When you’ve ordered your awesome wood floor (perhaps Tasmania), then comes the big question. How do you hire a quality flooring installer?
Whether you’ve purchased flooring from us or not, we have some quick tips to survive the process and hire the best flooring installer in your area.
Check reference resources.
There are several resources out there to get you started.
We recommend visiting the website of NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association). On their Find a Professional page, you can access their database to search for certified installers in your area.
People like to give reviews and that doesn’t end with a favorite Thai restaurant, the greatest pair of Toms’s shoes, or Dickie’s work pants.
Three top review sites we recommend are:
– Angie’s List
– Houzz
– Home Advisor
If possible, we recommend finding two to three solid professionals. Once you have some good leads, it’s time to ask good questions.
1) What is your experience with unfinished and prefinished floors?
You want your contractor to have experience with the type of flooring you wish to have installed.
If the contractor has experience with both types of flooring, that indicates a greater skill level, which will likely result in a better installation.
2) What type of installations have you done (e.g. floating, nailed, glued)?
You want the contractor to have experience with the particular type of installation you require for your floor.
3) What tests will you do prior to the installation?
A professional installer should test the humidity and subfloor moisture on the job site.
If the floor is going to be installed over concrete, the installer should have it tested to determine the best method of installation.
A professional knows that taking his or her time to check all the variables before swinging a hammer is time well spent.
5) What is your general construction experience?
Most likely, a professional installer will have some general construction experience.
Ask about service after the sale.
Have you ever had an issue with any of your installations? Have you ever had to return and perform additional work?
Most experienced quality contractors have run into an unexpected problem. Knowing how they responded and what kind of support they can offer after installation can make all the difference.
Ask for exceptions.
What, if any, concerns or pain points do you predict in the installation of my floor?
All job sites are different. Some are easier than others. Talking through the different issues that may arise in your installation will help give you a better understanding of what to expect.
You should love your floor.
We love wood floors. We know you will too, with a good installation. Whether you buy from us or from someone else, we’d love to be a resource for you. The more you know ahead of time, the more confident you can be in this process.
We really enjoy talking floors, so grab a cup of coffee, tea, or kombucha and give us a call. We’re happy to help you find your perfect floor. Find our contact info here.