“Prep included” is not enough information to compare coating quotes. Preparation should describe the condition being corrected and the method that will leave the substrate suitable for the exact product system.
Ask What the Prep Is Supposed to Accomplish
Cleaning mildew is different from removing an old sealer. Removing chalk is different from opening dense concrete. Grinding a slab is different from repairing spalls. A proposal is stronger when the preparation step is tied to a known condition rather than presented as a generic ritual.
Common Quote Language—and the Follow-Up Question
| Quote says | Ask |
|---|---|
| Pressure wash | What cleaner is used for mildew, oil, salts or chalk, and what must be removed? |
| Etch concrete | Is the concrete bare and absorptive, or is there an old sealer/coating that must be removed first? |
| Grind as needed | Which areas, what profile is required, and how will dust be removed? |
| Repair cracks | Which cracks, with what material, and are moving joints being treated differently? |
| Prime where needed | What triggers primer, and what exact primer/conditioner will be used? |
| Clean roof | How are seams, fasteners, rust, wet areas, adhesion and existing coatings evaluated? |
More Aggressive Is Not Automatically Better
ICRI’s surface-preparation framework matches methods and resulting surface profile to the substrate and protective system. That is a better model than assuming grinding is always superior to etching or that maximum pressure is always better cleaning. The goal is the right prepared surface for the product being installed.
Florida Adds Moisture and Weather Questions
After washing, chemical treatment or wet grinding, the surface still has to meet the coating’s moisture and environmental requirements. A quote should not assume “looks dry” means “ready to coat.” Concrete, masonry, pavers and roofing can retain water while the visible face appears dry.
The Comparison Rule
Before comparing price, rewrite each bid as a sequence: diagnose → clean/remove contamination → remove unsound or incompatible material → repair → create required profile → verify dryness/adhesion → prime → coat. Missing steps may be intentional and correct, but the contractor should be able to explain why.