Installation Preparing for the Unexpected – Part 1

If you’re like most people, you purchase some sort of new flooring every 7 or 8 years. Our industry is no different than any other in the fact that technology is changing products rapidly. New innovative products are installed much differently than their predecessors. We certainly try our best to educate our customers on what to expect the day of installation, but I think we tend to take a lot for granted because we do it every day. Let me share with you a few things I think will make your installation day a go little smoother.

Prepare. Installation of most flooring materials involves one or more of the following; Large, long, heavy rolls – heavy boxes – hammering – loud noises – odors – limited access to some areas of the home – furniture moving – need for water and electricity.

Think about the route the installers will use to carry the material and their tools from the truck into the house. Is it clear of objects and debris? Has snow and ice been cleared? Have you cleared away all personal and breakable items from both the top and inside of the furniture to be moved? Have you made ample room in adjacent rooms to accommodate the furniture to be moved? If new flooring is going into closets, make sure there is nothing hanging within 4’ of the floor. Pictures hanging on the walls in or adjacent to the room being worked in are in jeopardy of falling. Vibration from floor sanders can knock things ajar even in a finished space below. Refrigerators need to be moved during a kitchen floor install so make sure there are no open containers or things that could leak out if tipped.

I could go on and on, but the best advice I can give you is to ask. Call your salesperson a day or two before the install if you’re not sure about something. More importantly, spend a few minutes going over things with the installers. Your salesperson does his best to translate your wishes and concerns to the installers, but you know how that whole thing goes when instructions are passed from ear to ear!

A few minutes of talking about expectations can go a long way to insure that all involved are comfortable and happy with the process and outcome. For example; the last 47 customers that had ceramic tile installed requested a narrow grout joint. However, your neighbor just had tile installed and you loved the way it looked with a wider grout. If nothing is discussed between you and the installer, you would expect one thing and the installer would expect you’d want what the last 47 customers wanted. See what I mean!

 

View Part 2 – of Installation, Preparing for the Unexpected