In a nutshell, as you ask these relevant and in-depth, you can gauge the contractor’s ability to complete the flooring project effortlessly. With the answers, you can plan appropriately for the flooring project.

The actual process of installation (excluding all preparation steps) would take most homeowners three to four hours, with an extra one to two hours to wrap the flooring around cabinets and doorways.

Laminate flooring requires many tools and materials for installation. A lot of the items are cheap and can be purchased at most hardware stores.

You will also need tools such as goggles, a tape measure, drills, and a table or circular saw. If you do not have experience using electric saws, do not attempt to use them on your own for your safety. Many professionals supply their own tools and can cut the boards for you if you would like to complete the rest of the project on your own.

Measuring the length of the perpendicular walls of each room where the material will be used. One of the easiest ways to measure the lengths of your walls is using a standard tape measure, which will be the most accurate method. Then multiple those two numbers together to get the total square footage of the room. 

Repeat this process for every room, hallway, and area where you would like to install the flooring and then add all of them together. 

When determining the thickness of the laminate you need, it is helpful to ask a professional. Typical flooring options range between six and twelve millimeters and change the overall feel of the material underneath your feet. A thicker type feels like hardwood flooring and will be stronger and more durable over time, but thinner material is cheaper. Thicker varieties are additionally easier to install and have greater impact resistance.

However, thicker flooring might not work in your home, which is when a professional opinion is needed. Aside from thickness, the other variations in material are simply cosmetic with a few practical pros and cons.

You should remember that all laminate, regardless of its thickness and appearance, needs to be set out in the area where it will be installed for at least two to three days. This acclimation is necessary because the material is porous and will expand or shrink based on the environment’s humidity. You want your flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room, so the laminate’s size doesn’t change during construction.

This features planks and tiles that do not use any adhesive, nails, or other fixing mechanisms. Other common sorts will require the use of an industrial grade adhesive or wood glue to keep the material in place. A professional can help you determine which works the best in your home.

What is the flooring contractor’s Job Description?

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As it turns out, applying an epoxy floor coating is not an easy process as it may initially seem, and a seemingly simple mistake could undermine your entire investment.  

Here’s why it pays to hire an experienced epoxy flooring contractor:

Prevent costly errors

Epoxy flooring requires very careful surface preparation, and if it’s not done correctly, the coating may fail. For example, if the epoxy is applied on a floor that’s not cleaned properly or not at the right temperature, it can form unsightly bubbles or other deficiencies. Worse, the entire coating could fail to bond to the floor, compromising its strength and protection—meaning your floor is not much better off than before!

Better aesthetic results

Some types of epoxy require more than just the ability to spread a coat evenly. Not only do you want to avoid blisters or bubbles (see the point above), you also want someone who knows the medium well and knows how to apply straight lines and graphics that don’t bleed or smudge.

If you’re doing a special visual effect that takes artistic skill—such as applying a ripple, marble, or metallic design—you’ll want someone who can prove they’ve successfully done this many times before!

Reliable estimates and completion dates. 

As a business owner, you understand the high cost of downtime. The last thing you want is to expect a renovation project to be short and sweet, only for it to drag on for several extra days and incur one unexpected expense after another!

When you hire an experienced epoxy flooring contractor, you’re working with someone who has a realistic—instead of overly optimistic—view of how much time and labor the project is going to take. They’ll be able to spot potential complications ahead of time and work that into their estimate, instead of being surprised by them midway through.

So when comparing job estimates from different contractors, don’t go for the one who offers the lowest price. Instead, choose the one who considers all the details and errs on the side of caution—because the chances are they’ll be able to honor their word in the end.

Experienced epoxy flooring contractors understand exactly how to prepare flooring surfaces for the application of epoxy materials. Professional surface prep methods like diamond grinding performed by professional epoxy flooring contractors can provide a deeper level of preparation which extends service life.

Over the counter products are usually not as strong as the ones used in industrial applications. You can purchase an over the counter epoxy kit and do your own floors. They will look good and will last for a good while, but the industrial products and professional applications will be more durable and will last much longer.

Just like we sweat in hot and humid weather, concrete floors tend to “sweat” under humid and high temperature conditions. This leads to bad bonding of the epoxy over floors. Therefore, the manufacturer’s environmental requirements need to be strictly followed.

How to Save Money by Hiring a Flooring Contractor for Your Project?

How do flooring contractors fix sagging houses?

The post The Importance of Hiring Experienced Epoxy Flooring Contractors appeared first on Remodeling Heroes Design & Build.

Hardwood, laminate, carpet, tile, stone, and resilient products like vinyl or linoleum are just a few examples of floor coverings. Homeowners and building managers can hire a flooring contractor to prepare the subfloor for these floor coverings, as well as to refinish and repair existing floors. A flooring contractor may also be hired to restore a historically significant flooring material, such as hardwood or certain types of tile and stone. Floor installation is one of the most common projects for these contractors, which can save homeowners the time and effort of trying to install floor coverings themselves.

If someone wants to work as a flooring contractor, they should learn about the different materials and products that are currently available in their area. It’s a good idea to get some installation experience or read up on installation techniques if possible. To learn more about flooring and the construction industry, consider taking classes at a community college or trade school. Work as an assistant installer or for a flooring distribution company is recommended. If you have a lot of experience with floor coverings, you might want to consider starting a flooring installation business for local residents or businesses.

Scope of Work

General flooring contractors install the most basic flooring materials, including carpeting, vinyl flooring, tile, hardwood, and laminate. In rural areas, flooring contractors usually offer a variety of installation services, while their counterparts in large metropolitan areas might find it more profitable to specialize in one type of flooring installation, such as tile, and stick to that. The demand in the community determines how much work is likely to be available for a specialty flooring contractor. Likewise, some flooring contractors install a few types of flooring but exclude others.

Tools and Equipment

Flooring contractors typically don’t install subflooring, but they do install underlayment, which requires saws, nail guns, and staplers. Carpet layers use stretchers and heat seamers in addition to standard carpentry hand and measuring tools. Cutting laminate and hardwood requires a table saw, a circular saw or a chop saw. Hardwood installers also use specialty flooring nailers that shoot nails at a predetermined angle. Tile flooring contractors use some masonry tools, including wet saws, heavy-duty drills for mixing thin-set, and tile-chipping tools for cutting tile to fit around pipes and wall obstructions.

Business Responsibilities

Flooring contractors submit estimates or bids on proposed jobs. They must accurately calculate labor and materials to successfully bid on jobs. Contractors who hire workers are responsible for handling payroll and other management duties. Contractors can choose to incorporate, do business as sole proprietors, or form partnerships with others. Contractors pay estimated income tax quarterly, based on the amount of profit they make. They might handle bookkeeping or administrative duties themselves or contract some or all of the work out to third parties.

Licensing, Bonding, and Insurance

Most communities require that flooring contractors have business licenses. Some also require skill or knowledge testing and annual contractor fees. A high school degree is sufficient for most flooring contractors because they receive on-the-job training. A small business accounting course is helpful for setting up a financial bookkeeping system. Additional local and state requirements include carrying commercial liability insurance and, in some cases, obtaining a surety bond before working on certain projects.

How much time will the flooring work take?

How to Save Money by Hiring a Flooring Contractor for Your Project?

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What Causes Sagging Floors in Older Homes?

Typically, floors settle near the center of the house because the perimeter walls are constructed over a sound, deep foundation and settle very little. Major support beams within this perimeter, though, are often supported by makeshift posts.

How to Inspect Your Home When Your Floors are Sloping

Inspect Support Beams: If your house is built over a basement, first inspect all of the basement support beams and posts where they meet the floor. Be suspicious of wood posts set on dirt floors or wood posts with concrete poured around the post bases. As the posts slowly rot and melt into the floor, the house settles accordingly, bottom to top. As a test, firmly push a metal probe or screwdriver into the post at the floor line. If this area is mushy, punky, or rotten, you may have found your problem.

Inspect Floor Joists: Also look for floor joists that have been cut improperly to install pipes, wiring, or HVAC ducts.

Look for Insect Damage and Moisture: If you’ve had a chronically damp basement or crawlspace, look for indications of insect damage to structural members. Powder post beetles leave joists and beams riddled with small holes, carpenter ants are usually apparent at the first sign of warm weather in the spring, and termites usually leave telltale mud tunnels on foundations and posts. Then solve moisture problems around and under the house and repair deteriorated or compromised structural members.

Improper holes and notches from alterations and running service lines are a major source of weakened joists. Generally, there should never be any cuts or penetrations in the middle third of any joist, or anywhere along the bottom of the joist. Notches at the end of a joist should not exceed 1/4 of the joist depth. The center notches (B) should not exceed 1/6 of the joist depth. Holes should be a minimum of 2″ in from the top or bottom of the joist, and no larger than 1/3 the depth of the joist.

Three Ways to Fix a Sagging or Sloping Floor

Add Reinforcing Metal: Depending upon the conditions, it is possible to strengthen or repair existing framing members, such as floor joists or roof rafters, by adding reinforcing material. Sandwiching the member on either side with plywood is sometimes worthwhile, but the plywood must be installed correctly for greatest strength.

Sistering: A better option is sistering, where identical lumber is bolted to the member.

Sistering with a Flitch Plate: Better still is sistering with a flitch plate, a 1/4″ to 1/2″ piece of steel or plywood. Two flitch plates may also be used to repair localized damage.

Where these repairs are not sufficient, also consider shoring up joists or beams that were cut, drilled, or notched for pipes, wires, or ducts.

The Importance of Hiring Experienced Epoxy Flooring Contractors

Choices for Hardwood Flooring Contractor

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General contractors are professionals who are sort of like jack-of-all-trades. They have a handful of knowledge about general things regarding home improvement like plumbing, electrical, walls, and flooring. If you’ve ever purchased a home, you probably had to get an inspection done after your offer was accepted. General contracts typically perform these preliminary inspections because they can identify potential problem areas all over your home.

Flooring contractors are who you would consider a “flooring specialist”—and who would typically hire to install your flooring. A certified flooring contractor can be trusted to remove, install and repair any kind of flooring you may need.

Many times, flooring is not a job for the hobby handyman or woman, but something best left to an experienced professional. Occasionally, harder flooring surfaces like laminate or tile can be laid by a DIY enthusiast, but not everyone is comfortable with this type of work. And there are ways to cut down on the cost of a contractor, once you have the right know-how and direction.

Services a Flooring Contractor Offers

Removal

There are two steps to getting new flooring in your home: removal and installation. Luckily, flooring contractors typically offer both services. While it is possible to install new floors over your existing ones, some experts don’t recommend it. Whether you have carpet, tile, laminate, or vinyl, a contractor should be able to remove the floors you have before installing the floors you want.

Repair

Sometimes, you don’t even need to buy brand new floors to get that fresh look you’ve been wanting. If you’re lucky, a few professional repairs can make your flooring look as good as new. Flooring contracts offer repair and replacement services to fix or replace missing panels or tiles on your floors. If you love the style of your current flooring, and just wish they looked a little better, repairs may be your best bet.

Installation

One of the most highly-requested services from flooring contractors is installation. Whether you recently bought a home or decided to give your old floors a new look, you may want to consult a professional. Depending on which contractor you hire, this service can include removal and installation. In this case, the contractor would come into your home, remove all of the existing floors (tiles, vinyl, carpet, or wood panels) and install brand new floors.

Inexperienced contractors might not take the time to schedule before the product starts and manage logistics until it’s done — which can cause your installation to go over budget and over schedule. And the longer a project lasts, the more it will cost.

Moisture-related failure of your flooring adhesive can happen when an inexperienced contractor doesn’t test the subfloor prior to installation. This can also void your product’s manufacturer warranty.

Selecting a product purely based on price and ignoring the needs of your application can result in premature failure of your flooring system.

Recommendations are always a good place to start. If you’ve already had professional renovations completed in your home then you probably have contact information for a contractor. Typically, contracts have their own personal Rolodex of other contractors with different disciplines.

What is the flooring contractor’s Job Description?

The Importance of Hiring Experienced Epoxy Flooring Contractors

The post How to Save Money by Hiring a Flooring Contractor for Your Project? appeared first on Remodeling Heroes Design & Build.

Oak has long been the gold standard for hardwood flooring, and it’s still extremely popular. However, different trends are emerging. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the newest and most attractive options out there, as well as tips for getting your new floor installed properly.

Composite woods, which are made up of fiber, recycled plastic, and other components, are rapidly gaining popularity due to their low impact on the environment and the wide variety of finishes available. However, since there are so many true hardwoods available, we’ll focus on solid wood products here.

The Attraction of Oak and Other Classics

Due to its durability and beauty, oak has been a favorite for years. In fact, “solid oak floors” has almost become another way of saying “hardwood floors.” However, there are drawbacks to oak. While its rich, honey-gold color is very attractive, some homeowners seek a more exotic appearance. This can be achieved by staining the oak with a colored sealant, but this means more work, more time, and more money. Finding a wood that you like the natural color of can save dollars and hours.

Oak is also losing favor with many environmentally conscious builders due to its low rate of sustainability. A mature oak tree takes many years… decades, actually. Newcomers to the market, such as bamboo, reach their full maturity in just a few years. You can still find beautiful oak flooring, and you can stain it to whatever shade you desire. Make your decision based on what is most important to you, and check out all your options.

Before you finalize anything, check with a home-improvement store.

In addition to oak, some time-honored favorites for hardwood flooring include rustic pine, rich deep cherry, and rock-hard maple. Pecan, walnut, beech, and birch are other traditional options that have been used for years. This collection offers many variations in color and texture, and even with all the new options, these classics are definitely still excellent choices for your new hardwood floor.

Exotic and trending woods

If you’re shaking your head, don’t worry…you’re not alone. Most homeowners are not familiar with these newcomers to hardwood flooring. market. However, for many, they offer a wonderfully exotic and beautiful alternative to more traditional hardwoods.

Exotic woods are becoming much easier to obtain at reasonable prices, and this is contributing to the growth of their use for flooring. It was once nearly unthinkable for the average homeowner to use these exotic woods as anything more than small accent pieces, but new methods of farming and other factors have made many of them viable options for even a budget floor installation.

Bubinga, which comes from Africa, has a color similar to cherry. While it’s beautiful, bubinga wood has a major drawback. It splits very easily, and so the nail guns used to install most hardwood floors can quickly ruin it. Experts recommend old-school hand hammers for installing Bubinga flooring. This is, of course, more time-consuming and therefore more expensive. However, if you love the look of this wood, you may find it a small price to pay.

Wenge is one of the exotic woods that is still hard to find in large quantities at reasonable prices. However, availability is slowly improving, and more and more installations are including wenge wood as an accent. The color is very impressive, a very dark and rich espresso brown that appears black at first glance. Wenge can create dramatic accents and patterns in your flooring.

When creating an accented floor with a darker wood, your options are limited only by your imagination. Many homeowners mimic the shape and size of an accent rug in the front hallway. Borders a few inches from the walls are also popular options. For a truly spectacular showpiece, you can create an intricate inlaid design in the center of a room. Celtic designs are especially popular for this, but the only limits here are those of your imagination.

Green Exotics

Green is all the rage these days, and flooring options that are easy on the environment are becoming very readily available. Two of the most popular green options are cork and bamboo.

Cork flooring may seem odd, but it has many benefits. While technically the bark of a tree and not actual wood, cork flooring is laid and sealed just like regular hardwood flooring and is just as durable. In fact, many devotees consider it to be more durable. Because cork flooring has come to it, many households with either small children or elderly people turn to cork as an added safety measure. Sound dampening is another benefit. Cork also gives your room a very unexpected and unique appearance.

Bamboo seems to be everywhere today, and flooring is no exception. There’s a good reason for this. While, like cork, bamboo is not an actual wood (it’s technically grass), it is just as durable as traditional hardwood choices.

Bamboo has a very unique appearance, with pencil-width lines of gradient color running through it. It can be stained to any color you desire, although many find its natural color, which is close to beechwood, to be quite beautiful. Perhaps the best thing about bamboo is its sustainability. A bamboo plant takes just four years to reach full maturity, making it the most sustainable flooring option available aside from manufactured composites. By installing a bamboo floor you’ll not only be making an investment that will pay off in beauty and durability for years to come, but you’ll also be making a very earth-friendly choice.

How do flooring contractors fix sagging houses?

Types of flooring to consider

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Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring comes from a solid piece of milled wood and contains solid wood all throughout. Popular hardwood varieties include maple, oak, walnut, or cherry. Its versatility and quality make it a desirable flooring option for many home buyers. However, it’s one of the more expensive flooring materials on the market and does require regular maintenance, such as using a specialty hardwood floor cleaner once a month and applying a fresh coat of finish every three to five years, to keep them looking great.

Engineered wood flooring

Engineered wood flooring offers the look of real wood at a more affordable price than solid wood. The floor features a thin layer of hardwood bonded over a high-quality plywood substrate. It’s as durable as solid hardwood flooring and can last as long with proper care.

Engineered wood flooring is a good choice to install, which will save you money on installation costs.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is an affordable flooring option for homeowners who prefer an alternative to carpet but want to avoid the cost of hardwood or tiles. The floors consist of a particle board wood base topped by wood or tile photo beneath a clear plastic protective layer.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is extremely water-resistant and won’t sustain damage even if water sits on the surface for an extended amount of time. It’s composed of plastic and is available in plank, tile, and sheet form. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are two forms that have gained popularity recently because of their durability and the variety of styles available.

Tile

Tile flooring is a popular choice for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens. The most common tile materials are ceramic or porcelain. Tile is water-resistant, durable, and comes in a variety of styles and colors. The installation cost varies depending on the material; for instance, glazed ceramic is less expensive than porcelain tile.

Stone Flooring

Natural stones, such as granite, marble, travertine, and sandstone, are popular flooring choices for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Like ceramic and porcelain, stone is extremely durable and waterproof. The stone’s finish determines the amount of care needed to maintain the floor. However, stone offers natural beauty and quality that is unparalleled by most types of flooring. 

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is a durable, eco-friendly flooring option made from linseed oil and cork. Linoleum flooring is affordable and easy to install. The flooring comes in sheet form and in a variety of colors and styles. It is resilient (made with elastic materials) and can last for decades if cared for properly. Linoleum is gaining in popularity as flooring manufacturers offer more modern colors and styles.

Carpet

Carpet is a favorite flooring option for homeowners, especially in bedrooms. It comes in a variety of colors, materials, and textures. Carpet technology has improved over the years, and modern carpets have stain-resistant qualities. It’s also the most cost-effective flooring option on the market. Carpet installation varies in price, depending on the type of material and thickness of the carpet padding. 

Choices for Hardwood Flooring Contractor

How To Hire A Flooring Contractor

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