Hardwood flooring is a timeless, traditional material that can bring warmth and character to any home. However, hardwood floors need to be installed by someone who has the knowledge and expertise necessary to do it correctly. If you don't want your hardwoods to look like they were just slapped down with no care whatsoever, then it's best if you find an installation company before you start the project! In this blog post we will show you how easy it is for homeowners like yourself to find and choose hardwood floor installation companies in their area!
The Hardwood Floor Installation Process
The first stage is a floor size estimate. A representative from the business will come to your home and measure your floors with a rolling wheel-type measuring instrument and a long tape measure after you contact them. The estimator will generate a square-foot measurement using these instruments. If their estimate is bigger than yours, don't be concerned; they usually estimate a 10% overage to account for waste.
The price estimate is the second stage. The size estimator may sit down with you on the spot and crunch the numbers to provide a price estimate. Alternatively, the estimator may take the figures back to the shop, and you will be contacted later.
Take a look at three or more companies' bids. When all of the bids come in, you should expect to see a significant price gap. Some installers may generate high quotations because they know that some homeowners are more likely to sign a contract right away. Be careful not to be that type of homeowner. You can weed out the outliers by taking the median cost.
How to determine who is a good installer
Independent contractors are a great way to find someone who is willing and able to carry out the task. Many flooring stores have a list of reputable installers that they can recommend. While these installers may be unassociated with the businesses, the companies have an incentive in weeding out the bad ones and promoting the superior ones.
When a house down the street is having wood flooring put in, take a look at their work. When the workers take a break, approach them for a card. Also assess their working methods. Do they have respect for the property and home? Are they cutting too much board length with their saws? Follow up by receiving feedback from the homeowners.
Contractor matching services, such as Flooring Pros, are lead generators that may put you in touch with home improvement professionals like flooring installers. HomeAdvisor is the oldest and most reliable matching service. However, keep in mind that just because a lead generator sends three-floor installers your way does not guarantee excellence. You could also find contractors through a Google search and check out their Google reviews to see what other experiences were like.
Before making any decision it's always smart to make sure that you have done research on the company and industry. Asking for before and after pictures and customer references can also help provide you the things you need to make a sound decision.
Finally, don't be afraid to ask hard questions and get hard estimates. You should feel comfortable with the company you choose after all!