How to Prepare Your Home for New Flooring
Short answer: Clear rooms, plan access, protect nearby items, confirm what is and is not included, and ask about subfloor findings before work starts.
A week before
- Confirm the start date, duration and who will be on site
- Confirm what is included: removal, disposal, baseboards, transitions and furniture moving
- Order the flooring early and keep spare boxes from the same batch
The day before
- Clear the rooms and hallways
- Move fragile items out of nearby rooms
- Make a plan for pets and children
- Clear a path from the driveway or elevator to the work area
During the work
Expect noise, dust and some strong smells if adhesive is used. Keep the house at a comfortable temperature, and ask the installer when it is safe to walk on the floor and move furniture back.
After the work
Walk the floor with the installer, check transitions and trim, and keep spare planks in a cool, dry place. Ask for care instructions and the warranty in writing.
