Resolve approval before making irreversible choices
If you lease the space, establish who may authorize removal, concrete preparation and the final coating. Bring the landlord or property manager into the discussion before colors are selected. A flooring estimate should be based on the approved area and intended use, rather than assumptions about what the lease allows.
Clarify who owns fixed counters, shelving and equipment. Their removal can reveal additional concrete or change the work boundary. If the premises must be returned in a particular condition at the end of the tenancy, discuss that requirement with the responsible parties before committing to a floor system.
Record the condition at the start of the project
Photograph the floor after the previous occupant's belongings are removed. Mark stains, patched areas, cracks, remaining adhesive and damaged door edges. Ask for available records of past coatings or repairs before agreeing on preparation.
Where removal is being handled separately, agree what is included in that contractor's handover. Unexpected material or concealed damage should be evaluated before preparation proceeds. Identify who can approve a change in scope so a discovery does not become a dispute over responsibility.
Coordinate the fit-out around the floor
Flooring work may share a schedule with painting, cabinetry and equipment delivery. Give each trade a defined access window and explain which installations would prevent preparation beneath them. Plan how finished surfaces will be protected when later work resumes, following the selected coating's instructions.
- Confirm utilities and access are available during the agreed work period.
- Identify the person authorized to accept preparation or repair changes.
- Keep fixed opening dates separate from product-dependent curing milestones.
- Arrange storage so deliveries do not force premature use of the floor.
Agree on the handover, not just the color
Compare solid color or decorative flake options against the new business's traffic and care routine. Before work starts, identify how edges, transitions and any remaining joints will be reviewed. The handover should include the installed system, maintenance guidance and when furnishings or equipment may return, giving the tenant and owner the same practical record.