Before you hire anyone, always ask for a visit in person: a fixed quote given over the phone without seeing the floor is the first warning sign. Ask what treatment they propose and why, what system they use to control the dust, how many grit passes are included and what guarantee they give. A serious quote itemises separate lines, not a single figure. In Mallorca the market ranges in 2026 run from €10 to €25/m² on marble and from €10 to €20/m² on terrazzo: well below that, something is missing.
Polishing a floor is one of those jobs where the result is seen immediately, but the mistake is visible for years.
And it's a sector with very little barrier to entry: a second-hand machine and a van are all it takes to present yourself as a floor polishing company in Mallorca. That's why it's important to know what questions to ask. What follows is what we ourselves would ask if we had to hire someone else.
What should you look at before hiring a floor polishing service?
Before hiring, five things need checking: that the company comes to see the floor in person, that it identifies the material correctly, that it explains what treatment it proposes and why, that it gives you a detailed written quote, and that it has current public liability insurance. If any one fails, do not go on.
- In-person visit. Nobody can quote for polishing without seeing the real condition of the floor.
- Material identification. Marble, terrazzo, granite, concrete, and clay are not treated the same.
- Reasoned proposal. It should tell you why polishing and not buffing, or the other way round.
- Written quote. With items, deadlines and conditions.
- Liability insurance. You ask for it and they show it, no fuss.
- Verifiable references. Jobs similar to yours, on the island.
- Accreditation on site. If the work is within a construction project, the Law 32/2006 regulating subcontracting in the construction sector requires the company to be listed on the Register of Accredited Companies.
That last point only applies to construction projects, not to a finished private home. But if you're renovating, your construction company will require it anyway.
What questions should you ask on the quoting visit?
- What material is my floor made of and how much tread depth is left? A professional identifies it on the spot.
- Polishing, buffing, crystallisation or vitrification, and why? The answer should be reasoned, not a catalogue.
- How many grit passes does the job include? A serious polish takes 4 to 7 steps, from grinding to finish.
- How do you control dust: wet or dry with vacuuming?
- How many days and on what dates?
- Can I stay home?
- What happens if a broken piece or a crack appears at the start?
- What guarantee do you offer and what exactly does it cover?
The fourth question is the one that most clearly separates the wheat from the chaff. Polishing dust contains respirable crystalline silica, classified as an occupational carcinogen since the Royal Decree 1154/2020 amended Royal Decree 665/1997, with a limit value of 0.05 mg/m³ since 2022. A company that dry polishes without vacuuming isn't just making your house dirty: it's violating its own prevention regulations. We discuss this in detail in polish the floor without dust.
The third one also speaks volumes. A marble polish that only requires two passes is not polishing: it's buffing with a different name and a different price.
How do you tell a serious quote from an incomplete one?
| Serious quote | Quote to avoid |
|---|---|
| Itemises the square metres measured on the visit | "Approximate" square metres given over the phone |
| States the material of the floor | Does not mention the material |
| States the treatment and the number of passes | Only says "polishing and buffing" |
| Separates labour, product and extras | One single overall figure |
| Gives start and finish dates | "When we can" |
| Makes clear what happens with unforeseen repairs | Does not mention it |
| Includes terms and a guarantee | No terms at all |
| Carries the company tax number, address and tax details | Only a mobile number |
The point about unforeseen repairs is the one that causes the most arguments at the end of a job. A floor can hide hollow pieces or cracks that do not show until the grinding starts. An honest quote says in advance how they will be dealt with and at what price, instead of leaving it to "we'll see".
What signs indicate that the job is going to go wrong?
These are the kinds of situations we encounter when we get a call to fix someone else's polishing:
- A fixed quote without having seen the floor. It's impossible; there's either too much or too little.
- Price well below market value. It usually means fewer grit passes.
- They promise there will be no dust. It doesn't exist. Controlled dust exists.
- They don't ask what finish you want. Matte, satin, and gloss are not the same.
- They propose vitrifying marble. Technically incorrect: marble doesn't handle it well.
- They want to charge everything upfront. A reasonable signal, yes; the whole thing, no.
- They do not give an invoice. Without an invoice, there is no warranty or possible claim.
- They claim the floor will be "as good as new" without having seen it. There are floors that do not get that far, and saying so is part of the trade.
Number 5 is the most revealing of all, because it is not a commercial question but one of knowing the material. Marble is calcareous and takes crystallisation, not vitrification. Anyone who does not know that does not know the trade.
Cleaning company that also polishes, or a professional polisher?
It depends on what you need. For routine buffing maintenance in an office or a shop, a cleaning company with a machine and trained staff will handle it well and usually works out cheaper. For a full polish, a restoration or any work on natural stone, you need a floor polisher by trade.
The difference is in the grinding stage. Buffing is surface work that is learnt relatively quickly. Taking three millimetres off marble and leaving the surface flat and free of waves is another matter: it depends on a steady hand, on reading the material and on knowing when to stop. Grinding done badly leaves disc marks that never come out, and then the fix is to grind even more.
If you're unsure which of the two jobs you need, there are some fairly reliable signs that we'll review in how to know if your floor needs professional polishing.
How much should it cost? Ranges to detect suspicious prices
| Job | Market range in Mallorca | Suspicious below |
|---|---|---|
| Marble polishing | 10-25 €/m² | €8/m² |
| Terrazzo polishing | 10-20 €/m² | €8/m² |
| Buffing only | 6-10 €/m² | 4 €/m² |
| Crystallisation over polishing | +3-6 €/m² | — |
| Vitrification over polishing | +8-15 €/m² | +€5/m² |
| Granite polishing | 15-30 €/m² | 12 €/m² |
A price below the threshold on the right does not automatically mean a scam, but it does mean you have to ask what is being cut back: grit passes, product quality, protection or waste management. The details by material are in how much it costs to polish a marble floor in Mallorca.
It is also worth being wary of the opposite. A quote well above the market with no concrete justification — special stone, impossible access, extensive repairs — makes no sense either.
What kind of guarantee can be requested for floor polishing?
You can and should ask for a guarantee on the workmanship: no disc marks, no waves, no areas with a different degree of shine and no product residue. That is the responsibility of whoever did the work and it shows in the first few days. The consolidated text of the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users protects the private customer against badly performed services, and that is why the invoice is not a formality: it is what lets you make a claim.
What cannot be guaranteed is how long the shine lasts, because it depends on use: a couple in a flat is not the same as an entrance hall with fifty residents and beach sand. A serious professional will give you a realistic range — 12 to 24 months in a home for buffing, 5 to 10 years for vitrification — and will explain what maintenance makes it last longer.
And regarding maintenance products: be wary of anyone trying to sell you an expensive "special" cleaner as part of the deal. A polished floor is maintained with neutral, acid-free soap. Period.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a floor polishing company in Mallorca
Is it normal for a floor polishing company to give a price without seeing the floor?
This is not normal and is the main red flag. The price of polishing depends on the actual condition of the flooring, the thickness of the existing material, any necessary repairs, and access to the property—none of which can be assessed over the phone. A fixed price quoted without a site visit almost always ends up with an additional charge halfway through the job or a finish that falls short of expectations.
How many passes should a well-done floor polishing have?
A complete polishing of marble or terrazzo requires between 4 and 7 passes with different grits, from the initial roughing with coarse diamond to the final polishing before buffing. Reducing these steps speeds up the work and lowers the price, but leaves visible disc marks when light hits it from the side and an uneven shine. Asking about the number of passes is the most direct way to know what you're being quoted.
What insurance should a floor polishing company have?
It must have current public liability insurance, covering damage to the property or to third parties during the work, and be up to date with Social Security for its operatives. If the work is carried out on a construction site, it must also be registered in the Register of Accredited Companies for the construction sector. Asking for a copy of the policy is a normal request and no serious company minds.
Can I request to see previous work before hiring?
Yes, and it's highly recommended to ask for references of similar projects on the island: same materials, same type of property, and a similar age. Before-and-after photos are helpful, but an address of a building or shop where the flooring can be seen in person is much more valuable. A company with experience in Mallorca will have no problem providing you with some.
What do I do if the polishing didn't turn out well?
File a written complaint immediately, including photos and the invoice, describing the specific defect: disc marks, ripples, uneven shine, or product residue. Execution defects are usually noticeable within the first few days and are the responsibility of the person who performed the work. If there is no other solution, a poorly executed polish can be corrected by grinding it down again, although this reduces the material thickness and it's not always possible to do it twice.
When you DON'T need to hire anyone
- If the floor only has accumulated wax. A stripping with a neutral product may be sufficient.
- If it's porcelain stoneware. It's not polished; if there's no lip, there's nothing to be done.
- If you are going to change the pavement in less than a year. Don't invest twice.
- If what bothers you are isolated stains. Sometimes it is a spot treatment, not a whole job.
Do you want to compare with us?
We will come and look at the floor at no cost, tell you what it really needs — even if it is less than you thought — and give you a written quote with the items separated out. Call us on 971 503 936 or write to info@projectessastre.com. We have been in the business for over 50 years as floor polishing company in Palma de Mallorca, with our own equipment and machinery and without subcontracting to anyone. You can see everything included in our professional floor polishing and set it against any other quote you have on the table.
