Below, you’ll find several questions you should ask your installer and/or retailer before hiring them to install your flooring.
Question Number One : What type of flooring is best for my home?
What type of flooring is best for you depends on a number of factors, including what kind of subfloor your home has, how much foot traffic you have in your home, whether you have pets or young children, and what your budget is.
Different types of flooring can display very different design and performance characteristics, and choosing the right material for your home and lifestyle can make all the difference in the lifespan of your flooring. An experienced dealer or installer can help you select the best option by asking lots of questions, uncovering your unique needs.
Question Number Two: Do you charge for an in-home estimate?
It’s important to receive an in-home estimate to determine what type of flooring you can and should install. During the appointment, your home will also be measured to determine the total amount of flooring you’ll need to purchase. Ask your dealer/installer if they provide free estimates or if not, if the estimate fee will apply toward the total cost of the job.
Question Number Three: Are you insured and certified as a flooring installer?
You may be tempted to skip the question to save a few bucks on your installation price. However, it’s critical to make sure the installer you select to work on your home is certified.
This will ensure that proper guidelines are followed. Otherwise, it can lead to issues with your flooring down the road. And if problems do occur, the warranty for your flooring could be voided if the manufacturer determines that an uncertified installer did your flooring.
Also, ask if your installer is insured and will assume liability should any unrelated damage occur while work is performed on your property. For example, someone could accidentally burst a pipe, causing a flood, or the equipment could catch on fire, in which case, your installer should have insurance to cover it.
Question Number Four: Can you provide references or testimonials?
Hiring a company with lots of satisfied customers will help you to feel much more confident in your decision to install new flooring. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and actually check them. Testimonials are great, but if they appear on the company’s website, they are easy to be faked.
Instead, opt for public sites like Yelp and Angie’s List to get real people’s feedback on the previous work your potential installer has done.
Question Number Five: Will the moisture values in my home affect my hardwood?
If you’re planning to have hardwood floors installed, it’s important to consider the level of moisture in your home/area because excessive moisture can cause wood to warp, cup, or curve. Ask your installer if there’s a moisture issue, how they plan to deal with it and if there are better flooring options for your home that aren’t affected by moisture.
Question Number Six: How do you handle issues with the subfloor?
Properly preparing your subfloor is a critical factor in a successful flooring installation, unless you choose a type of flooring that floats above your current flooring. If you are installing hardwood floors, a damaged subfloor will need to be repaired prior to a new installation. Ask your installer if they have the ability to repair this kind of damage before beginning a new installation.
Question Number Seven: What is under warranty?
Your installer should have a warranty, but your manufacturer should also have one. It’s important to know the differences and what’s covered under each so that you know who to contact should you experience any issues with your flooring in the future.
Question Number Eight: Can you walk me through the installation process?
Having a clear understanding of the installation process and your installer’s expectations before your installation reduces confusion and limits unexpected charges at the end of the project. Key questions to ask include:
- How long will the job take to complete?
- What are the total costs involved?
- Can you ensure that the installation will leave my home in good shape when you are finished?
- Will you dispose of the old flooring? If so, is this free or an extra charge?
- Who is responsible for moving the furniture before the installation?
- Are you able to install around large appliances, or do I need to call an electrician?
Question Number Nine: Who will be in your home and who will supervise the project?
It’s important to know who will be working on your property. You’ll also want to find out a bit about the person who will be in charge and have their contact information just in case something goes wrong while they are offsite.
Ask the Right Questions Before You Hire Someone
By asking the right questions, you are much more likely to hire a reputable and capable installer to put in your flooring. You’ll also be a lot less likely to have major issues arise, which can cost you big time in the end.
Want a flooring installer with more than three decades of experience? Contact us at 770-242-7690 to schedule an in-home estimate today.
