6 Hardwood Floor Questions to Ask About Installing or Replacing Laminate, Stone, or Wood Flooring

Installing new flooring can totally transform the look of any room, but it’s important to understand the installation process and what needs to be done to prep the room for the project. Asking these laminate, stone, and hardwood floor questions can ensure you and your contractor are on the same page. 

1. What type of flooring do you want to be installed or replaced?

Determining what type of flooring you’re installing or replacing will help your contractor set a timeline to complete the work. Laminate flooring is typically easy to install and goes quickly. Some materials, however, require more work, making the installation process take longer. Stone tile flooring requires mortar and spacers to lay the tiles, and hardwood flooring will require staining and sealing before the project is complete. Your contractor will be able to assess your space and flooring choice to determine a timeline for project completion.

2. Have you already purchased materials for this project?

In some cases, homeowners want to tackle a flooring job themselves, but after buying the materials and getting started, they realize that it’s a bigger job than they’re able to do. If this is the case and you’ve already purchased the flooring, you can ask your local hardwood floor contractor if they can use what you have and not charge as much for materials.

3. In which rooms would you like to install new flooring?

Understanding the scope of the project will help your flooring contractor give you the most accurate quote. Be sure to discuss where you want to install new flooring and go over the flooring options. The type of flooring you choose will partially depend on where it’s installed. For instance, flooring in a mud room will need to be more durable than flooring installed in a guest bedroom.

4. When do you need this work done?

The timeline for how long the work will take depends on the size of the space where you’re installing the flooring as well as the type of flooring. Contact a local flooring contractor well before you need to have the job completed so you can work with them to find a time that works for both of you.

5. Do I need to remove the existing flooring?

You should discuss whether or not you need to remove the existing flooring when you ask your hardwood floor questions. Removing the old flooring costs between $1 and $5 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring, so you can save on the project by doing this step yourself. The baseboards will also need to be removed, and you can discuss whether or not you should do this step with your contractor.

6. How can you prepare for flooring installation or replacement?

If you’re installing flooring in a new build, then this won’t be as much of a concern, but if you’re completely replacing flooring in your home, there’s quite a bit of prep work to be done even before the contractor shows up. You’ll need to remove all of the furniture, rugs, and decor from the room to give them access to the entire floor.