Don't Get Trampled By Your Flooring Contractor
Part 1
Hiring a flooring contractor doesn't necessarily mean
you can just pay someone to do the work and simply forget
about it. There are several precautionary measures and steps
you should take before signing on that dotted line. Much of
your research can be done online, so use the resources you
have to make an informed decision. In our two part series
on this subject, we cover how to prepare for and make the
best selection for your project.
- Determine the scope of your work -
In other words, you should know the following and have it written
down for reference:
- How many rooms (if more than one)
- How many square feet (each room and total)
- What type of flooring you want installed and the material
costs for each material
- A list of any concerns or special considerations regarding
your flooring project
- Choose some contractors to interview
- And keep that little word in mind, this will only be interviews.
Do not sign anything on a first meeting. Until you have a
chance to research the contractor, signing anything is a mistake.
A minimum of three contractors is a good starting number.
Good resources to start your search for contractors are friends,
neighbors, family, local building supply and hardware stores
and online.
- Be prepared for your interviews -
Following are a list of questions you should ask the flooring contractor.
If he or she hesitates, it’s probably time to move on to the
next interview:
- Do you have a license? – This is a deal breaker, if the answer is no, this is absolutely not the right person for the job. If the answer is yes, ask to see a copy.
- How long has the company been in business? While longer doesn’t necessarily mean better, you need to be aware of the risks if hiring a relatively new to the business contractor. This contractor may still be focused on hiring employees, start up concerns, etc. and may not be able to give your job the attention it deserves.
- How much experience do you have in the particular flooring to be installed? Not all flooring contractors are created equal. One may do exquisite hardwood floor installations but be totally clueless when it comes to ceramic tile. Ask for references and follow up on them.
- Do you carry worker’s compensation and liability insurance? This is a detail many people overlook. Make sure you see a copy of insurance certificates to verify coverage is in place.
- How do you handle clean up and/or environmental concerns. Some floor installations may require you to vacate your home temporarily. No when and for how long up front. Also, make sure the contractor will handle the clean-up process and to what extent they will clean up.
- What kind of warranty do you offer? No how long it will be for and what exactly it covers. Ask to see a copy in writing.
- Be sure to ask the contractor about any other concerns or special considerations your flooring project may entail.
- Get written estimates -
Make sure that each of the contractors has your written scope of work so that you can accurately compare their offers. Cheapest isn’t best. If one contractor is outrageously lower than the others, it’s probably best to steer clear. Remember the old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
So there’s the start of the process. In Part 2 we’ll start taking more action
in the process.
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