Are you thinking of installing new floors in your home? Are you on the hunt for a contractor? Before settling for the first company you see, make sure you ask these questions to your flooring installer.
How long have you been installing floors?
It is important to ask your flooring installer how long they have been working on floors. You want someone who is not only skilled and professional but experienced as well. Typically, contractors who have been installing floors for five years or more have a good handle on the job. You may also want to ask them how long they have been installing based on each flooring type — carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate and ceramic tile.
What installation methods do you use?
There are many different ways to install floors — glue, staple, floating, click and lock, etc. And while not many homeowners care what method, you will want to know in case anything happens in the future. For example, what if you work with a new contractor or what if you decide to install new floors on your own later? Plus, it is always good to know, just in case you decide to sell your home and the future homeowners want to know.
Can I see your previous work?
Just like any other service, you will want to see your contractor’s previous work as well as past client reviews. You want to make sure your contractor’s work matches your expectations. Plus, looking at reviews will give you a better idea of how they were with past clients or how their services fared at the end.
Are your bonded, licensed and insured?
An important question that gets skipped is asking your flooring installer if they are bonded, licensed and insured. A bonded business guarantees payment if certain conditions are met or reimbursement if they do not fulfill their contract. Having a license means that the company can legally work on your home. And working with an insured company ensures that if the employee gets hurt at your home during a job, you are not financially responsible for their medical expenses. At Valor Home Services, our main goal is to provide you with a stress-free experience — that is why we are bonded, licensed and insured.
Do you offer a warranty?
Accidents happen, and your floors can incur damage. Whether it is a year, three years or even ten years, you will want a flooring contractor that offers a warranty on their floors. This way they can come out and replace any damaged areas, which means you would not have to spend loads of money again.
What type of flooring works best for my environment?
Did you know that some flooring does better in specific climates? You want to find floors that will last in the area that you live. For example, if you live in a humid or wet environment, you will want to have floors that can withstand the extra moisture, like waterproof flooring or ceramic tile. Your contractor can give you a breakdown of what flooring works best for your climate, or you can check out this guide.
How do you maintain the floors?
A big question that many homeowners ask after installing new floors is how to properly maintain them. You just spent a lot of money on your floors, so it makes sense that you will want to know the proper maintenance steps. Each flooring type is different when it comes to their care and maintenance. Your contractor can give you a breakdown based on the type of flooring you have.
Will you remove the furniture and place it back?
When installing new flooring in your home, you need to remove the furniture from the space. Then, once the job is complete, you need to place everything back in its proper place. So, who does all of that? And, honestly, it all just depends. Some contractors charge additional moving fees while others include it in their services or will not do it all. In addition, some homeowners prefer to do the moving. If you do not want to deal with the constant moving, then go with a flooring contractor who will move the furniture for you.
How will you contain dust and clean up?
Installing new floors is a messy job. Between moving around furniture, glue, sanding and any other messes along the way, a contractor can create a big clean-up task. And surprisingly enough, not every contractor will clean up their mess, insisting the homeowner do it. Having to clean after your flooring contract can cause you even more stress. Instead, stick with the stress-free route by hiring a team that will help contain dust and clean up after themselves. Luckily for you, Valor Home Services does all that. Plus, we will remove old flooring, supplies and other trash.
How long will the process take?
Anytime you have anyone working on your home, you will want to know how long they will be there. Ultimately, you will want to know how long everything takes from start to finish, as in the moment the contractor comes to your home to the moment they leave. When it comes to installing floors, it depends on the area. For example, it is one room, it will take typically one day. If it is more rooms, it can take up to three days. If it is an entire house, it can take more than a week. Talk to your contractor to get the amount of time it will take to install flooring in your home.
Now that you have these questions, you can find the perfect floor installer. If you live in Belleville, O’Fallon or Edwardsville, you do not have to look far because Valor Home Services is here to help! We have been installing floors in houses for over 25 years. For more information or to book your appointment, give us a call today.
