How to Prepare Your Home for Flooring Installation

Most install delays are pre-install issues. Here's how to make your project run smoothly from day one.

One week before

• Confirm your start date and timeline in writing. Re-read the quote.
• Plan where your family will be. Most installs are loud. School-age kids and dogs do best out of the house during peak demolition and sanding days. The crew can usually tell you which days are loudest.
• Empty closets and shelves of breakables in adjacent rooms. Vibration carries.
• Take down hanging art on shared walls. Especially over the rooms being installed.

Three days before

• Move small valuables. Watches, electronics, kids' favorites, anything you'd hate to misplace.
• Disconnect or relocate sensitive electronics. Computers, audio equipment, anything dust-sensitive should go to a sealed room or get bagged in plastic.
• Plan for pets. Cats and small dogs need to be in a closed room far from the work, or out of the house. Big dogs do better at boarding or with a friend during the loudest days.

Day before

• Clear the rooms being installed. Most contracts include "we'll move standard furniture." Confirm what's included and what isn't. Pianos, gun safes, oversized armoires, and electronics are typically homeowner-handled.
• Disconnect anything in the work area. TVs, lamps, computers, audio equipment, anything that plugs in.
• Remove low-hanging window treatments. Long curtains often get rolled up and tied; blinds that can be raised should be raised.
• Confirm crew access. Where do they park? Where do you want them to enter? Are they OK using a side door?

Day of install

• Be home for the first 30 minutes if possible. Walkthrough, confirm scope, sign off on the start.
• Plan for noise. Sanding and saw cuts are loud. Plan calls and meetings off-site if possible.
• Provide a bathroom. Standard professional courtesy on multi-day jobs.
• Coffee is appreciated, not expected. Just let us know if there's a Keurig or kettle we can use.

During the job

• Avoid the work area. Hardwood install involves nail guns, table saws, and sanding. Stay out unless invited in.
• Dust will travel. Even with containment, fine dust gets to adjacent rooms. Plan to wipe down surfaces after.
• Bring up issues immediately. A board you don't love, a transition you want different, a stain shade question - the time to raise it is now, not after we've finished. We'd rather adjust than redo.

After we leave

• Stay off freshly-finished hardwood for 24 hours minimum. Sock-feet only after that, shoes after 48, furniture back after 5 - 7 days, area rugs after 14 days.
• Avoid wet cleaning for two weeks. The finish needs to fully cure.
• Save your warranty paperwork. Workmanship is lifetime; the materials warranty depends on the brand.

If you're scheduled with us and have any pre-install question, give us a call - we walk through it on every job.