How do I find the right contractor?
Find an experienced contractor because price isn’t everything. Flooring done right takes time and skill. Low price often means a job done in haste so that the contractor can move onto the next one quickly. Like anything you buy, you get what you pay for, so price should reflect skill level as well as credibility. Hiring a contractor isn’t like buying a car; you don’t get the same thing for a cheaper price. It takes years to accumulate the knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. It’s an art learned through application, trial and – more often than not – error. Don’t let your floor be the test subject for a contractor’s inexperience.
Why does hiring an insured contractor matter?
Flooring materials are expensive. And since a bad installation may not show signs of failure for several months, it’s important to have an
insured contractor because, by law, they are obligated to warrant their work and address problems concerning installation. Installation errors will also void manufacturer warranties. Liability for expenses related to fixing those issues falls on an
insured contractor. An uninsured contractor is not bound to care or repair.
A contractor should provide contact information to his or her insurance agent to prove their insured status.
Homeowners are liable for any injuries incurred by uninsured persons on their property.
Sub-flooring sounds somewhat mysterious and complicated – what do I really need to know about it?
Sub-floor prep is one of the most important aspects of installation, so at a minimum, it should be properly cleaned prior to installation. Depending on the type of installation, flooring can fail if the sub-floor isn’t prepped properly. This includes catastrophic glue failure and moisture problems that can swell the wood.
It’s also important that an experienced installer assess the levelness of the sub-floor particularly with floating installations. Planks or boards can come apart due to unevenness in a sub-floor. In a resilient floor installation such as glue down cork or sheet goods, unevenness will telegraph through to the surface.
And lastly, moisture content of the sub-floor should be assessed. Should moisture be present, the cause should be addressed and the floor treated prior to wood installation
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