- Register as a sole proprietor or incorporate with BC Registries (~$40–$380)
- File your Richmond business licence ($150–$350/yr)
- Get general liability insurance
- Set your rates ($6–$12/sq ft installed — a typical two-car garage runs $2,500–$5,000)
- Build a brand, website, and online booking
- Set up card payments and simple bookkeeping
- Launch a Google Business Profile focused on Richmond
Richmond's market has a shape of its own, and a epoxy flooring business here works differently than it would one city over. Richmond's oversized garages are the epoxy sweet spot — two and three-car floors, workshop spaces, and owners who upgrade properties on principle. Bigger slabs mean bigger tickets and better day rates.
Why Richmond specifically
Where the work is: Ask for same-street referrals at handoff; estate neighbourhoods copy each other's upgrades. Neighbourhoods like Steveston, Terra Nova, Broadmoor each have their own client base — your Google Business Profile and local pages should name them.
What it costs to start in Richmond
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| BC business registration (sole prop) | ~$40 |
| Name request fee | ~$30 |
| Richmond business licence | $150–$350/yr |
| General liability insurance | $500–$1,200/yr |
| Equipment & supplies | $3,000–$7,000 (grinder, vacuum, mixers, spike shoes, materials float) |
| Branding, website & booking setup | $0 DIY – $3,000+ agency |
Government fees change — confirm current amounts with BC Registries and the City of Richmond. Richmond's business licence fees run a little higher than neighbouring cities ($150–$350/yr depending on category) — Prontco prepares and files the application as part of every launch.
What you can earn
Expect to charge $6–$12/sq ft installed — a typical two-car garage runs $2,500–$5,000 in this market. Solo operators who stay booked commonly reach $8,000–$16,000+ per month solo at 2–3 garages a week; the spread comes down to niche, area, and whether you look like a business worth premium rates. No certification required; surface-prep skill is the moat.
Let's name it
Here's the worry that stalls more Richmond launches than money ever does. “What if a floor peels and I'm on the hook for a redo?” Moisture testing, documented prep, a workmanship warranty with clear exclusions, and insurance keep one bad slab from sinking you — every Prontco launch ships with the agreement written right.
Talk it through on a free callTrue Cost of Launching Calculator
Before you quote your first job in Richmond, work out what launching actually costs you — then price so the work covers it. Real 2026 Canadian rates, every source listed.
Run the numbers →Your first clients in Richmond — the epoxy flooring playbook
- Quote three-car and workshop floors as your anchor product — Richmond has the square footage.
- Upsell cabinetry and slat-wall partnerships for full garage makeovers.
- Ask for same-street referrals at handoff; estate neighbourhoods copy each other's upgrades.
The shortcut
You can do all of this yourself over a few weeks of evenings. Or Prontco does the whole thing in about 10 business days — registration, your Richmond licence filing, brand, website with booking, payments, accounting setup, and 30 days of launch support. You own every account. From $997.
Related guides
How to start a epoxy flooring business in BC · How to start a business in Richmond · The complete BC startup guide · Free calculators & checklists