General Helpful Tips for Installation Day
The following information is a checklist of items to prepare your home for your new flooring. Proper preparation helps the installation go smoothly and efficiently. This information sheet is to prevent surprises that cause unhappy customers. Policies will vary for every different contractor so please check with them.
Preparation For Installation:
Before installation, empty all closets receiving the new floor covering; remove all items from underneath beds, remove bed coverings, fragile lamps, knickknacks, glassware from china cabinets, books from bookcases, any small furniture you can move and pictures on the walls. Disconnect all computers, stereos, TVs VCR equipment, or any other electrical equipment. Inform the measurer of all wires located under the carpet, such as alarm wires or system. Check for cable wore connections under existing floor covering (cable company may have to remove or disconnect). Before the installers arrive, complete other remodeling projects intended in the room, such as painting and wallpapering. Vacuum the old carpet to avoid the possibility of airborne dust and dirt. After the carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.
Crew Arrival:
The installation contractor will obviously need safe and ready access to the areas to be worked in. Safe meaning: no dogs, cats or other pets and no small children under foot. Windows should be uncovered for sufficient light. Generally things that may interfere with the work should be dealt with or discussed with the crew before arrival.
During Installation: Upon delivery, inspect the new flooring for proper color and to ensure that it is free of visible defects before it is installed.
It is the customers responsibility during installation to provide an adequate supply of fresh air, as with other renovation projects. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust fan, or operate the fan of your heating system or air conditioning system.
Excessive Furniture:
Additional charges may apply to areas with excessive amounts of furniture (i.e.,file cabinets, heavy equipment, storage boxes, wall units, sleeper sofas, four-poster beds, armories, etc.) Most contractors do not move antiques, grandfather clocks, gas stoves, and refrigerators with front door dispensers, aquariums, waterbeds, heavy pool tables, pianos, safes, computers, or electronic equipment of any kind. (Many of these items need to be professionally moved.).
Doors:
If you have purchased a thick wood flooring product or if a new subfloor is placed on top of an existing sub floor, you may need to arrange to have your doors trimmed to accommodate the new flooring height/floor level. Depending on your contractor, these services may not be provided. Check with them. If it is not provided, you may need to make arrangements to have this done by another contractor.
Secured Premises:
(Condominiums). Please check with your building management for parking accessibility and delivery times for your installation (such as, elevators, service entrances, front desk procedures, etc.)
Contractor require ready access- meaning someone at the work site when the crew gets there, (or a key provided a day ahead of time); Time is money! no obstructions in the way of getting tools into the work area; security badges if applicable; access to where the old flooring, carpet, or pad is to be placed for removal, (or reuse). [NOTE - If you wish to reuse any carpet that is to be pulled up, please make sure the contractor knows this before arrival, or they may well cut up the old carpet into manageable strips customary for disposal]
Un-forseen charges:
Additional charges may apply to installations when the take-up and removal of carpet or flooring are done. Water damage, urine soaked carpets, floors with structural damage, asbestos floors, etc., are not always detectable until the installation process has begun. If possibility, please advise the contractor.in advance of any known conditions.
Proper Power:
Make sure that adequate power, light, ventilation and heat will be available 24 hours before, and during, the installation. (This could be a concern on new home construction or an unoccupied structure).
Removal of existing Floor covering: If you have elected to not have the contractor remove your existing carpet or flooring, you must have this done before they arrive on your installation date. Expect minor touch up painting to be needed after Installation. Normal installation methods may slight scuff existing baseboards or walls. Contractors will use extreme care to minimize this.
Cleanup: All quality contactors will make a post-Installation inspection with you to guarantee your complete satisfaction. After the installation they will pick up all scrap materials. Surplus materials should be placed on your premises, where you request.
