Taking the leap to getting new floors in your home is a big deal. Choosing the right flooring for you and your household is the fun part of that process. Finding the right contractor to install it is at least as important but can be daunting. We understand that our clients are putting a lot of trust in us when they choose to use us for their renovation. Asking the right questions when getting an estimate is the best way to be sure you know what to expect throughout the process.
There Are No Bad Questions
We have some pointers – things we know it’s important for you to know – but if there’s something you want to know about that’s not on our list don’t hesitate to ask! At Flohr we offer free estimates, but that isn’t necessarily the case for all contractors, so it’s important to ask to be sure. Getting more than one estimate is generally a good idea, so working with companies that provide free estimates is a big help.
You should also confirm that all prospective contractors are fully licensed and insured. This should include coverage for their workers while they’re on your property. These should all be easy “yes” answers from any reputable company, and you should be able to get verification before hiring anyone (and you should get it in writing!). These things are in place to protect you. You should not ever be responsible for any damages caused by your project and having appropriate coverage for all workers could save you from a lawsuit. You should also request a list of references. Don’t skip the step of calling them to confirm. Never hesitate to ask for any of these things, the right companies are happy to provide them.
Talk Through the Process
Once you’ve covered your bases with questions about the company go over what to expect with your project specifically. Ask about the timeline to complete the job. Finding out how long they expect it to take is important, but also ask for a general idea of when they would be able to start. Supply chain issues over the past few years have made this a more complicated question than it used to be, but at this point we’re seeing things getting back to some type of normal. Keep in mind that your contractor will need to know the products you’ve chosen in order to give you a decent timeline estimate as part of this will be confirming availability of all needed materials.
Ask about each contractor’s daily process. Discuss things like what time they will start each day, how many people you can expect to be working at any given time, what time do they typically finish each day. It’s also a good idea to go over what they will need from you on a daily basis during installation. Make sure you ask questions about the cleanup process as well. Installations are messy but get verbal confirmation that a finished project includes cleaning up all the mess the install caused. Finally, ask about their warranty and be sure you understand everything that is and is not included.
Hopefully you feel more prepared to start getting estimates for your new floors now. You can schedule a free estimate with us directly from our website or give us a call at (512) 458-4900. We look forward to answering all your questions!
