Commercial Floor Strip and Wax Cost: Planning Ranges

Maintenance scrub and recoat: confirm existing finish compatibility and whether only the top coats need attention. This is not the same scope as a full strip.

Full strip and finish: define removal work, edges, finish system, coats and required drying windows after the floor is assessed.

Heavy buildup or restoration: identify extra removal passes, furniture movement and any repair work excluded from the cleaning quote.

Always confirm whether price includes furniture moving, materials, disposal of strip slurry, and dry/cure time restrictions.

Floor condition: layers of old finish, adhesive residue, and embedded dirt require more labor and chemistry.

Square footage and layout: small fragmented rooms cost more per foot than open retail aisles due to setup time.

Number of finish coats: high-gloss or high-traffic specs may call for three to five coats vs two.

After-hours and security: work when the building is empty may carry premium labor; alarm access adds coordination time.

Furniture and fixtures: moving chairs is often included lightly; desks, racks, and retail fixtures may be extra or owner responsibility.

VCT (vinyl composition tile) is the most common strip-and-wax surface in schools, clinics, and back-office areas.

LVT and luxury vinyl may not use traditional strip programs; manufacturers often specify scrub and recoat or specialized cleaners. Using VCT methods on LVT can damage material.

Polished concrete and terrazzo use different refinishing processes not covered by classic strip and wax pricing.

Frequency affects cost per year: annual strip in main aisles plus quarterly scrub-and-recoat in some buildings costs less long term than waiting until floors are black with buildup.

Specify square footage by zone, desired sheen, number of coats, and furniture expectations. Ask each vendor to note strip chemistry and dry time before reopening.

Request before photos and a written schedule if phasing across wings. Compare warranty or callback period for scuff and powdering issues.

For multi-site portfolios, record each floor’s area, material and condition before requesting comparable scopes. Imperial Cleaning provides written, scope-based quotes after assessment.