Questions To Ask When Shopping For Flooring

By Author: David Haloossim
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You can ensure that your visit to a showroom or store or a discussion with a salesperson on the phone goes as smoothly as possible by following a few simple steps.

The first and most important step is to know what you're shopping for. That being said, you don't even need to have a final product in mind but you need to know the space in which you plan to install that product.

Make sure you've surveyed the room you plan to refloor. You may even want to make a sketch of the room, including dimensions and the placement of windows, doorways, floor vents and cabinets. This will give you the ability to speak in three-dimensional terms with the salesperson or craftsman.

You will also want to think about the room itself. How frequently is it used and for what purposes? Are there entryways from other rooms or from the outside of your home that connect to this room? Are there closets that will need to be refloored at the same time you complete the flooring in this room?

You may want to consider taking color samples of the furniture and other decor already in the room, if you plan to leave the decor the same ...
... and only refloor the area. Additional consideration should be given to the lighting in the room so that you can discuss this aspect of the mood of the room with the salesperson as well. Is there natural light in the area or do you have floor lamps, accent lighting or track lighting in this room?

Once you have thoroughly surveyed your space, you will be well armed to discuss the real details of your project with a salesperson. There are a number of essential topics you should cover during the sales discussions, and you should only purchase your flooring from a company that is capable of acceptably addressing all of your concerns.

The first matter at hand will be the durability or performance level of your new flooring. How long will the flooring last? Is it made to withstand heavy foot traffic? What about its ability to hold up under more rigorous usage from children or pets?

The appearance or style of your flooring will be close to the top of your list, as it should be with any home remodeling project. If you plan to keep the current decor of the room and only replace the flooring, you will want to ensure the new flooring blends well with all existing furnishings, lighting, decorations, and color schemes.

If you are creating a new room, from the floor up, then your canvas is currently bare. You and the salesperson can discuss the details of meshing the flooring with complementary colors, textures and lighting to establish the room of your dreams.

Be sure to cover all the basics but also dive into discussions regarding the completion of the project. All the talking in the world in the showroom cannot compare to having an in-home estimate completed prior to beginning a remodeling project, and you'll want to know if the company charges to complete that in-home estimate. If they do charge for the estimate, find out if that cost eventually applies to the cost of the completed project or if the charges for the estimate remain separate.

Find out if you can take home samples from the showroom. Knowing what the flooring will look like in your home environment is important. Showrooms are designed with special lighting and other structural features that make products look very different from how they will actually appear in your home. You'll want to know what your options really look like at home before making any final decisions.

Once you've made your choices regarding the perfect flooring for your space, you'll want to get into the nitty-gritty details about what type of underflooring or underlayment will be needed for your new floor. Discuss warranty options with the sales staff and make sure you fully understand the installation process.

You should find out as much as you can about the installation project and the completion date. Know who is responsible for moving the furniture and appliances that are currently in your room. Determine if the condition of the current floor in the room is going to affect your final cost, and who is responsible for the removal of the current flooring to make way for the new floor. There may be an additional charge for the removal and disposal of the current flooring and if so, you'll want to know that in advance of starting your project.

Finally, you should set a date for the completion of the work. Be sure to find out how quickly the project will be completed following the placement of your order. Determine if you are responsible for moving all items back into the room after the new floor is in place or if the installation crew assists in the process.
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