EIGHT ESSENTIAL STEPS IN HIRING A HARDWOOD FLOOR INSTALLER
Installing your hardwood floor may look easy to do, but it isn't. It is hard work and requires a lot of skill and experience. It's smart, therefore, to hire someone who installs hardwood everyday for a living. Your installer should have the specialized knowledge and the proper tools and equipment to complete your job expertly and on time.
Buying your flooring separately and contracting directly with a good installer to put it down for you is a very economical way of getting a great new floor. You can save a lot of money doing it this way, but as always, be careful and take the precaution of getting your agreement in writing.
Independent hardwood installers often own small companies. They may work for a number of retailers and contractors. You can generally find them in the Yellow Pages, the ad section of your local paper's Home section or online. You can also ask friends for referrals. Try to get estimates from at least two installers - three is even better.
Once you've got the installer in your home, show him the area to be covered and go over this list. Your installer will appreciate this because he, like most people, wants to do the job right and end up with you as another satisfied customer. He will certainly have questions and suggestions of his own.
1. First of all, he should use a tape measure, a rolling wheel, or a laser measure to determine the size of the flooring area you want to cover. He will add 10% (give or take) to the net square footage to cover cutting waste and discarding any boards that may have minor imperfections.
2. He will usually diagram the area on paper, making a drawing of your rooms with all the dimensions figured in.
3. Next, show him a sample of the flooring you have selected. This will help him determine what transition strips, stair nosing, wood floor vents, quarter round, base board and other accessories you will need to purchase.
4. He will also check the height of adjoining floors, counter tops, cabinets, etc. to make certain that everything will fit properly after the new floor has been installed. It is essential to have all of your materials at the start of your job in order to get a neatly finished job done on time. We like to say that it is best to start the job right in order to finish it right.
5. Ask him to confirm that the conditions of your home are suitable for the flooring you want to install. He may ask to remove a piece of existing floor or go into the basement or crawl space to check the condition of the basic floor.
6. Ask for an itemization of any additional charges for flooring removal, repair of sub-floor, cutting of doors and other work related to the finished product.
7. If you are living in the home, discuss where the sawing of boards will occur. Specify if you want him to seal off the rooms with plastic and identify who will be responsible for final clean up.
8. Get the proposal in writing and keep your copy of it in a safe place. It may be a good idea to download a copy of the installation instructions and make that part of your contract. If there is a problem along the way, it is always useful to go back to the written contract. Your contract should include, among other things, the number of square feet you'll need, and a list of any accessories to buy. It should also include his square foot cost of installation and a total dollar amount for the entire job.