| CHOOSING HARDWOOD FLOORING | | | | -deposits required if any |
| CONTRACTORS | | | | 7. Your final choice should be someone well |
| Steps involved in the process of choosing your | | | | established in the community, someone with good |
| hardwood flooring contractors: | | | | references that you can check. Those two elements |
| 1. Decide what it is that you need to do and write it | | | | will secure the trust factor. The price offered should |
| down. | | | | be reasonable, but not necessary the lowest of all |
| -carpet removed, disposed | | | | provided estimates. |
| -sub-floor installed, refastened | | | | If, for example, you choose a lower price quote that |
| -new wood floor supplied and installed | | | | offers a certain type of varnish, over the more |
| -old floor sanded and finished | | | | expensive type, be sure to ask about the |
| -old floor sanded, stained and finished | | | | characteristics of both varnishes. The more |
| -just a quick fix please | | | | expensive may last 4 times as long as the less |
| 2. Look through the magazines and decorator books | | | | expensive one. It means, that you will need to go |
| to figure out what style and type of hardwood | | | | through the hassle of moving your furniture, and |
| flooring would suit your needs. Then think about your | | | | leaving the house for a day or so a lot sooner, then |
| life style, the time you spend cleaning and if you | | | | if you chose more expensive finish in the first place. |
| have young children or large pets. | | | | Just something to consider... |
| 3. Before you reach for the Yellow Pages, ask your | | | | Be sure that you know who is coming in, to actually |
| friends, family and neighbors about professionals that | | | | do the work. Remember, some store owners, have |
| worked for them in the past, asked if they would | | | | no practical experience, and yet they will be the ones |
| use those people again and if they could recommend | | | | coming to your home to provide an estimate, it's all |
| them to you. Many times a reputable and reliable | | | | fine, but you may also expect them to show up to |
| business is in such demand, that they do not take on | | | | do the job; this may not be the case. Ask first, so |
| new projects unless they have a recommendation | | | | you know what to expect. |
| from a previous client. If you approach a business | | | | 8. Execute a contract with your chosen contractor, |
| with a recommendation from such client, you may | | | | specifying the work to be done, price and payment |
| qualify for a special price or a discount. This is our | | | | schedule, start date and estimated completion date. |
| way to encourage our new clients to recommend us | | | | Keep in mind that: |
| to others, if they are happy with our services. | | | | -when project involves installation of your own wood |
| 4. Call local hardwood flooring businesses and ask for | | | | or refinishing of an existing floor, the contractor may |
| installation prices. | | | | ask you for a small booking deposit. This is to secure |
| Keep in mind that: | | | | a date for your project. That deposit should not |
| -wood prices remain the same, or very similar | | | | exceed 10% of the total cost of the project. This |
| through the area, during specific time period | | | | deposit is usually not refundable if you cancel the job |
| -most companies and all hardwood stores, as well as | | | | or want to reschedule at the last minute. |
| the big warehouses like Rona or Home Depot, hire | | | | -when wood order is required, you may be asked to |
| sub-contractors for actual installation and finishing | | | | provide an amount to cover the cost of wood |
| jobs. It means, that you may compare offers or | | | | entirely, prior to wood order placement. This is |
| quotes from three different stores, but contractors | | | | because many wood manufacturers do not accept |
| coming to your home to install your floor are working | | | | returns of opened boxes, and there is always a |
| for all three. In fact, this contractor is the one | | | | substantial restocking charge, if returns are allowed. |
| person, who can get you best deal on the cost of | | | | The contractor is placing an order on your behalf and |
| your project... | | | | for your job specifically. If you change your mind |
| -many hardwood flooring store owners, never | | | | after order placement there is not much that can be |
| installed or refinished hardwood floors. They really on | | | | done with the wood purchased for your project. |
| an army of flooring subcontractors and their practical | | | | It does happen, unfortunately. Contractors need a |
| knowledge to run their business. | | | | little protection as well... especial in times when wood |
| -small, family owned flooring business, offer the same | | | | prices are substantial. No one wants to get stuck |
| products, same warranties, and usually much better | | | | with $10,000.00 worth of wood. If you are not |
| prices on installation. Do not forget to call them too, | | | | convinced, you may choose to purchase the wood |
| you will probably end up with them working on your | | | | yourself directly from the supplier, however, the price |
| floor anyway, even if you hire a bigger company to | | | | will be higher, then this offered by your contractor. If |
| do the job. So contact them directly, you will be | | | | such deposit is required, and if you agree to it, you |
| nicely surprised with the quotes they provide. | | | | should receive a receipt for the amount of deposit. |
| 5. Alocate some time for prospective professional | | | | No other deposits should be required, and contractor |
| contractors to come in, and provide a free, written | | | | should not ask for any other payments until entire |
| estimate. You should arrange to have 3 to 5 quotes. | | | | project is finished. You may feel uneasy with this |
| They all should be free and in writing. The prices | | | | type of arrangement, it is understandable, this is |
| should be guaranteed for at least 30 days from the | | | | when you should consider a contractor that was |
| date of an estimate, and any payment terms should | | | | specifically recommended to you. You will have an |
| be on the document. Please remember that: | | | | easier time trusting such person. |
| -if you expect to meet the actual professional that | | | | Please remember, that when you are working with |
| will be working on your floor, do not be offended | | | | recommended individual, or reputable company, well |
| that he can not come over to do the estimate at 9 | | | | established in your community, your risk does virtually |
| in the morning... He is usually on the job, working. | | | | not exist. Why? Because the risk of not satisfying |
| Evening hours may be busy for you, but you both | | | | your needs and expectations of our clients (you) is |
| should be able to come to a mutual time agreement. | | | | not worth taking. |
| 6. Questions to ask potential contractors: | | | | During our 12 years in business we had two unhappy |
| -time frame of the project | | | | clients. For different reasons, we were not able to |
| -wood delivery procedure | | | | satisfy their expectations ourselves, so their money |
| -wood acclamation period | | | | was refunded, and another professional was |
| -warranties offered | | | | recommended to complete the job. In the end the |
| -project stages | | | | jobs were done the way the clients expected, we |
| -furniture protection | | | | lost some money but our reputation was unspoiled, |
| -noise levels | | | | because of the way that we handled an uneasy |
| -dust levels | | | | situation. It is always in the best interest of the |
| -dust containment systems | | | | business to keep their clients happy, otherwise we |
| -clean up procedures | | | | would not be in business... It's as simple as that. |
| -varnish options | | | | So take your time, go through the process of |
| -specific products used and how long do they last | | | | choosing your hardwood flooring contractors and |
| -professionals experience in years | | | | make an educated decision. If you do, you will be |
| -references from recent jobs | | | | happy with the progress of the project as well as |
| -liability insurance | | | | the final results. Hasty decisions, on the other hand |
| -payment options and terms | | | | may cost you a lot of time, money and grief. |