Top 10 questions to ask your contractor BEFORE the work begins

    1. Have you and your subcontractors read the manufacturer's installation manual and warranty requirements for this particular floor?

    Print out three copies; one for General Contractor (GC), one for subcontractors and one for you. You need to read these as well so you know the answers before you ask them. All the answers are in the manual. If you want this job to be successful, it requires your serious attention and active participation. This is not the time to go on vacation.

    2. Do you have all the necessary tools to complete this installation properly?

    a. Hygrometer and moisture meter to measure the humidity in your room, subfloor and flooring? b. For Marmoleum Sheet or Tile ­ 100­lbs roller, proper trowel size, correct glue, etc. c. For wood/bamboo/cork floors ­ saws, moldings, underlayment, knocking blocks, last board puller, spacers, etc. d. If you don’t have the necessary tools, how else are you planning to measure, prepare the subfloor and install properly? Offer to order or rent them if need. If they don’t have all that is needed it is Red Flag #1.

    3. If an inspector came to investigate a warranty claim, would you be able to provide documents verifying that you have complied with the manufacturer’s requirements?

    These should include: temperature and humidity readings of rooms, moisture content of subfloor and flooring, improvements to subfloor, acclimation time, expansion space, insurance documents, etc. Use a camera with date stamp to verify readings. Provide a clipboard with sheets to fill out and be absolutely sure they leave with you.

    4. Will you identify and notify me of any potential moisture issues in the subfloor and walls that need to be resolved before installation can begin?

    5. How long should this flooring acclimate before installation?

    All manufacturers are different. Be sure to check this out against the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure it is correct. This one question alone could be a deal killer if not answered correctly. (Red Flag #2)

    6. How much space are you planning to leave for expansion and contraction around the perimeter or between large spaces? Do you have enough moulding and the right type to cover these spaces before you begin?

    Don’t assume your contractor’s answers are correct. Again, check out with manufacturer’s guidelines. This is also a critical question. (Red Flag #3)

    7. How will you prepare the subfloor? Are you familiar with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) guidelines? How will you correct any deflections (dips or bumps) greater than 3/16” of an inch within any 8­foot span?

    Another big question that must be understood and satisfied correctly. You should check this yourself just to make sure. (Red Flag #4)

    8. Do you have enough flooring and related materials to complete this job? Have you ordered 10% overage? Who will be responsible for covering the extra expense of returning extra flooring or ordering extra flooring if there isn’t enough to finish the job?

    Don’t wait until the end of the job to answer this one or it will cost you, big time. How this is answered could be Red Flag #5.

    9. Are you a registered contractor with the state? How long will you warrant your work? Do you have adequate insurance to cover any problems and claims arising from the job? If you don’t have insurance, what happens if there is problem with my floor in the next few years?

    Most contractors will realize at this point you are serious and they must comply with the manufacturer’s requirements or they will lose their shirt or go to jail. They may decide not to work for you because these questions are too difficult to answer. Better to find this out sooner than later. (Red Flag #6)

    10. How long will it take to complete this job?

    Always ask this first. Then ask, ... How are you charging for your installation by the square foot or by the hour? Does that include tear out of existing flooring, subfloor prep, clean up, touch up of walls, applying the trim, etc. ? Most charge by the square foot for installation of flooring (and by the hour for all other improvements). If they are competent, courteous and registered, you may have to pay the going rate as they will not take the job any other way. That’s ok. But if they are hungry for work, paying by the hour for installation could save you 40 - 50%. Do the math. Once you know how long the job will take, you can easily calculate how much it will cost if you pay by the hour. Just multiply the total time X $30 or $40 per hour. It will always be less than if calculated by the square foot. If they will accept a higher dollar per hour, it will still save you money (assuming they are not real slow workers or excessive prep work).

     

     

    How many questions answered unsatisfactorily (red flags) should you allow before walking away from this contractor?

    Truthfully all are important to a successful flooring installation. We recommend that you always get more than one bid and ideally three. There are plenty of competent flooring installers. It may take extra work to find them, but it will be well worth it. Well begun, is half done.

     

    Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

     

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