Having a great-looking hardwood floor installed involves two basic elements:
- The materials used.
- The skill of the installers.
Just like it takes a good cook to turn the ingredients in a recipe into a tasty meal, it takes expertise to turn hardwood flooring materials into a beautiful floor.
But how do you find the proficiency you need? Here are six things to look for.
1. Experience and a history of customer satisfaction.
Research the hardwood floor companies you’re considering. How long have they been in business? What’s their background? Do they have strong customer testimonials? Do they complete projects on time? Look at their social media pages. Enter their names into a search engine and see what turns up. You might find praise or disparagement, and you shouldn’t immediately jump to conclusions, but you can learn from the comments you find on the Web.
And don’t forget good-old word-of-mouth. If someone you trust strongly recommends a particular hardwood floor company, what better indication of quality can you get?
2. All your needs in one place.
Getting a new hardwood floor requires the selection of flooring, procuring materials, installation, and finishing. You can buy the flooring from one company and have another put it in, and a quality hardwood flooring company will be able to work with another company to provide you with the floors you want. But it’s smoother and usually more cost-effective to buy your flooring from the same company that will install it. Also, keep in mind that your installer cannot stand behind material he didn't provide.
3. Adherence to professional standards.
The installation team of the hardwood floor company you choose should be led by a National Wood Flooring Association Certified (NWFA) Installer. Also, make sure the company stringently follows NWFA guidelines.
4. Moisture control.
Insist on a company that understands the impact of temperature and humidity changes on wood. You should expect an inspection of your home to assess temperature and humidity levels so that installation can be adjusted accordingly. And in homes under construction, you want a hardwood flooring company that is able to provide a commercial-grade dehumidifier, if needed, to keep moisture levels from getting too high.
5. Dust containment.
If the installation is being done in a home that’s already being lived in, a state-of-the-art dust containment system is critical to avoid a huge mess.
6. Customer service.
Go visit the hardwood floor companies you’re considering. Are they friendly? Do they appear organized? How helpful are they? Are they just trying to sell, or are they treating you as a consultant would a client? That’s what you’re looking for—a company that won’t be satisfied until you’re satisfied.
