Flooring in a home can last for decades, so it’s crucial to make sure it looks amazing and is installed correctly. An improper installation can lead to headache after headache as problems appear and can be expensive to fix. Before hiring a flooring contractor, there are a few questions to ask. Be sure to ask all of them, ask any follow-up questions as needed, and listen to the answers carefully to determine if the flooring contractor is the right one for the project.
How Much Experience Does the Company Have?
Experts in flooring have years of experience, and this can mean the difference between a stunning new floor and one that has tons of minor imperfections or issues. Check the company’s history to learn how long they’ve been in business and ask who will be handling the installation. It’s recommended to work with a company that has their own employees handle the installation, as they will have proper training and experience. Skip a company that may say they have experience, but that uses subcontractors that may or may not be able to handle the job.
What Materials are Offered, and How are they Stored?
A flooring contractor should only work with the best materials possible to prevent common issues with flooring. Low-quality flooring can end up breaking down within just a few years, can show stains, may have imperfections, or could have other problems that should be avoided. Check on how the materials are stored, too. The climate can impact whether the flooring is flat or if it bulges and may warp or crack once it’s installed. Look for a company that has a climate-controlled warehouse to store the flooring, keeping it in great shape until it’s used.
Is There a Warranty for Flooring and Craftsmanship?
Despite years of experience and high-quality materials, things can still go wrong. Someone new to the company may make a mistake while installing the flooring, or the materials used may be recalled because the factory made a mistake. If anything like this happens, the warranty can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Check to see what the warranty covers and how long it lasts to make sure it will cover the most common manufacturer or installation defects.
Is There a Showroom Available to See Samples?
Looking at flooring online or in a sample book just isn’t enough. It’s important to see the flooring in person, check how it looks in different lighting, and make sure it’s going to be the right option for the house. It’s crucial to work with a company that has a large showroom full of samples to view. Take time to go to the showroom to see potential options in person before making any decision. The workers at the showroom can also answer any questions the homeowner might have about the materials or installation to aid in making a decision.
What is Included in the Estimate?
Estimates can vary from contractor to contractor. Unscrupulous contractors will provide a low estimate to start, but it won’t include everything needed to do the job, so the overall cost will rise significantly before the job is done. Instead, when getting an estimate, find out what is included and what costs could potentially change during the installation.
Expert contractors will be able to provide an estimate that is close to or the same as the final cost, minimizing the potential for any surprises when the job is done. Changes that are common are ones like pulling up the old flooring and finding out repairs are needed before the new floors can be installed. It’s important to get any changes to the estimate in writing and for the contractor to check with the homeowner before doing additional work not already in the estimate.
What Else to Do Before Hiring a Contractor
Along with asking all of these questions and considering the answers carefully, there are a few other things homeowners can do to make sure they work with the right contractor. Homeowners should take their time through this process to make sure they don’t miss anything crucial and to ensure they have everything set up for a smoother installation.
Choose the Flooring
Spend some time looking at samples and deciding which flooring to use. It’s a good idea to view a showroom to pick out the exact flooring that will be used in the home. An estimate will be more accurate when the contractor knows what type of flooring will be used.
Discuss the Installation
Homeowners may want to discuss the installation process with the contractor to get a better understanding of what it will involve and how long it might take. Homeowners will want to know if they need to move belongings and furniture or if the company will handle that.
Get an Estimate
An estimate is needed to determine the total cost of the new flooring installation. The final cost shouldn’t be far from the estimated cost, barring any potential issues like damaged subflooring. Homeowners should ask the contractor any questions they might have about the estimate and read through it carefully to see what’s included.
Check Timeline for Completion
The timeline for completion can depend on whether the company has enough flooring in stock or if it will need to be ordered. It can also vary based on how many contractors will be working on the flooring, how much flooring needs to be installed, and other details. When asking about the timeline, find out if there is anything that could make the installation take longer than expected.
Finding the right contractor is crucial when purchasing new flooring and having it installed. The experts have the experience and training needed to do a fantastic job and will offer only high-quality materials to make sure the flooring will last. If you’re planning on having new flooring installed in your home, contact Armstrong-Citywide, Inc. now to ask these questions and learn more about why they might be a fantastic company for the job.
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