Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Hardwood Flooring Installation
Hardwood Flooring Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Hardwood Flooring Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Hardwood Flooring Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Hardwood Flooring Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Hardwood Flooring Installation labor cost? What are the important Hardwood Flooring Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Hardwood Flooring Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Hardwood Flooring Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Hardwood Flooring Installation expect to pay between $1.86 to $2.93 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Hardwood Flooring Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Hardwood Flooring Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Hardwood Flooring Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Hardwood Flooring Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the wood flooring may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Hardwood Flooring Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Hardwood Flooring Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Hardwood Flooring Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Hardwood Flooring Installation work? | This work can be completed in 1 to 2 days. |
Hardwood Flooring Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Hardwood Flooring Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Hardwood Flooring Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All wood flooring from the same manufacturers lot
- A detailed wood flooring layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the wood flooring meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- Stagger wood flooring joint ends in adjacent courses in a (choose one): __uniform ___random pattern, with no joint ends in adjacent courses closer than 1/4 the typical wood flooring length
- Ceiling and wall cutouts will be neat, uniform and no larger than necessary; any air gaps around the cutout(s) will be insulated and sealed; the cutout(s) will not be visible when cover plates are installed
- The wood flooring surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
- All wood flooring seam / joint location(s) must be approved before work begins; typically, seams should not be located in areas of high traffic exposure, visual prominence or bright lighting
- Installed wood flooring surface variations along a 4 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/16 inch - from any location along any direction
- All wood flooring edge seams will be concealed completely under base molding; the molding will be straight to within 1/8 inch in 10 feet and rest flush directly on top of wood flooring
- The wood flooring will be solidly attached and not slide, rock, twist or move when used
- Finished wood flooring will not shift, squeak or creak when walked upon
Hardwood Flooring Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Hardwood Flooring Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the wood flooring work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of wood flooring, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order wood flooring; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of wood flooring; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Review material choices for Hardwood Flooring Installation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Acclimate wood flooring to typical indoor temperature and humidity for no less than 3 days prior to installation
- Store wood flooring in a secure, dry location that is fully protected from the elements prior to installation
- Secure subfloor to framing; eliminate squeaks and soft spots
- Install wood flooring using blind nailed, manufacturer recommended flooring nails, per manufacturer nailing specifications and applicable local building code(s)
- Apply a smooth, even coat/layer of underlayment
- Install wood flooring to fit closely around fixtures and fittings
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Submit final payment in exchange for signed lien release; final payment amount should be adjusted for excess material to be returned and tasks not performed; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
