If you’ve decided to install hardwood flooring in your home, you’ve made a great decision. Nothing can match the beauty and grandeur of hardwood, and its durability further makes it the best option for flooring.
The flooring of your house plays a vital role in setting your place’s tone and overall appearance. And of all the different materials, wood is considered one of the most appealing and aesthetically beautiful choices. Hardwood, in fact, has always remained a popular choice among homeowners for various reasons. This stunning material comes in numerous styles with infinite color options to choose from. Picking the best one is certainly a difficult task but finding the right installer is even more important. This is because the flooring contractor you hire will greatly impact the quality of the installation process.
As you know, the installation of wooden floors is not a DIY project. So, it’s necessary to find an expert installer to ensure long-term satisfaction with your new floors. It largely depends on the flooring contractor how wonderful your floor looks and how it performs over time.
So what exactly you need to look for in a hardwood floor contractor? Here are some of the things to consider when hiring a wooden flooring expert.
1. Business License & Insurance Policy
The requirements for licensing vary from state to state. If your state requires the flooring contractor to obtain a license, you need to check this before hiring any professional. It’s crucial to check if their business is licensed and they carry an insurance policy. If a company doesn’t hold an insurance policy, if one of the workers gets hurt, you will be held responsible for all of their medical bills and time taken off from work.
2. Check References & Online Reviews
A reliable flooring expert will have many happy customers. The best way to know the quality of their service is by checking their online reviews. Go online and research about the company and read the complaints and testimonials of their clients. In addition to this, you should also ask the contractor to provide references of their past clients. By speaking to at least three former customers, you can frame a judgment about the contractor.
3. Timber Species
Ask the contractor which timber is best according to your region’s climate. The timber you select plays a crucial role, so make sure you pick the right one. Some require a subfloor, while others don’t. The contractor you hire must know all the different types to help you choose the most suitable for your environment and climate.
4. A Detailed Written Quote
Once you have found a few reliable flooring experts, ask them to provide you a written estimate. Don’t make a final decision based on the lowest quote only because here, quality matters. The contractor you hire ultimately should give you a written contract that mentions the details about the entire project, such as the scope of work, material and installation cost, and deadlines for completing the work.
5. Services Offered
Numerous contractors claim to install hardwood floors, but not all are the same. An experienced and established contractor will specialize in floor installation and will offer services beyond installation. Ideally, the flooring expert should offer installation, sanding/staining/finishing, deep cleaning, water damage repair, and refinishing hardwood floors. In addition to these services, the best companies also use a dust extraction system to evacuate the dust from your home. The contractors should make sure that you aren’t left cleaning dust particles for months to come. They should perform clean up afterward, as well as take precautions.
