structure or footprint of the home or property. As such, you do not need a permit for floor waxing because it is not considered a major home improvement project.
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Will You Provide References?
It is important to hire a floor waxing contractor that can provide you with references for previously completed jobs. According to the Federal Trade Commission, any contractor that you intend to hire should be able to provide you with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of no less than three clients that have carried out a similar project. These may be clients living near you. A professional floor waxing contractor will generally provide you with this information, and also offer you pictures of projects they have completed. These pictures may be in binders, on a mobile device, or online via the contractor's website.
Note that you can also utilize the services of some third-party websites to search for reviews on a floor waxing contractor that you intend to hire. Examples of these types of websites include Better Business Bureau and Yelp, Google Review.
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Do You Have a Business License?
Any business that has less than 500 employees is considered a small business in the United States. It is estimated that there are about 30.7 million registered small businesses in the country, and they include floor waxing businesses. Even though floor waxing contractors do not typically require professional licenses, they generally have to obtain a business license before they can legally conduct business in an area.
You should always hire a floor waxing contractor nearby that has a valid business license. The requirements for obtaining a business license vary by location. As such, you should contact your state of residence's Office of the Secretary of State to find out the business licensing requirements for your locality. This office can also help you verify the validity of the business license that a floor waxing contractor provides.
What Are Common Floor Waxing Problems?
Some common problems encountered by individuals that attempt to wax their floors by themselves are:
- Damaging the floor by using the wrong stripping chemicals
- Self-inflicted injuries due to improper handling of the stripping solution
- Applying too much or too little floor wax
- Streaks, swirls, and scratches on the floor
- Slippery or sticky floors
- Discoloration
You can avoid all these problems by hiring a professional floor waxing contractor.
How Much Does Floor Waxing Cost?
Floor waxing typically costs an average fee of $0.50 - $1.50 per square foot. The total cost is affected by the size of the area that has to be waxed, the number of obstructions that have to be moved around, and the amount of dirt that has to be stripped away. Note that some floor waxing contractors may charge a minimum call-out fee. This is usually $150 - $200.
What Are the Factors That Affect the Cost of Floor Waxing?
The size of the area that is to be waxed is the main factor that affects the cost of floor waxing. Waxing the floor of a small room will typically cost you less than waxing that of a big room. However, waxing several small rooms is generally more expensive than waxing a single big open area. Other factors that affect the cost of floor waxing are:
These factors determine how labor-intensive the project will be, thereby affecting the total cost of the project. Also, after your floor is stripped, you may wish to have it sealed before it is waxed. Doing this will cost you an additional $1 - $2 per square foot. Note, hiring contractors near you may help limit the total cost on floor waxing projects because of reduced travel and material carriage costs.
What Qualifications Should a Floor Waxing Contractor Have?
There is no minimum educational qualification for individuals that wish to become floor waxing contractors. Floor waxing contractors generally learn on the job, and some floor waxing companies also provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for their employees. Finally, floor waxing contractors can also obtain certifications through trade associations and organizations like the Building Service Contractors Association International and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.
Do You Need a Handyman or a Professional Floor Waxing Contractor?
Although hiring a handyman near you may seem cheaper, it is always better to hire a professional floor waxing contractor. Hiring a professional floor waxing contractor ensures that the job is done once and with expertise. This way, you avoid the problems associated with improper floor waxing like damaged, discolored, or sticky floors, which end up costing you more in the long run. Also, a professional floor waxing contractor is more likely to be insured and bonded than a handyman. This ensures that you are financially protected in the event of a workplace injury or if the contractor defaults on the job
What Are Common Post Floor Waxing Expenses?
Floor waxing does not typically have any additional expenses after the job has been completed. This is because the waxing itself is a maintenance procedure. Generally, the floor waxing contractor disposes of any debris generated from the project. This includes used or left-over chemicals. The cost for doing this is usually included in your floor waxing bill. However, it is always a good idea to confirm from your contractor whether the responsibility of disposing of any debris and chemicals will be borne by them.
Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Floor Waxing Expenses?
Homeowners' insurance policies generally cover sudden and unexpected damages to your property. As such, floor waxing expenses are not covered by standard homeowners' insurance policies. This is because floor waxing is usually done to maintain and improve the lifespan of your floor, and your property as a whole.
However, if the floor waxing is being done as part of a repair or replacement project, then your insurance policy may pay for the expenses. Note that this can only happen if your floor was damaged by a peril that is covered by your policy. In 2018, 5.7% of all insured homes had an insurance claim, and over 98% of these claims were as a result of property damage like fire, lightning, water damage, and theft.
Before buying a homeowner's insurance policy, you should always find out the perils that the policy covers. It is also a good idea to make sure that your premiums are always paid up.
Can I Use Digital Payment to Pay My Floor Waxing Contractor?
Like most small businesses today, any floor waxing contractor near you would accept digital payment. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, more contractors have embraced payments made through digital channels. Digital payment methods have the advantage of being faster, more secure, cheaper, and more convenient than traditional payment methods like cash, check, and money orders. They also provide instant receipts, which are necessary for record-keeping purposes. However, you should always let your floor waxing contractor know that you intend to pay for the project via digital methods before the work begins. It is also a good idea to collect a receipt for any payments that you make with traditional payment methods like cash, checks, or money orders.