How to Choose a Flooring Company
Most flooring is designed to last for years. Sometimes even decades. But at some point – either because the flooring is well past its lifespan or because your tastes and needs have changed – you are going to need new flooring, and when you do, you’re going to need to select a flooring company.
One of the problems, however, is that the average person is unlikely to be able to tell the difference between one flooring company and another. You may compare things like price, maybe even online reviews, but most of the time the only information that you have is that they are a flooring company, without necessarily knowing what makes any two companies different.
There are two issues with this:
- There are typically considerable differences between flooring companies, often in ways you may never see. Flooring is not only the material you put on the top level, but also the underlayment and the materials used beneath.
- Often, if a flooring company does a bad job, you may not know about it for years. Engineered flooring, for example, is expected to last 20 to 30 years. Problems with poor installation may not arise until year 5. By then, will you even remember who your flooring company was? Will they still be in business?
This is why choosing the right flooring company is so important. But, if you do not have a thorough understanding of how flooring works, how do you know who to choose?
What to Look for From a Flooring Company in Texas
So, you know how important it is to find a flooring company you can trust, but you need a bit of guidance in how to find one. Consider the following:
- History – Online reviews are great (we have some great ones! Check out our reviews on Google and Yelp!) but there is nothing quite like history. When a company has been around for a long time, people become aware of their reputation. Great companies get talked about, problematic companies get badmouthed. Look for the ones that have advocates.
- Proof of Work – There is nothing wrong with asking for the contact information of past customers, or before and after photos, or some proof of work that can help you make a judgment. Providing references and/or examples is part of the job, and a good flooring company will be able to provide you with recommendations confidently.
- Wider Variety of Products – There are so many different types of flooring that no company can offer all of it, and some have specialties like hardwood or LVP. Variety itself isn’t necessarily a sign of a good company. But what you don’t want is someone that only offers one brand or type of flooring. You need the company to offer many flooring options because you want to know that you’re being guided to the right one.
- Repair and Refinishing Services – Remember, the best flooring companies can stand behind their work and expect it to last for years to come. Often, that means that they’ll also offer repair and refinishing services. Why does this mean they’re a good company? Because a company that isn’t confident in their work will not want you to call them 3, 5, 10 years down the road, as they’ll be concerned, you’ll catch a mistake. Businesses confident in their work will be more than happy to offer these services because they’ll know it’s normal wear and tear.
- Local Knowledge – We mentioned in an earlier blog post that North Texas has very specific climate requirements, such as flooring that can handle high heat and humidity. You want a flooring company that is happy to share their local knowledge with you, to show you that they understand what is necessary for long lasting work.
In addition, while pricing itself can vary (we offer very competitive pricing, but every quote is different), what does matter is transparency. It’s one thing to give a price. It’s another to have all the details, make it clear what’s included and what isn’t. Describe any warranties or guarantees, etc.
It is hard to compare flooring companies without expertise in flooring. But there are ways you can identify who is going to do the best possible work. For more information about our flooring services in the Dallas area, reach out to Texas Hardwood Flooring today.
