At SVB Wood Floors, we know that hiring the right contractor is critical in getting the home of your dreams. So what exactly should you look for in a hardwood floor contractor? The experts at SVB Wood Floors have created this checklist to help you make the most informed decision. Make sure to ask these 15 questions before you hire any hardwood flooring company:

1. Does the Contractor Have a Proper Business Liability Policy in Place?

Any legitimate wood flooring contractor should have a liability policy in place. SVB Wood Floor Service, Inc. carries a 2 million dollar general liability policy. We do not have any claims in our company history and a copy of this policy is also available upon request. We also maintain an active workers’ compensation policy and have had no claims in our company history. This policy is also available upon request.

2. Does the Contractor Use Subcontractors? If So, Do They Have Proper Insurance Policies?

Hiring a company that uses subcontractors means you may be unsure of their qualifications. At SVB Wood Floors, we don’t subcontract our work. All of our trusted technicians are in-house, uniformed personnel. Each crew has an assigned crew leader, who has been through multiple years of training, before being placed into this lead position.

3. Is the Contractor a Member of the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association)?

The SVB team currently holds multiple certifications with the NWFA for installation, sanding and finishing, sales advising, environmental awareness, and craftsman degrees. Additionally, SVB’s owner, Steve Brattin, is a NWFA board member and holds positions on NWFA committees.

Related Read: SVB Wood Floors Wins 2016 Wood Floor of the Year Award from NWFA

4. What Industry Technical Training and Accreditation Have They Received?

In an industry that is constantly making advancements, it’s important to choose a contractor who values keeping up with the latest certifications and accreditations. SVB and its employees are certified with the Bona Certified Craftsman Program. Installation, sanding/finishing techniques, and skills are updated at annual Surfaces, Bona BCCP and NWFA conventions, along with other training classes offered throughout the year by these organizations.

5. What Kind of Warranty Does the Contractor Offer?

Hardwood flooring is a big investment, so make sure you choose a contractor who’s got your back. We offer a warranty for the period of one year for the materials and workmanship we supply. A copy of this warranty is available upon request.

6. Does the Contractor Offer Customer Care for the Life of Your Floor?

Sure, a contractor can get the job done, but are they qualified to maintain your floors beyond installation? SVB offers the following methods of care for the life of your floor.

• Installation
• Sanding/Staining/Finishing
• Dustless Refinishing
• Maintenance Coats
• Deep Cleaning
• Restoration and Repairs
• Water Damage Repairs
• Commercial Flooring Services
  

7. Where Does the Contractor Obtain the Flooring Materials? What Steps Are Followed to Ensure the Flooring Is Acclimated Properly to Our Region?

Get to the source of your wood floors. It’s important that contractors know where materials come from and know how to properly acclimate them to our region. SVB obtains all of its materials from reputable mills and wholesalers who kiln dry and warehouse the product to meet the demands of the MO & KS climates. All wood flooring received by SVB is dated upon arrival and checked for proper moisture readings. The material is then stored in our warehouse to ensure it has been acclimated to the Midwest region and is ready for installation.

8. What Process Is Used for Dust Mitigation?

Nobody wants the stress of a dusty mess once your wood floors have been installed, which is why SVB uses a state-of-the-art dust extraction system which evacuates the dust from your home to our trailer-mounted Bona containment system.

These units are very powerful and generate 99.8% less dust than traditional methods, which makes the process much more convenient. Plus, with this state-of-the-art system, there is no need for sealing off doorways and you won’t be left cleaning dust particles for months to come.

9. Is the Exact Type of Stain and Finish Specified on the Estimate?

It’s important to have options, but even more important to have the highest quality options. SVB specifies the exact type of finishes available on all projects. All finishes are not created equal, and SVB only uses the best on the market, which is included in our price.

Related Read: Don’t Settle for Just Any Stain Color: All About SVB’s Process

10. Is the Moisture Content of the Materials and Relative Humidity of the Environment Logged and Monitored as Set Forth by the NWFA Guidelines?

SVB logs and monitors the moisture content of the wood when it is delivered and verifies that the materials are acclimated properly for your job site before installation begins. SVB also logs and monitors the relative humidity of your job site.

Related Read: Top Tips to Prevent Moisture from Damaging Your Hardwood Floors

11. Is the Contractor Willing to Compromise Acclimation to Accommodate Your Schedule?

Acclimation is a critical step in the process of installing hardwood floors. It lessens the chances of gapping and other problems down the road. While we do everything possible to meet our clients’ demands and deadlines, we will never compromise the acclimation process as it is a necessary step in the process and should not be skipped.

12. Does the Contractor Provide You with Cleaning Products and Cleaning Care Instructions?

SVB will provide you with a complete Bona Floor cleaning kit and care instructions at the end of your project. Also, we sell a variety of Bona cleaning and maintenance products and services to keep your floors looking their best for years to come. Each floor completed by SVB is registered and certified with the Bona Certified Craftsman Program.

Related Read: 8 Tips for Moving Heavy Objects without Scratching your Hardwood Floors

Make sure you do your homework before hiring a hardwood floor company to repair, refinish, or install your hardwood floors. Give us a call at (816) 965-8655 or schedule an appointment online today!

Hardwood floors deplete forests, right? Wrong! This is a myth believed by many, but the facts say otherwise. Wood is a renewable resource and according to the USDA Forest Service, harvesting trees has “minimal environmental impact.” They report that for every cubic foot of trees harvested, 1.66 cubic feet are regrown. And while it’s true that it takes decades for a tree to mature, the inventory planted today won’t be needed for over 100 years.

In fact, since 1953, the inventory of standing hardwood in the U.S. has grown by more than 90% and is currently estimated at 328 billion cubic feet. So what are some of the other environmental benefits of choosing hardwood floors? Here are just a few:

At SVB, we believe the difference is in the details. Find out more about our installation process and how we earned 2016 Wood Floor of the Year.

Wood Is Carbon Neutral

Wood produces oxygen while it’s growing and stores carbon during its service as lumber for building homes, or as furniture, flooring, etc. In addition, production of hardwood flooring causes minimal emission of carbon dioxide, and no emission of other particulates that contribute to global warming such as methane and nitrogen oxide. Furthermore, wood floor production uses less water and energy than is required to produce other types of flooring.

Wood Floors Last Longer

According to the National Association of Home Builders, because hardwood flooring can potentially last hundreds of years, it won’t need replacing nearly as often as other flooring options. Plus, at the end of its life, hardwood flooring can be burned for fuel or recycled into other useful products.

Related Read: Flooring Options: Which Is Best for ROI?

Better Indoor Air Quality

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air quality is much better with hardwood floors. This is echoed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), who say that hardwood floors are an “ideal choice for people suffering from allergies or asthma.”

There are so many practical, environmentally sound reasons, apart from its warmth and beauty, why hardwood flooring is the number one flooring choice of homeowners across America.

Related Read: Allergies That Won’t Go Away? Your Carpet May Be The Culprit

Have more questions? Contact us online or give us a call today at (816) 965-8655. Big or small, we’d love to help with your next hardwood flooring project.

Your hardwood floors are a big investment, but a wise one that can pay you back by providing years of beauty, and by adding substantially to the resale value of your home. Like any other home investment, they require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. You choose cleaners specially formulated to preserve their finish, and keep water to a minimum in caring for them, but have you taken steps to protect them from the damage caused by sun exposure? The team at SVB Wood Floors has some tips to share on protecting your wood floors from the sun.

Too Much Sun = Major Fading for Your Wood Floors

Just as too much sun exposure can damage your skin, too much sunlight can also wreak havoc on your hardwood floors! Over time, sunlight can fade and discolor your floors, and even cause warping in more severe cases. To see if your floors are fading from the sun, pick a room with maximum sun exposure and lift the corner of a rug or a piece of furniture to assess the difference in color. This will show you just how much damage your floors have encountered from the sun.

Fortunately, there are some simple and effective steps you can take to prevent sun damage from occurring in the first place. Here’s a few tips on how to prevent the sun from fading your hardwood floors:

1. Close the Blinds: Too much sun can be a bad thing, which is why you should close blinds, shades or draperies during the daytime. If you currently don’t have window coverings, make this relatively inexpensive investment as soon as possible — your floors will thank you!

2. Consider Window Tinting: UV resistant tinted windows will also do the job. If you’re installing new windows, look seriously as this option. You can also have UV tinting applied to existing windows.

3. Try Landscaping Near Windows: Plant trees or shrubs in front of windows to help block the rays. (Bonus: They’ll also add beauty and interest to the outside of your house!)

4. Rotate Your Furniture: Doing this won’t completely stop sun damage, but it will help slow down the fading of furniture by balancing out the amount of time different areas are exposed to sun. An added benefit of rearranging is it will also bring new life to the room!

Too Late for Damage Control?

If your floors have already been damaged beyond repair, there’s no need to worry! The professionals at SVB Wood Floors can bring your floors back to their original gleaming beauty.  

We employ a superior, dust-free sanding and refinishing system that guarantees a gorgeous result every time. We recently won the 2016 Wood Floor of the Year award from the National Wood Flooring Association and we’re ready to apply our expertise to your project, no matter the size or scope!

Related Read: FAQ: Can You Match My Wood Floors?

Check out our website and see how SVB Wood Floors can bring your tired wood floors back to life again. Also, take a look at our blog for tips and tricks regarding all things hardwood flooring.