So, you’ve picked out your new flooring and have a date set for your installation. What’s next? While every job is unique, there are a few things you can do that will help your job go smoothly.
Prepare Your Space
Prior to installation it is helpful to have the space prepped and ready to go. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Moving your furniture/appliances: More often than not customers will ask that the installers move large items in rooms where flooring is being installed. This is typically discussed prior to installation and billed into the contract at either a flat rate per room, or per piece. If it is not in your contract and you request the installers assistance on-site, you may incur additional charges.
- Remove your bedding and store it in a separate area.
- Clear items from the tops of dressers and shelves.
- Empty bookcases and shelves of their contents.
- Remove dresser drawers: This is not a necessity, but does make it easier to move. As an added bonus, putting everything back will be much quicker.
- Pick everything up off the floor: Clothes, shoes, trash, etc. You’ll want to make sure these things are all picked up and out of sight. Don’t forget underneath your bed.
- Ensure your closets are prepped: Closets often get overlooked, but if you’re planning to replace those floors too you want to make sure they are free of clutter and that all low hanging articles of clothing are out of the way, leaving enough room for your installer to work.
- Remove any wall art, curtains, blinds, and drapes: Installation can cause vibrations in your home; you don’t want to take the chance that your decor could fall off the wall and break. Additionally, the installation process can stir up all kinds of dust and dirt. Removing your curtains, blinds, and drapes will help keep them clean and dust free!
- Disconnect all electronics and/or appliances: Televisions and the accompanying devices should be unplugged and disconnected from one another. If you are having work done in a kitchen or laundry room, be sure to disconnect all appliances from their respective source. When disconnecting natural gas appliances, use an abundance of caution to ensure against leaks or hire a professional for this purpose.
- Clean your floors: It may seem counterintuitive to clean the floor that you are getting rid of, but vacuuming the carpet and sweeping and mopping the hard surfaces will help keep dust and debris at a minimum during extraction.
In addition to ensuring that the room is prepped before your installation begins, there are a couple of other things to keep in mind.
- Make sure there is adequate parking for your installer: If you have a driveway, please leave room for their van and equipment. If only street parking is available, try to leave the spots closest to your home open. Being able to easily access tools and equipment is vital to helping the job go quickly and smoothly.
- Clear a path: Installers will be carrying large, heavy materials into your home; be sure to have a walkway cleared so that they can easily maneuver through your space.
- Keep small children and pets out of the home whenever possible: Flooring installation can be a messy and sometimes a dangerous job. Power tools, knives, debris, and precarious conditions can make for a dangerous environment. It’s best to take your children and pets off-site during the installation whenever possible. If you are unable to do so, restrict them to safe areas outside of the workspace.
Once you have checked everything off your prep list, you’re ready to go for installation! Feel free to check in with your installer and ask any questions you may have throughout the installation process. At County Flooring, we know having installers in your home can disrupt your lifestyle. We pride ourselves in offering quick, professional installation so that you can enjoy your new floors with less hassle.
