New flooring does wonders for your house. Good planning can save you time and money in both the short term and the long term. If you’re getting ready for a home renovation, learn how to prepare your home for new flooring before heading to your nearest Landmark Interiors retailer to pick out your products.
Find the Right Contractor
A little preparation can save you a lot of perspiration later on. Start by researching the contractors in your area. Interview potential contractors and ask for information about:
- Certifications and licenses
- Experience and work samples
- Customer testimonials
- Warranty options
When you find a good fit, you should establish checkpoints throughout the process to ensure the work meets everyone’s expectations. As they work on your flooring, you should set expectations by treating them well and taking their needs into consideration. This includes offering them water, snacks, and bathroom usage. Additionally, you should offer lunch to the installers on the last day of scheduled work.
Ensure Installers Have What They Need
You should always make sure the installers have what they need before they arrive. This includes electricity for power tools, running water for cleaning, and a climate-controlled environment for optimal working conditions. Additionally, a utility (or slop) sink should be accessible for cleanup purposes. Also make sure to order the right amount of product for your project.
Clear Furniture & Remove Valuable Items
As you prepare your home for new flooring, it’s important to first clear the room(s) of any valuable or fragile items. This should be done well ahead of the new flooring installation. Remove all decor, drapes, picture frames, and other hanging materials to protect them from dust or any potential damage during installation.
Seal Off Adjacent Rooms
Remember—when installing new floors, the room(s) will be off-limits. Plan accordingly. New flooring installation can get messy. Sawdust and debris can quickly and easily spread to adjacent rooms, which is why it’s a good idea to seal off all nearby rooms before and during installation.
The easiest way to do this is to use masking tape and a clear, plastic sheet to keep dust and other materials from spreading elsewhere.
Remove Base Shoe & Trim
Once the prep work is complete, the new flooring is just a step away from being installed. You should begin by removing any doors from their hinges in the room(s) receiving new flooring. Be sure to stack the doors in one of your sealed rooms and use something soft, like a blanket, to protect them from scratches.
Because floor installation often cuts the molding bottoms (commonly known as a base shoe) to fit the new flooring beneath, it’s necessary to remove base and doorway-stop moldings before installing. These should be reattached to the existing moldings once the new flooring has been installed.
Typically, this should be a job for a contractor to best avoid any wall damage. Regardless, you should be prepared for this work to be done prior to flooring installation.
Have a Waste Disposal Plan
You should also acquire adequate waste disposal for the installation process, both during and after the project is complete. Flooring installation accumulates plenty of dust and debris, and having a nearby waste bin or two will make the cleanup process more efficient throughout the installation.
Depending on the scope of the project, you may benefit from placing smaller trash cans within the room(s), rather than moving the debris outside or to an inconvenient location inside. If necessary, you can hire a waste removal company to assist with the disposal process, although this is typically reserved for larger projects.
Acclimate The New Flooring
Provide space for the new flooring to acclimate to your home’s environment before installation. This step allows the flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity levels of your space, reducing the risk of issues like warping or buckling later on. In many cases, your contractor should be able to provide guidance on how to do this effectively.
Read our article on acclimating new flooring here.
Prep for Your New Flooring
Knowing how to prepare your home for new flooring is an important process that enables installers to work effectively to provide a finished product that’s as beautiful as it is reliable. When you’re ready to get started, find your nearest Landmark Interiors retailer. Our experts will work to give new life to your home.