Are you thinking of replacing your floors with the elegance of wood? Here are some questions you may want to ask your hardwood flooring installer.
If a homeowner decides to replace their old flooring with wood, they will need to find a competent hardwood flooring installer to do the job. Some handy homeowners or DIYers are capable of performing this task themselves. A novice will definitely want to turn complex work over to a professional. While laminate flooring may be more geared towards a weekend woodworking warrior, real hardwood flooring will require substantial knowledge, tools, and finesse. When interviewing merchants about how to install, here are some questions to ask:
– How many floors have you installed? It is preferable to have someone with enough experience in your tool belt. If a contractor has only built cabinets or frame houses, he may not have the experience to do a stellar job on your hardwood floor. Find someone with experience.
– What kind of hardwood do you recommend? There are several types of wood to choose from. Oak, pine, bamboo, maple, and fir are just a few of the possible varieties. Each choice has pros and cons. Do not forget that the wood can also be stained with the tone of your choice. Reclaimed wood is another option that has become quite popular because it has a lot of character and is good for the environment because trees are not harmed in the making of the planks. Reclaimed wood is collected from old barns, stripping tubs, and plank flooring. Knots and a unique vintage grain pattern give this flooring great appeal.
– What tools are needed for this task? Another reason to hire a professional is that he will have the proper tools for this installation. A do-it-yourselfer may think he can save a lot of money trying to do this job himself, but unless he has a ready supply of flooring-specific carpentry tools, he’ll spend a lot of change collecting what’s needed. . Drills, saws, pry bars, deck screws, tape measure, level, saw horses, floor staplers, heavy-duty floor staples, regular hammer, mallet, square, and finishing jackhammer with nails.
– How long will it take to complete this job? It will depend on the disassembly and size of the rooms to be reformed. If the room is currently carpeted, it will be fairly easy for the hardwood flooring installer to rip out the existing carpet and padding. It will also be necessary to remove the tack strip and smooth and level the surface of the lower deck. If the surface to be removed is tile, it will be more labor intensive as tile requires many man hours to strip and prepare for hardwood installation. Pre-finished wood will take less time if purchased with the stain and varnish already finished. Natural hardwood will need to be stained after installation, which will extend the time of the job.
– How much will it cost? Be sure to get a written estimate for the job. It’s better to know up front how much it will cost per square foot rather than pay for labor by the hour. That way, it’s up to the contractor to get the job done in a timely manner instead of the meter racing up and increasing the price tag.
When all questions have been answered to your satisfaction, check references and prepare for a beautiful new look courtesy of your hardwood flooring installer.