Hiring Hardwood Flooring Contractors: The Ultimate Guide

Hiring professional hardwood flooring contractors is the most critical step to ensure your new hardwood floors have a timeless style and a lifetime of durability. While it may seem like a straightforward job, a proper flooring installation requires deep expertise, from subfloor preparation to managing moisture levels.

A full-service flooring installation team handles everything from the initial in-home consultation to complex damage repair. This guide covers what they do, what to look for, and how to get started.

What Do Hardwood Flooring Contractors Do?

Professional hardwood flooring contractors are specialized craftsmen. They don't just lay planks; they manage the entire lifecycle of your wood flooring.

Their remodeling services typically include:

• New Floor Installation: This includes traditional solid wood flooring that requires custom on-site finishing (sanding and staining) and the installation of prefinished hardwood floors.

• Alternative Flooring: Many contractors also handle laminate installation and the increasingly popular luxury vinyl plank (LVP), giving you a range of flooring options.

• Damage Repair: This is a key service. They can fix issues like squeaky or warped hardwood floors, replace boards, and perform water damage hardwood floor repairs.

• Refinishing: Sanding down your old, scratched hardwood floors and applying new hardwood stains to make them look brand new.

• Trim Work: A quality contractor finishes the job by installing new baseboards, shoe molding, or even crown molding to complete the room's design possibilities.

When to Hire a Pro for Repair Services

While a simple cleaning and maintenance routine can keep floors looking good, some issues demand a professional.

• Scratched Hardwood Floors: For deep scratches that go through the finish, a professional can often isolate the repair or perform a screen-and-recoat.

• Squeaky or Warped Hardwood Floors: This is almost always a sign of a subfloor or moisture issue. Warping happens when the wood expands or contracts due to humidity. According to the USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FDL), wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it naturally absorbs and releases moisture from the air. A contractor must fix the root cause, not just the board.

• Water Damage: If you have water damage on hardwood floors (cupping, buckling, or black stains), a contractor is needed immediately to assess if the boards can be saved or need to be replaced.

The Installation Process: What to Expect

A professional, customer-first approach follows a clear process, so you are never in the dark.

• The In-Home Consultation: A specialist will visit your home for a measurement appointment. They will bring flooring samples so you can see how different wood floor stain colors and materials look in your home's light.

• The Flooring Estimate: You will receive a detailed quote that breaks down the cost of materials, labor, and any extra trim work. This is the time to ask about easy financing options.

• Preparation: The crew will prepare the subfloor, ensuring it is clean, level, and dry. This is the most important step for a long-lasting floor installation.

• Installation and Finishing: The team installs the floor. If you choose unfinished wood flooring, this is when they will handle the custom on-site finishing (sanding, staining, and sealing).

• Final Walkthrough: The contractor will walk you through the finished project to ensure you are completely satisfied.

Choosing Your Hardwood Flooring Options

Your contractor will likely present several flooring options. Here’s a quick comparison of the most popular choices.

How to Vet Your Hardwood Flooring Contractor

Your floors are a major investment. Before hiring, do your homework. A quick online search for "hardwood flooring contractors near me" is a good start, but you must vet those results.

Ask for Certification

Look for hardwood flooring contractors who are certified. Organizations like the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) offer a Certified Professional program that requires contractors to pass rigorous testing.

Check Licenses and Insurance

This is non-negotiable. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides a detailed guide on hiring contractors, emphasizing the need to get written contracts and check for insurance.

Get It in Writing

A professional flooring estimate will be itemized. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) advises that a clear, detailed contract is a sign of a reputable professional.

Mr. Remodel Tip: Don't just hire a "name." While local business owners build great reputations, always vet the specific team working on your home.

FAQs About Hardwood Floors

What's the best cleaning and maintenance routine?

For most hardwood floors, avoid wet mops. A dry microfiber mop is best for daily dust. For deeper cleans, use a pH-neutral cleaner specifically recommended by your floor's manufacturer to protect the finish.

How do I choose from all the wood floor stain colors?

Never choose a stain from a tiny chip. A good contractor will test several of your top hardwood stains directly on a small, sanded patch of your actual floor so you can see how it looks in your home's lighting.

Is it better to refinish or replace my old hardwood floors? 

This depends on the condition of your wood flooring. A professional hardwood flooring contractor can assess the damage and give you the best recommendation.

• Refinish if the damage is mostly cosmetic, such as scratched hardwood floors, a dull finish, or minor stains. Solid hardwood can typically be sanded and refinished 4-7 times.

• Replace if the floor has structural problems, such as widespread water damage, severe warping, or if the planks are too thin from multiple previous sandings. According to a guide from the FPL, once wood has structural damage like rot or warping, it must be replaced.

Find Your Flooring Professional Today

Whether you need a new floor installation or damage repair for squeaky or warped hardwood floors, the right contractor is key to protecting your home's value and timeless style. Finding that pro shouldn't be a gamble.

Typing "hardwood flooring contractor near me" into a search bar can return dozens of results, but how do you know who is licensed, reviewed, and reliable?

Mr. Remodel connects you to our vast network of trusted professionals who are licensed, reviewed, and reliable, so you can have peace of mind. Our process is quick and easy. We'll connect you with local pros for a free evaluation. It's a no-obligation service allowing you to compare quotes at your own pace without any pressure and without any commitment.

Get your free flooring estimate from a trusted pro today!