What Should You Look for in a Flooring Installer
The installer you hire matters as much as the flooring you choose. A skilled professional can give you a floor that looks good and lasts.
But with so many installers to choose from, how do you find the right one for your project?
Knowing what to look for makes the decision much easier. Here are the key factors to check before you hire:
- Get Samples of the Installer’s Work
- Look for Customer Testimonials
- Find Out About Their Experience
- Learn About Their Warranty
- Ask About Certifications and Licenses
- Consider Their Communication Skills
Do you know what to look for when hiring a flooring contractor? Obviously, you want an installer who can deliver high-quality results that will last, even with sustained use. But how do you select the right person for the job? Do you know the right questions to ask when getting new flooring?
Here are 6 key factors to consider before making your decision:
1. Get Samples of the Installer’s Work
At the outset, you’ll want to ask to see a representative sample of the installer’s previous work. Can the flooring company or installer refer you to previous customers? Take the opportunity to talk to at least one or two previous customers to ask how happy they were with the work that was done. This can confirm the outcome you can expect for your project.
If you’ve been referred to a customer who’s local, then ask if you can visit the job site and see, first-hand, the installer’s work. If there are no local customers, you can request to see photos. Nothing beats a real-life visual of what to expect.
2. Look for Customer Testimonials
Do your research! You’d be surprised at how much you can learn online about a particular flooring installer if you’re willing to do a little homework. Look for Google, Facebook, or Yelp reviews. Check for Better Business Bureau reports or complaints. What can you learn about them on LinkedIn?
The decision about which flooring installer you should hire is made much easier by carefully considering 6 important factors.
While you aren’t necessarily guaranteed to learn a lot this way, it is possible that you may run across a critical piece of information that would affect your final decision.
3. Find Out About Their Experience
It probably goes without saying that hiring someone with years of experience greatly increases the odds of a job well done. This doesn’t necessarily mean just anyone with a ton of flooring experience. You’re looking for someone with experience installing the specific type of flooring you want. It does no good to hire someone who’s installed a lot of vinyl flooring if your heart is set on a hardwood floor.
Also, remember to ask how long they’ve been in business. A company that has been around for many years has usually built up a record of satisfied customers, which means you’re likely to find plenty of online reviews. Plus, they should be able to provide several good references.
4. Learn About Their Warranty
New flooring is a big investment, so read the fine print. What’s the length of the flooring manufacturer’s warranty? What’s included? What might void the warranty? And does the installer offer their own warranty on workmanship?
Beyond that, you should also ask about the steps they’ll take upfront to help prevent problems in the first place. If you’re getting a wood floor, ask about crucial steps such as acclimation of the wood and the use of moisture meters. If the installation will be over a concrete subfloor, ask what testing they do to evaluate the moisture condition of the concrete before installation, such as relative humidity testing. And in the unlikely case that an issue does arise after the installation, what’s their approach to dealing with problems and making sure you remain a happy customer?
5. Ask About Certifications and Licenses
If the installer has specific certifications related to the type of flooring job you’re hiring them for, this is a good indication of their knowledge and skill level. So, be sure to ask about this. You might also want to ask about their memberships in industry associations, such as the National Wood Flooring Association or others.
Licensing requirements for flooring contractors vary by state, so ask whether the installer holds any license your state requires and whether they carry liability insurance. Don’t just assume. If a general contractor is involved, make sure they are licensed and insured, too. Ask the installer how much insurance they carry. You might even ask to see a copy of the policy.
6. Consider Their Communication Skills
If you do your homework and ask the installer a lot of questions related to the job, such as “Where do you source your flooring materials?” or “Do you use green-certified products?”, you’ll get a very good sense of your installer’s communication skills.
If you ask lots of questions about the job, you’ll get a very good sense of whether you and your installer can communicate easily with one another.
Bonus tip: Ask about additional costs, such as removing old flooring, moving furniture, or repairing the subfloor, so there are no surprises on the final bill. Our guide to flooring installation costs covers what to expect.
If you and your flooring installer communicate easily with one another, you can be more confident that the job will be performed to your specifications. It also means that if questions, problems, or issues arise at any time during the installation process or even afterward, you and your installer will be able to talk things through and arrive at a reasonable resolution.
And of course, if the flooring contractor you are considering can answer each of your questions clearly and thoughtfully, you can know that they are truly knowledgeable about their trade. Ultimately, all of this helps build trust that you’ll receive a job well done.
Building Confidence for Your Decision
There you have it: 6 factors that you’ll want to pay close attention to when making your decision about which flooring installer to hire.
Sometimes a decision may boil down to a certain “chemistry” or gut instinct that you feel about a specific individual or flooring business. But if you’ve also done your research and the installer you’re considering scores well on all 6 factors, you can be confident that you’re making a good hiring decision for your flooring project.
If you’re a flooring installer and want some more tips on things to consider when quoting a flooring job, read our article or watch the video.
Jason Wright, Business Development Specialist for New Products, joined Wagner Meters in 2019. He comes to Wagner with over 35 years of experience in the flooring industry.
Last updated on October 13th, 2026
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