Starting from zero
New to coatings, and maybe to running a business.
- Learn first
- Set up, Price and Install
- First tool
- Startup cost calculator
- Watch out for
- Buying equipment before there are jobs
See your path
The school
Learning paths
Four starting points, one school. Pick the path that sounds like you: each one puts the programs, the Seven Systems and the free tools in the order you need them, with the costs and the mistakes to avoid.
Installers going independent
You install floors for someone else and want your own customers.
- Learn first
- Price, Quote, Sell and Protect
- First tool
- Job pricing calculator
- Watch out for
- Quoting your old day rate
See your path
Contractors adding coatings
You run a painting, concrete or handyman business and want to add floors.
- Learn first
- Install and Protect, then Price
- First tool
- License requirements by state
- Watch out for
- Treating a floor coating like paint
See your path
First-year owners
You run coating jobs and you’re busy, but unsure the jobs are paying.
- Learn first
- Price, Protect and Grow
- First tool
- Lead cost calculator
- Watch out for
- Reading revenue as profit
See your path
Side by side
The four paths compared
Same school, same Seven Systems, different order.
| Path | You are | Learn first | First tool | Common trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting from zero | New to coatings, and maybe to running a business. | Set up, Price and Install | Startup cost calculator | Buying equipment before there are jobs |
| Installers going independent | You install floors for someone else and want your own customers. | Price, Quote, Sell and Protect | Job pricing calculator | Quoting your old day rate |
| Contractors adding coatings | You run a painting, concrete or handyman business and want to add floors. | Install and Protect, then Price | License requirements by state | Treating a floor coating like paint |
| First-year owners | You run coating jobs and you’re busy, but unsure the jobs are paying. | Price, Protect and Grow | Lead cost calculator | Reading revenue as profit |
Not sure which?
Three questions
- Have you installed a coating floor for pay? No: starting from zero, or contractors adding coatings if you already run a contracting business.
- Were those jobs your own customers? No, you worked for someone else: installers going independent.
- Are you running your own coating jobs now? Yes: first-year owners, even if it's been a little longer than a year.
Every path uses the same programs
- The Epoxy Playbook: full installations recorded start to finish, plus the business side
- A two-day hands-on class on real slabs, after the recordings
- A consultation: a planning call with someone who runs a coating company
- Free tools and guides
Where should I start?
Start from what you’re missing. If you need the numbers, start with the free startup cost calculator. If you need to learn the installation and the business, start with The Epoxy Playbook. If you want to talk your plan through, book a consultation. The learning paths show where to start for your situation.
Do I need experience to start?
No. The startup cost calculator and the start-a-business guide assume none. You watch every step of the installation on video in The Epoxy Playbook first, so you arrive at the hands-on class knowing what comes next and spend class time on the slab.
I already install floors. Is the Playbook for me?
Yes, if you want to run your own jobs or take a class. The recordings show every step of complete installations, so you can check your method against them, and the business side covers the part an installer’s day doesn’t: pricing, quoting, selling and warranties. It’s also required before a hands-on class.
Do I need the Playbook before a hands-on class?
Yes, it’s required. You learn every step from the recordings first, so your two days on the slab go to doing the work rather than watching demonstrations.
Every path starts here
Start with the numbers
Grinder rent or buy, dust extractor, tools, insurance, training and first materials, in one estimate.