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Floor Stripping and Waxing

Floor stripping and waxing removes all the old finish from a vinyl composition tile (VCT) or similar resilient floor with a chemical stripper and a floor machine, then applies several fresh coats of floor finish, often called wax. It is the deepest floor service and is usually followed by lighter scrub and recoat or burnishing between strips. Pick your city below to compare local companies, or request free quotes.

How strip and wax works

• Furniture is moved and the floor is swept and dust mopped.
• A stripping solution is applied and left to dwell, then scrubbed with a floor machine to lift the old finish.
• The slurry is picked up and the floor is rinsed so no stripper residue is left.
• Once dry, several thin coats of floor finish are applied, each allowed to dry before the next.
• The floor is left to cure before heavy traffic and furniture return.

Strip and wax or scrub and recoat?

If the finish is only dull or lightly scuffed, a scrub and recoat (removing the top layer and adding fresh coats) is faster and cheaper. Stripping is for floors where the finish is yellowed, built up, peeling or worn through to the tile.

What affects the price

• Square footage and how much furniture must be moved.
• How many layers of old finish must come off.
• The number of new coats.
• Whether the work must happen overnight or on a weekend.

Ask whether the price includes moving furniture, how many coats you will get, and how long the floor must cure before it can be used.

How to choose a company

• Insurance: ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation coverage, and check the dates.
• Bonding: a janitorial bond (also called a business service bond) covers theft by the company's employees. Many property managers require one.
• Background checks: ask whether staff who will have keys or alarm codes are background-checked.
• Written scope: get a task list by frequency (nightly, weekly, monthly) after a walkthrough, not a price over the phone.
• Supplies: confirm who pays for trash liners, paper products, soap and cleaning chemicals.
• Supervision: ask who inspects the work and how you report a missed task.
• Contract terms: check the length, the notice needed to cancel, and whether the price can change mid-term.
• References: ask for two or three current clients with a building like yours.

Frequently asked questions