Strip and wax service typically costs $0.30-$0.90 per square foot, with many standard commercial floors landing near $0.55. The strip and wax price per square foot depends on floor area, finish buildup, furniture moving, labor rates, and whether the quote includes multiple finish coats or after-hours work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strip and wax service | $0.30 per sq ft | $0.55 per sq ft | $0.90 per sq ft | Typical commercial vinyl composition tile, or VCT |
| Small-job minimum | $200 | $400 | $750 | Minimum charge may apply to small rooms |
| Floor finish coats | 3 coats | 4 coats | 5-6 coats | Number and product grade affect price |
| Extra furniture handling | $0.05 per sq ft | $0.15 per sq ft | $0.30 per sq ft | Depends on quantity and moving distance |
What VCT Floors Usually Cost to Strip and Wax
For an accessible commercial VCT floor in ordinary condition, budget $0.30-$0.90 per square foot, or about $300-$900 for 1,000 square feet. A commonly quoted midpoint is roughly $0.55 per square foot, equal to $550 for that area. Rates generally include stripping old finish, neutralizing or rinsing the floor, and applying several new coats.
For a straightforward, open floor, $0.45-$0.70 per square foot is a useful planning range. Lower rates are more likely on large, unobstructed sites with limited finish buildup; higher rates can reflect small areas, difficult access, extra coats, or intensive floor preparation.
These figures describe professional service rather than a DIY materials budget. Local quotes can differ by region, contractor minimums, schedule, and the floor’s condition. VCT is a common pricing reference, but terrazzo, stone, rubber, and some resilient floors may need different chemicals, equipment, or procedures. Confirm that the proposed method is approved for the specific surface.
Assumptions: U.S. commercial pricing, standard VCT, normal access, no major repairs, and a typical four-coat finish application.
How Stripping, Finish, and Labor Shape the Quote
A contractor’s price combines chemical and finish supplies, labor, floor equipment, setup, and business overhead. The estimate should specify what work is included; a low per-square-foot rate may not cover furniture moving, edge work, disposal, or extra finish coats.
| Quote component | Typical allowance | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor and floor preparation | $0.15-$0.40 per sq ft | Scraping, edges, buildup, obstacles | Area or $35-$75 per worker-hour |
| Stripper, neutralizer, and finish | $0.08-$0.25 per sq ft | Product grade, number of coats, soil | Area or included in rate |
| Equipment and setup | $0.03-$0.12 per sq ft | Machine needs, travel, site access | Job charge or area |
| Furniture handling | $0.05-$0.30 per sq ft | Desk density, contents, moving distance | Area or hourly labor |
| Disposal and overhead | $0.02-$0.10 per sq ft | Waste rules, insurance, scheduling | Included or separate fee |
Line items vary: some contractors fold supplies, equipment, and overhead into one rate. Labor often accounts for the largest share because stripping is more time-intensive than routine cleaning. A simple estimate uses , then adds supplies and any stated minimums or fees.
Compare the written scope, not just the quoted rate. Check the square footage measured, coat count, included furniture work, and whether the contractor will rinse or neutralize the floor before applying finish. Ask whether tax or a small-job minimum is additional.
How Square Footage and Finish Buildup Change Pricing
Area affects both the total and the rate. Larger open floors usually spread travel, setup, and equipment costs over more square feet, while a single 300-square-foot room may be subject to a $200-$750 minimum. A 5,000-square-foot open floor may receive a lower per-foot rate than several small rooms totaling the same area.
Existing finish buildup is another important variable. A floor with four or fewer manageable coats may fit standard pricing; thick, dark, or uneven buildup can require slower stripping, repeat chemical applications, and additional rinsing. That can add roughly $0.10-$0.35 per square foot. Deep scratches, adhesive, or damaged tile may require separate repair work rather than additional stripping alone.
Finish count changes both material use and labor. Three coats can reduce the quote by about $0.03-$0.10 per square foot compared with a five-coat application, depending on product and drying time. More coats are not automatically appropriate; the floor manufacturer’s recommendations, expected traffic, and maintenance plan matter.
Ask the estimator to identify the condition or specification driving any premium. A useful site assessment records total square footage, finish condition, room layout, furniture, access to water and power, and any areas that should be excluded.
Labor Hours Matter More on Small or Crowded Floors
For a clear 1,000-square-foot floor, a small crew may need about 6-10 labor hours across stripping, rinsing, applying finish, and setup. A crowded layout or stubborn finish can extend the work to 10-16 hours. The elapsed time may be longer because each coat needs suitable drying time and the area must remain clear.
Commercial floor-care labor often works out to approximately $35-$75 per worker-hour before business overhead and supplies. Rates vary with local wages, evening access, insurance, and whether the crew must work around occupants. A two-person crew completing a job in 5-8 hours represents 10-16 combined labor hours; quoted project pricing may not be a simple hourly total.
Night or weekend work can add about 10%-30% when a building requires off-hours access or a compressed schedule. Not every contractor charges a premium, so the quote should state whether the rate covers the requested work window. Coordinating an empty room or closing an entire area can reduce interruptions and make the crew more efficient.
Furniture, room access, and drying windows can matter as much as floor area. Confirm who moves desks and chairs, whether contents must be removed, and when foot traffic can safely resume. Ask how long each area will be unavailable.
Three VCT Job Sizes With Realistic Price Ranges
These examples show how a similar per-square-foot service can produce very different totals. They assume standard VCT, ordinary access, professional labor, and a new finish application; local labor rates and site conditions can shift each estimate.
| Job scenario | Scope and labor | Rate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office, 600 sq ft | Four coats, light furniture; 6-9 labor hours | $0.60-$1.10 per sq ft | $360-$660, subject to minimum |
| Open school corridor, 2,500 sq ft | Five coats, moderate buildup; 16-24 labor hours | $0.40-$0.75 per sq ft | $1,000-$1,875 |
| Retail floor, 8,000 sq ft | Four coats, mostly clear access; 40-60 labor hours | $0.30-$0.55 per sq ft | $2,400-$4,400 |
The small office carries a higher effective rate because setup and travel are spread across fewer square feet. If its calculated price falls below the contractor’s minimum, the actual charge may be higher than the table total. The larger retail floor benefits from scale, but night work, aisles filled with fixtures, or heavy buildup could raise the rate beyond the shown range.
Use these examples as quote checks, not fixed national prices. A credible proposal should explain the area measured, finish count, condition allowance, and any minimum charge. For unusually dirty floors, ask whether the contractor can inspect a test area before finalizing the price.
Regional Rates Rise With Labor and Access Costs
Contractor pricing may run 10%-25% below the national midpoint in lower-cost rural markets, while major metropolitan areas can be 10%-30% higher. A $0.55-per-square-foot baseline might therefore translate to roughly $0.40-$0.50 in a lower-cost market or $0.60-$0.75 in a high-cost city, before unusual site conditions.
Those comparisons are directional, not a guaranteed regional price list. Dense downtown buildings can add loading, parking, security, elevator, and after-hours coordination charges. Rural jobs may have lower labor rates but higher travel fees or minimums if the contractor is far away. Competition, local wage levels, and building access also affect bids.
Get quotes from providers familiar with the local building type and access rules. When comparing prices, use the same floor area, coat count, furniture scope, and work schedule. Ask if travel, parking, or a minimum service charge is included so the apparent regional difference is not just a difference in quote scope.
Extra Coats, Furniture Moving, and Floor Repairs Add Up
Common extras include moving and resetting furniture, scraping adhesive or gum, cleaning edges, applying additional finish, and repairing damaged tiles. Furniture handling may add $0.05-$0.30 per square foot, or be billed hourly when the amount is hard to estimate. Heavy desks, stocked shelves, and equipment typically require more labor than chairs in an open room.
Extra finish coats can add about $0.03-$0.10 per square foot per coat, depending on product and labor. Spot scraping or heavy edge work may add $50-$250 on a small job or a larger site-specific charge. Replacement tile and adhesive repairs are usually quoted separately because material availability and the affected area vary widely.
Some providers charge $50-$150 for a site visit or diagnostic assessment, but may credit it toward the work. Rush scheduling or overnight completion can add 10%-30%. Confirm these charges before approving the work, and check whether the estimate includes disposal and final cleanup.
Separate necessary restoration from optional upgrades. Request a written price for each extra, including a per-foot or hourly basis where possible. That makes it easier to approve repairs that protect the floor while declining tasks that do not address the stated condition.
How to Lower a Strip-and-Wax Quote Without Cutting Corners
Clear furniture and personal items before the crew arrives if the contractor permits it. This can reduce handling time and avoid charges for moving contents. Grouping multiple rooms or nearby locations into one scheduled visit may also reduce setup and travel costs, particularly when each room would otherwise trigger a minimum.
Keep the scope tied to floor condition. Ask whether the floor needs a full strip or whether a less intensive scrub-and-recoat is appropriate. A scrub-and-recoat commonly costs about $0.15-$0.40 per square foot, compared with $0.30-$0.90 for full stripping and waxing, but it is not suitable for heavy buildup, poor adhesion, or floors that need complete finish removal.
Compare at least three itemized quotes when practical. Provide each contractor with the same measurements, photographs, access details, furniture plan, and requested finish coats. Ask for the price of standard service separately from extra coats, repairs, weekend work, and rush scheduling. A very low bid may omit preparation or use a different coat count.
The safest savings come from reducing avoidable labor and matching the service to the floor’s actual condition. Do not cut neutralizing, drying, or preparation steps simply to meet a lower price; inadequate preparation can cause finish problems and make a future service more expensive.