Installing hardwood floors in your home can make a big difference. But deciding on the right flooring material and coordinating with a team of carpentry professionals can be challenging.
Many flooring companies offer in-home shopping services. Customers book an appointment to meet with a flooring expert at their home to look over a range of wood product samples.
In order to work as a hardwood flooring installer, one must meet certain qualifications. These include physical strength and stamina, practical skills, accuracy, detail orientation, and customer service skills. It is also a good idea to have training at a vocational school or an apprenticeship in the field.
Hardwood floor installers provide a variety of high-quality flooring services to clients. They perform tasks such as installing baseboards, ensuring the structural integrity of the floors, and finishing the floor surfaces with solutions that repel stains. They may also be required to remove the existing floor, inspect the surface of the floor before installing it, and correct any defects.
While lumberyards and do-it-yourself centers sell hardwood floors for homeowners to install, it’s generally better to have the pros do the job. This is because these individuals are more knowledgeable about the different types of hardwoods and can identify different varieties of wood on sight. They can also use the proper tools to cut, sand, and stain the wood for a finished floor that is showroom quality.
Most hardwood floor installation specialists also offer advice on the type of wood that is best for a particular room in a home and recommend an appropriate stain color. They typically meet with clients and contractors to determine the scope of a project, suggest a timeframe for the project, and price out the materials needed to complete the job. Depending on the size of the job, they may also be required to liaise with architects and carpenters as part of larger construction projects.
The installation of hardwood floors requires a great deal of time, as the material must acclimate to the house’s temperature and humidity levels. During this acclimation period, the homeowner or client will not be able to use the area being worked on. This can be a big inconvenience, especially when the room is the primary living space.
Because of the intense physical nature of the job, hardwood flooring installers must be able to stand and move around for long periods of time. They must also be able to use power saws, sanders, and other heavy equipment. Those who work in this profession must have a strong desire to succeed and be willing to work as part of a team.
Experience
When a homeowner is thinking about purchasing hardwood floors, they should hire a flooring installer with experience. Flooring professionals work in the industry every day, and this gives them a level of knowledge that will help to ensure that flooring is installed quickly and with a high quality that would be difficult for an average DIYer to match.
A professional flooring company will also be able to offer a warranty on their installation services, which can give homeowners peace of mind that the investment they are making will be protected in case something goes wrong with the new floor. Additionally, the professionals will have access to a wider variety of flooring materials than is typically available at a local home improvement store, giving customers more options and making the process much simpler.
Choosing the right hardwood floor for a home can be a tricky decision, and many flooring companies will allow customers to book an in-home shopping appointment where they can meet with a professional and look at a wide range of products. This can make the process of deciding on a new flooring material a lot easier, as people may find that certain colors or patterns will look better in their home than they do under harsh store lighting or on a computer screen.
Once a customer has decided on the type of flooring they want to purchase, they should ask the installation company if they carry that material in stock. They should also inquire about the cost of the material and installation, as well as if there are any hidden fees that need to be taken into account. The company should be able to provide up-front pricing estimates so that the customer can be prepared for any potential costs.
Installing hardwood floors is a major project that will require some short-term disruption to a home. This is because the floors will need to be removed, and it will take several days for the installation team to reinstall the new flooring. In order to minimize the impact on daily life, homeowners should try to plan ahead as much as possible. They should make sure that they have enough storage space for the flooring, and they should consider how it will be cleaned and maintained in the future.
Licenses
Licensed flooring contractors can provide insight on the different types of materials available, develop floor designs, and install new floors. They may also offer ongoing maintenance, repair, and preservation services. Some of these contractors may work with local showrooms to help clients choose the best hardwood material for their homes. This process can include a home visit, measurements, and a quote for the new materials.
Before hiring a flooring contractor, ask about their references and past work. Any reputable contractor should be happy to give you the contact information for former customers. Ask to speak with a few of these customers and request photographs of the finished flooring project. This can help you gauge the quality of the workmanship and the level of professionalism. You should also ask the contractor about their business structure and insurance. Make sure the provider carries liability insurance that covers damage caused by the contractor’s workers. You should also request a copy of the insurance policy declaration page and be sure you can be cited as an additional named insured.
Hardwood flooring is an investment, so it is essential to find a contractor that provides a warranty. Look for a written warranty that includes labor and handling on site as well as the manufacturer’s product warranty. Ideally, you should be able to negotiate a longer warranty than one year.
The installation of hardwood flooring can be a major disruption to your home life. It is important to get your home ready for the installers, which means removing any small items and electronics from the rooms being worked on. You should also cover furnishings and draperies to prevent dust infiltration.
Hardwood floor contractors should be able to read and interpret blueprints and have basic carpentry skills. They should be able to understand the structural integrity of the building and work around any plumbing or electrical issues. They should also be able to identify and address problems with the subfloor, including sagging or excessive moisture. Finally, a good hardwood flooring contractor should be able to communicate with you about the project timelines, payment schedule, and inspection requirements.
Insurance
Licensed flooring contractors can provide you with the best products for your home or business, but they also must have proper insurance coverage. This includes general liability and workers’ compensation. When working with tools in people’s homes or businesses, there is a high risk of injury and property damage. The most important type of coverage is general liability, which provides protection from third-party claims for property damage or bodily injury.
During the installation process, a client might trip over a nail or staple that falls from the floor, or an employee may inhale toxic sealant fumes. Those kinds of incidents can lead to costly lawsuits. General liability can help cover the legal costs and medical bills, so a flooring contractor doesn’t have to go bankrupt.
Flooring contractors often work at multiple residential and commercial locations throughout the day. That means they are working around expensive property, and they are in close proximity to customers’ home and office appliances, televisions, stereos, and other electronics. For example, a customer could accuse the flooring contractor of breaking a television or shattering glass during a hardwood floor refinishing job. That would likely result in a large property damage claim, which could be covered by the company’s general liability policy.
In addition to general liability, a flooring contractor should have business auto insurance. This type of coverage covers vehicles used for transportation to and from work sites. Depending on the size of the flooring contractor’s business, they may need to rent or borrow vehicles to complete jobs in remote locations. Those vehicles are likely to be in a lot of traffic, and the possibility of a collision is high. Business auto insurance can help pay for repairs or replacement costs if the company vehicle is damaged or totaled in an accident.
Lastly, if a flooring contractor operates a showroom in their office or another location, they should have commercial property insurance. This type of coverage protects the building and any inventory stored in it from a variety of risks, such as fire, theft, and natural disasters. Typically, the amount of insurance coverage required for a flooring contractor will depend on how much work they do, how many employees they have, and what kind of equipment they own. Obtaining quotes from several different companies is a good way to compare rates and policies.