Can You Get A Resinous Flooring Deal?

If you have ever tried to get a contractor to do resinous flooring or any other commercial finish found in a school during the summer months, you might have had some trouble scheduling work.  Due to the high demand of resinous finishes in locker rooms and institutional restrooms, contractors can be scarce in June, July and August.  Schools take up much of the resinous flooring labor force for 3 months out of the year and most contractors struggle to complete all of their contracted work.  If you are trying to get the best “deal” on a floor and you do not have a pressing schedule, consider enticing contractors by letting them know that the work can be done from mid January to late May.  It is not universal, but most contractors are searching for jobs to keep their crews busy during the “slower” months.

Keep in mind that if a contractor has an open schedule in the busiest time of year, there may be a reason.  It is important to not only consider the time of year that the work is to be done, but also consider the body of work from the contractor that you are selecting.  One of my favorite quotes is, “you cannot afford the low bidder”.  If quality is a priority (and it should be), then even though you search out the best deal based on schedule, you may have to pay a little more for quality work.

Most major installers that have the man power to handle the workload are working for a combination of General Contractors and Owners.  In most cases, General Contractor work pays between 45-60 days depending on the project, and many schools projects don’t fund retainage for nearly a year.  If you are willing to pay for materials up front and fund completely in less than 30 days, a contractor will be motivated to consider a better price.  Keep in mind that most contractors are on a 30 day term with their material suppliers; during busy times, their credit line can hamper the ability to load their schedules.  Paying materials up front or upon completion can be a real motivator.

To sum it up; if you can wait until schedules are slower and you are willing to pay in full in less than 30 days, you might be able to score a better deal from a reputable contractor.