Thinking of getting hardwood floors or having your hardwood floors refinished? Who should you hire to do the job? There are a lot of companies in Kansas City who install hardwood floors. How do you know which one will do the best job? The wood floor experts at SVB Wood Floors have a lot of experience with customers. We know the things that make them happy. Over the years, we’ve heard the reasons they weren’t happy with other companies, so we decided to put together a list of critical questions to ask your wood floor company before hiring them.
Are They Bonded, Licensed & Insured?
Ask to see proof that the company is bonded, licensed, and insured. Every company should have a license to practice in the state and city in which they work. Making sure they are insured protects you against any liability in case of an accident or if someone gets hurt on the job.
How Long Has This Flooring Company Been in Business?
Choose a company that has been in business for at least a year. Otherwise, you could get a fly-by-night company that does a bad job, doesn’t finish the job or skips town altogether. The longer they have been in business, the more experience their employees will have.
What Is Their Availability/Schedule for Your Wood Floor Project?
You want to get a contract in writing that spells out how long the project should take so you have an idea of when your wood floors will be finished.
Do They Use Employees or Subcontractors to Install Your Wood Floor?
Subcontractors typically don’t take the same amount of pride in their work because their name isn’t on the line. If the company uses their own employees, chances are they will work to meet certain standards set forth by the owner whose reputation is at stake.
Do They Move Furniture?
Installing new flooring requires furniture moving. Do they provide this service or is it up to you to find movers? If they provide the service, make sure it is included in their quote?
What Kind of Warranties/Guarantees Do They Offer?
Make sure the company you hire offers a guarantee so you have something in writing to hold them accountable to if you’re not happy with the product or service once it’s finished. Most reputable companies offer some form of warranty because they ultimately want happy customers and will make the work right if they aren’t happy.
Do They Specialize in Wood Floors or Do They Install All Kinds of Flooring?
Companies that install all kinds of flooring may not do a bad job, but a company that specializes in wood floors is more likely to have employees who specialize in wood floors as well. More experience means a better finished product.
Do They Offer Plenty of Wood Floor Choices?
Wood floors come with many decisions – species of wood, plank width, pre-finished or site finished, solid wood or manufactured wood, color of stain, type of finish, manufacturer, price, etc. Make sure your company explains all of your choices and the pros and cons of each.
Do They Provide Upfront Pricing in Writing?
Wood floors are an investment. Make sure you don’t get nickeled and dimed after starting the project by getting a written price quote before any work begins.
Do They Use a Dustless Sanding Method for Wood Floor Refinishing?
If you are having a wood floor refinished, ask if they have dustless refinishing The old method is messy and requires you to vacate your home. Dustless sanding is much better because all of the dust is sucked into a container outside your home.
Related Read: Do I Have To Move Out Of My Home When Refinishing My Hardwood Floors?
Will They Provide References?
This is maybe the most important question of all. Any company who is not willing to provide references from previous customers is not trustworthy. You should be able to get the names of two or three previous customers to make sure they were satisfied with the work provided. Also check BBB, Angie’s List, Yelp, etc. for ratings and reviews.
We hope this helps you when choosing wood floor company for your project. It is important to find the right company by asking the right questions. If you have any questions about wood floor refinishing, repair, or installation not covered here, feel free to call SVB Wood Floors at (913) 213-5187 or (816) 965-8655.
