Installations: Questions to Ask Your Hardwood Flooring Installer or Contractor

Choosing a reputable and knowledgeable hardwood floor installer can take you just as much time as picking out the exact species, color and type of hardwood floor you want for you home. In the hardwood flooring industry, hardwood flooring installers can come in the form of hardwood flooring installation companies with a full staff of qualified hardwood flooring installers or be independent installers. Either way, there are several things you’ll want to go over with a potential installer before you commit to anything in writing or hand over any money.

• Do some basic preliminary research on a company or installer before contacting them. Place their name in your favorite search engine and see what comes up. Do they have a website? If so, does the website have a physical street address and valid contact number that is posted?
• Search for independent reviews of their services by typing in their name again and then the word “reviews” or “references” after it and see what comes up.
• Are they a member of the National Wood Flooring Association? Any installer you use must follow the National Wood Flooring Association Installation Guidelines otherwise it could invalidate your warranty. Note: A reputable installer does not have to be a member of NWFA in order to follow their installation guidelines. For example, if you have a friend or neighbor who you know has experience with installing hardwood floors, as long as that friend or neighbor properly follows the installation guidelines, you'll be fine. You can search for installer members of the NWFA by using their consumer installer website www.woodflooringinstallers.com.
• Even if they are a member of NWFA, does the installer or company have a current valid business license? You can search your states current business license listings by typing in “(Name of your state) business licensing.” From there you can navigate to the page where you can type in the name of the company or installer and display the status of their business license. Keep in mind that some companies are owned by umbrella companies. Ask the company or installer if they are subsidiary of any other company. The parent company may be the one that holds the valid business license on behalf of the hardwood flooring company or installer.

Once you’ve narrowed down a list of reputable installers, then you can begin asking other questions.

• Ask the potential installer for pictures of previous work.
• Will you or the installer be responsible for obtaining any necessary building or installation permits that may be required by your local city ordinances or homeowner’s association? If so, who will be getting the permits?
• How long will the installation process take? Remember to not cut corners on the humidity control methods you may need to use to regulate the moisture content in your home before properly acclimating the wood upon delivery. Include the time to acclimate the hardwood flooring into the installation time.
• What are their warranties or guarantees they offer? Can you see a warranty or guarantee prior to committing with them? Keep in mind that installers will typically warranty their work but not the product. For any problems with your product, you will need to speak to your authorized Wood Monsters authorized reseller.
• Who in the company will be doing the actual installation? How many years of experience do the installers have and what certifications can they provide? For example, institutions like the NWFA provide different types of certifications for wood flooring professionals to take advantage of.
• Ask the potential installer do to an onsite walk through and thoroughly discuss any concerns you have.

Make sure you get everything in writing. Review the contract fully before signing it, including having it reviewed by competent legal counsel if necessary.