Quick Answer: Floor stripping and waxing costs $0.50-$1.00 per square foot in Chicago. Buffing costs $0.05-$0.15 per square foot. Most floors need stripping 1-2 times per year with monthly buffing in between.
### Why Do Floors Need Regular Maintenance?
TL;DR: Dirt and grit act like sandpaper on floor finishes. Foot traffic wears down wax. Without regular maintenance, floors become dull, scratched, and damaged. Proper care extends floor life by 3-5 years.
VCT and hard floors take daily abuse. Foot traffic. Rolling chairs. Equipment. Salt in Chicago winters. Without maintenance, finishes wear through to the tile. Replacement costs $3-$5 per square foot. Regular maintenance costs a fraction of that.
### What Floor Care Services Do We Offer?
TL;DR: Floor stripping and waxing for VCT and vinyl. Hardwood floor refinishing. Concrete polishing and sealing. Buffing and spray buffing. Concrete floor care. Maintenance between deep services.
Stripping and Waxing
Complete removal of old wax and finish. Application of new wax coats. Most floors need 4-6 coats. Restores shine and protection.
Buffing and Spray Buffing
Buffing removes scuffs and restores shine between full waxes. Spray buffing adds a thin wax layer for added protection. Monthly or quarterly service.
Hardwood Floor Care
Screening and recoating for hardwood floors. Deep cleaning. Floor refinishing when needed. Hardwood requires different care than VCT.
Concrete Floor Care
Concrete polishing and sealing. Stain removal. Epoxy coating maintenance. Industrial concrete needs specialized care.
### How Often Should Floors Be Maintained?
TL;DR: High-traffic areas need stripping 2x per year with monthly buffing. Medium-traffic areas need stripping 1x per year with quarterly buffing. Low-traffic areas need stripping annually.
| Area | Stripping/Waxing | Buffing |
|
|
--|
|
| Lobbies/entrances | 2x/year | Monthly |
| Hallways | 2x/year | Every 1-2 months |
| General offices | 1x/year | Quarterly |
| Low-traffic areas | Annually | As needed |
### How Much Does Floor Care Cost?
TL;DR: Stripping and waxing costs $0.50-$1.00 per square foot. Buffing costs $0.05-$0.15 per square foot. A 5,000 sq ft floor costs $2,500-$5,000 to strip and wax.
| Service | Cost | Frequency |
|
|
|
--|
| Strip and wax (VCT) | $0.50-$1.00/sq ft | 1-2x/year |
| Buffing | $0.05-$0.15/sq ft | Monthly-quarterly |
| Hardwood recoating | $0.75-$1.50/sq ft | Annually |
| Concrete polishing | $1.00-$3.00/sq ft | As needed |
### How Long Does Floor Service Take?
TL;DR: A 5,000 sq ft floor takes 4-6 hours to strip and wax. Wax needs 24 hours to cure before traffic. We work evenings and weekends to minimize disruption.
| Size | Service Time | Cure Time |
|
|
--|
--|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1-2 hours | 8-12 hours |
| 5,000 sq ft | 4-6 hours | 12-24 hours |
| 10,000 sq ft | 8-12 hours | 24 hours |
| 25,000+ sq ft | Full day+ | 24-48 hours |
### Can You Work After Hours?
TL;DR: Yes. We typically work evenings and weekends for floor care. This allows 24 hours curing time without disrupting your business. No need to close during the day.
After-Hours Service:
- Start at 5 PM or later
- Work through the night
- Floors ready by morning
- Weekend service available
### Do You Provide Floor Maintenance Programs?
TL;DR: Yes. We set up regular buffing schedules between stripping. Monthly or quarterly buffing extends the time between full waxes and maintains appearance year-round.
Maintenance Program Benefits:
- Regular buffing removes scuffs
- Maintains shine between waxes
- Extends time between full stripping
- Consistent appearance year-round
- Predictable budgeting
### What About Chicago Winters and Salt?
TL;DR: Salt destroys floor finishes. We recommend quarterly service for entrance areas during winter (November-March). Salt removal treatment protects finishes.
Winter Floor Care:
- More frequent buffing for entrances
- Salt-neutralizing pre-treatment
- Extra coats of wax on high-traffic paths
- Regular monitoring of finish wear
### Why Choose Us for Floor Care?
TL;DR: We have commercial floor equipment (not residential), experienced technicians, flexible scheduling, and maintenance programs. Floor care is our specialty.
Equipment:
- Commercial-grade buffers and scrubbers
- Truck-mounted extraction for faster service
- Professional-grade wax and finish products
Experience:
- VCT, vinyl, hardwood, concrete
- Chicago buildings since 2019
- High-rise and industrial experience
Scheduling:
- After-hours service
- Weekend availability
- Flexible around your operations
Need floor care in Chicago? Get a free quote or call 630-349-2862. Stripping, waxing, buffing, hardwood care.