How to Hire a Flooring Contractor
Renew your floors with confidence when you hire a flooring contractor.
How to Hire a Flooring Contractor
Renew your floors with confidence when you hire a flooring contractor.
When it comes to doing work on floors, you can either DIY or hire someone to do the job for you. DIY is a great, money-saving option for those who have the skills, but headaches can come from DIY nightmares, when people overestimate their skills, and bite off more than they can chew.
Obviously, hiring someone will cost you more money than a DIY approach, but having a professional doing the work can guarantee a job well done. Also, having a professional contractor do the job gives you more time for yourself, as well as peace of mind - priceless things with today’s busy schedules. Before you hire a flooring contractor, there are a few things to consider, to help you make the best choice.
Training and certification
Make sure your contractor knows their stuff, and is doing what they can to keep up to date in their field. A good professional contractor will be active in continuing education, and be happy to share their technical and educational background with you. If you're looking for a wood floor contractor, check to see if they're a member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), or your country's equivalent.
Licences and insurance
Just because someone knows how to do a job doesn’t necessarily mean they can do the job. As you check out the credentials of potential contractors, make sure they’re licenced by your country or state to do the work. You’ll also want to make sure they have contractor’s insurance to cover any accidents at the worksite.
Portfolios and references
Be sure to look at a contractor’s past work to see if it’s what you expect. Also, see if any references are available, so that you can get a good sense of how well customers are treated. You can also check online for any reviews, or see if the contractors are rated by the Better Business Bureau, or similar organisations.
Project summary
As you get closer to hiring the right contractor for the job, be sure to ask questions about the specific project. Things like how long it will take, what to expect during the job, how waste materials are handled/disposed of, and who’s actually doing the work. Will your contractor be using subcontractors? Getting any and all questions out in the open will give you better peace of mind. No question is a silly question, and the flooring contractor should be more than happy to make sure you know exactly what to expect.
Continued care
After the initial job is done, will the contractor do anything to help keep the integrity of their work in place? Many contractors have warranties on their work, and offer other future services to help maintain your floors. Contractors should also be happy to answer any upkeep questions you may have, or recommend products and procedures to keep your floors looking great.
While these five basic points can help you get closer to choosing the right contractor, remember that any and all questions you have should be addressed. Also, make sure to have everything in writing, so that you and your contractor know what to expect.
Looking for a flooring contractor? Find a Bona Certified Craftsman near you. A Bona Certified Craftsman is a professional contractor who has had additional training by Bona to be a trustworthy industry leader. Get instant peace of mind, knowing that you’re working with the best, when you find a Bona Certified Craftsman.