Photo from unsplashOriginally Posted On: Choosing the Best Flooring Contractor For Your Next Project (myresidentialservices.com)
Flooring is the material that covers the floor of a room. It can be made from many different materials, including wood, stone, tiles, and carpets. Flooring provides comfort to people who stand on it and it also protects against dirt or dust soiling the surface of your home.
Different types of flooring have different properties which means some are better for certain rooms than others. For example, carpet is best suited in living rooms because there’s a lot more wear and tear involved with this type of flooring as opposed to a kitchen or bathroom where the tile would be better suited because there’s less traffic going through these areas every day.
Flooring changes the look and feels of your home. It’s a major purchase that can be an investment in your future. That’s why it is crucial to choose the best flooring contractor for your next project, such as carpet or hardwood installation services. The difference between a good experience and a bad one can be tens of thousands of dollars—or even more.
The most important thing with the flooring is to find a contractor you can trust because the installation will cost at least 20% more than the price for materials alone.
A good contractor will spend time with you, answering your questions and addressing your concerns before making any decisions. You’ll also want to ask about how long they have been in business, what their warranty policies are like, whether they offer financing options, and if they are accredited by organizations such as NAHB or NALFA. Finally, make sure that the installer has insurance coverage in case something goes wrong during installation. This way you know that if anything should happen you’ll be protected.
There are many factors that go into choosing what type of flooring you should use, including price, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
If you’re thinking about getting a new type of flooring for your home but are not sure which one is best suited to the room, there are some questions that can help guide you in your decision-making process.
When you’re ready to choose your flooring contractor, make sure they ask the right questions in order to help you make the right decision for your home and budget. Before you move forward with a bid, consider asking these 19 important questions:
1) Do you want a seamless, high-quality installation?
If you want a smooth and seamless installation, the American Floor Distributors Association says that it is crucial that you ask your flooring professional if they have been trained in best practices for installation.
You should also ask what kind of warranty is being offered for any work they perform. It’s not just the final product but also how it is installed that will have a major impact on the outcome of your project. You never want to invest in flooring that is going to get damaged just from walking across it.
2) Should flooring be the same throughout the house?
If you’re interested in having flooring that is consistent throughout your home, it is important to ask your contractor if they offer any discounts for multiple projects. You can also ask about their installation process and what materials are used.
3) What about the price tag?
A contractor should be able to give you a fair and accurate estimate for what they believe it will take to complete your project, including any materials you are looking to have installed. This is helpful in terms of budgeting, so it’s important to ask what specific items are included in this estimate.
4) Do you want the contractor to provide the labor or do they subcontract?
The flooring company should be upfront about if their employees will install your floors or if they are going to subcontract the work out to another company. This is significant because it’s important for you to know who will actually be in your home and who has been trained in best practices for the project.
In addition, contracting specific companies can help ensure that any warranties or guarantees are actually fulfilled by those actually doing the work, rather than a separate company.
5) How will the flooring be installed?
If you’re looking for carpet installation or hardwood floors, like Hickory or Oak, ask what products they will be using and if there are specific products that are recommended by their industry association.
For example, both the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends certain products as the most popular for those interested in new flooring installation.
6) Do you care about the warranty of your flooring?
The National Wood Flooring Association also has a list of brands that are recommended for their quality products.
Asking the right questions before you sign on with any service is vital to make sure your new flooring installation project goes smoothly. These are just some of the best practices to keep in mind when working with contractors so you can be confident in your decision-making process.
7) What does your contractor’s policy include?
Although they may not tell you outright, most contractors will have a standard contract that includes their terms and conditions for completing your project. For example, ASPEN Flooring in San Antonio recommends that their contracts include the following:
• Materials, labor, and equipment to complete your project
• Terms of payment for materials and labor
• How warranties are handled
• Guarantees for work performed by the company
8) Do you need to know if they have been accredited by an organization such as National Wood Flooring Association or Carpet and Rug Institute?
For example, if you’re looking to install carpeting in your home, it is important for you to find a flooring company that has been accredited by the Carpet and Rug Institute.
This means they have graduated from an intense training program that includes courses on installation, customer care, buying practices, and much more.
9) How do you know they have been trained?
These accreditations are a sign that your contractor has been trained in best practices for installation. They also give you the added peace of mind knowing that the company is putting their customers first and providing quality workmanship.
In addition, these organizations provide training on what to avoid when it comes to installation, such as techniques that can actually cause damage to your flooring or home.
10) What recommendations or options of the type of floorings can they provide?
If you’re still unsure which type of flooring is best for your project, ask the contractor to recommend different types of flooring that are popular at their company.
This will give you an idea of what they currently install on a regular basis – whether it be hardwood flooring or carpet installation – and provides an example of their expertise.
11) What flooring is best if I have pets (dogs or cats)?
In addition, ask the contractor if there are any specific types of floorings that they would not recommend. For example, certain wood species such as Maple and Oak do well with scratches and dents but can become unlevel over time.
So depending on your lifestyle and the amount you plan to use, this may be a factor to consider when making your final decision.
12) What information do they need from me before they can recommend a certain type of flooring for my home?
The best flooring companies will ask you as many questions as possible about your projects, such as the size of your home, square footage, and a number of bathrooms. This is to give them an idea of what type of flooring would be best for your needs and if it’s a large enough project to warrant hiring a professional installation team.
13) Do they have a list of references from previous clients you can contact?
In addition, ask them to provide a list of references that you can contact and speak with about their services. This is invaluable if you’re looking for an unbiased opinion about the type of work they do and how other customers felt about the contractor’s services.
14) What are their cheapest and most expensive prices for me to get the type of flooring installation I want??
Aside from asking for references, another way to gauge if they’re a good company is their pricing. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends that you “avoid contractors who charge very low prices or claim they have ‘special deals’”. This means that they are often cutting corners on their work or materials, so try to find a contractor who has average pricing for the industry.
The range of prices for a flooring installation will vary based upon the type of materials you’re looking to install, but a good flooring company recommends quotes that should be around 10-20% below their competitor’s lowest rate. This is another good sign that they are finding ways to save you money while still providing quality flooring.
15) Do they have a warranty for their workmanship?
Most flooring companies will fall into one of two categories: either they include a lifetime warranty or 30-year + warranties for the materials used in your project. The type of warranty that they offer should be based on industry standards and is another way to gauge how much experience they have in the field.
16) What are they asking me for in terms of completing the project?
Ask your contractor what documents you need to provide when they request a bid for certain projects, whether it be an estimate or approval on the type of materials being used. It’s important that you know upfront what the price range is and how much paperwork you need to provide for this process.
17) Are they responsible for the disposal of old flooring materials?
In addition, ask your contractor if they are responsible for taking away old flooring products, such as carpet or wood. These items have different requirements when it comes to waste management and some companies won’t remove them from your home without charging you an additional fee.
18) What are their professional affiliations?
Lastly, make sure that your contractor is part of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), which is a great organization for learning more about what they do and the types of flooring they install on a regular basis.
If they don’t have any professional affiliations or offer qualifications, this might be a sign that they are new to the industry and need more veterans who can help them become better at what they do.
19) Do they have liability insurance?
This is another way to test if your contractor has the type of experience needed for certain projects. Flooring companies that carry liability insurance may not have a ton of experience, but it shows that they are prepared for any issues that might come up during the installation process.
The NWFA recommends searching for a certain level of insurance through your contractor to make sure you’re not putting yourself or your property at risk, including general liability and worker’s compensation.
For more advice on how to choose a flooring contractor that fits what you’re looking for, contact Texan Residential Services at (512)-273-7838
In the end, all of these questions are a great way to test the quality of your contractor. Any reputable flooring company will be more than happy to answer these questions – and any others you may have – so don’t hold back from asking as many questions as it takes to make you feel comfortable with your project and make sure that they’re worth hiring for certain projects.
Whether you plan to redo the flooring in your home or looking to have new floors installed, it is well worth asking these crucial questions so you know exactly what to expect when the project begins. This will also help ensure that you are getting a good deal on the total cost of installation and any extras that might be included in their contract.
By talking with your contractor in detail and asking the right questions beforehand, you will be able to ensure your project is completed with care and professionalism. It will also determine if they are the right person for the job and give you peace of mind when it comes time to begin your chosen project.
