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 a licensed 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 a licensed 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 a licensed contractor. An unlicensed contractor is not bound to care or repair.
Furthermore, unlicensed persons probaby don't carry commercial liability insurance (usually one million dollars) for damage to your property or workman’s comp. A contractor must provide contact information to his or her insurance agent to prove their insured status. An unlicensed person cannot contract for a job that exceeds $500 in value materials and labor. And ultimately, homeowners are liable for any injuries incurred by unlicensed 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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