How Ampthill Vehicle Services transformed a worn, oil-stained garage floor with Ecotile

The back story

Ampthill Vehicle Services, a busy automotive repair and MOT centre in Bedfordshire, was struggling with an old, worn and oil-stained concrete floor. The hard concrete surface was uncomfortable for technicians to stand on all day, and didn’t reflect the high standards that the garage is known for. Managing Director Dan Lett wanted a more professional look for his garage floor to impress customers and improve working conditions for his team. In fact, he had even scheduled a fresh coat of floor paint for the following week. However, Dan knew from experience that paint wears out quickly under heavy use – repainting would only be a short-term fix, not a lasting solution.

Everything changed when Dan visited a neighbouring workshop on the Ampthill industrial estate and noticed their flooring. Instead of bare concrete or peeling paint, they had a robust Ecotile garage floor that looked smart and felt comfortable underfoot. Seeing this in action, Dan realised there was a better alternative for his own garage. He got in touch with the Ecotile team to explore how the same solution could work for Ampthill Vehicle Services.

Bespoke design that impresses customers

From Dan’s initial call, the Ecotile team moved quickly to assess Ampthill Vehicle Services’ needs. We discussed his goals for the new floor, took measurements of the 110 m² area spanning the reception and two service bays, and provided a quote. Dan’s first thought was to keep things simple with a single colour throughout. But after understanding the garage layout, we suggested an improved design.

Our proposed layout used blue tiles to mark a walkway from the entrance to the reception area and to highlight the areas under the two vehicle ramps in the service bays. This layout provided striking visual contrast, helping guide customers safely to the reception and clearly outlining the lift zones. Dan approved the design, eager to see his dreary concrete floor transformed into a vibrant, professional-looking surface.

Rapid installation with zero downtime

Once the custom design was agreed, Ampthill Vehicle Services were impressed at how quickly the upgrade took place. After the quick quote and design phase, our experienced installation team scheduled the work at a convenient time for Dan. In fact, our crew installed the entire 110 m² of flooring in just 5 hours. The interlocking floor tiles were simply laid directly over the existing surface, accommodating the uneven spots with ease.

By completing the installation in a single day, we ensured there was minimal disruption to the business. Dan didn’t have to shut down his workshop at all. There was no messy removal of the old floor, no fumes or lengthy curing time as with epoxy or paint. The floor was ready for immediate use.

The very same day, the AVS technicians were working on a brand-new floor. In comparison, repainting the floor would have meant waiting overnight (or longer) for the paint to dry and still not achieve the durability that Ecotile provides.

A safer, more comfortable workspace

The transformation of the garage was instant. What was once a patchy, cold concrete floor is now a sleak, durable surface in black and blue that gives the workshop a professional feel. Customers walking into the reception immediately notice the improvement. The blue tile walkway naturally guides them to the front desk, signalling that Ampthill Vehicle Services invests in quality and cares about their experience.

Beyond aesthetics, the benefits for Dan’s team have been significant. The 7mm thick Ecotile floor provides an insulating layer over the concrete, making the working environment warmer and more comfortable, especially important in winter. The textured surface is anti-slip and far more forgiving underfoot than hard concrete, which reduces fatigue for the mechanics who are on their feet all day.

Instead of having to repaint the floor every year to keep the garage presentable, Dan now has a long-lasting flooring solution that can withstand the daily wear from vehicles and tools. This means no more worries about peeling paint, dusty concrete, or frequent touch-ups. The Ecotile floor will keep looking great for years to come.

Dan Lett, Managing Director at Ampthill Vehicle Services, couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

“I was very impressed with Ecotile as a business, from the salespeople to the installers – it’s been a great experience and they’re a fantastic company to work with” says Dan. “We love the look of our new garage floor. It really elevates the whole place. And my team are delighted with how much better it feels underfoot compared to the bare concrete we had before!”

By choosing Ecotile instead of yet another coat of paint, Ampthill Vehicle Services now enjoys a smart, safe and comfortable workshop that will serve them well into the future. Dan and his team can focus on delighting their customers and solving automotive issues without having to worry about the state of their flooring again.