Installation day goes smoother - and faster - when your home is ready for our crew before we ever walk in the door. Whether you’re getting new hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, laminate, or carpet, here’s exactly what to do beforehand, room by room.
Two Weeks Before: Plan the Logistics
Confirm your final material selection, measure for furniture that needs to be moved out entirely (large sectionals, china cabinets, pianos), and line up a plan for pets during install days - the noise and open doors aren’t ideal for anxious animals. If you’re financing the project, this is also the window to finalize your financing paperwork so nothing holds up the schedule.
The Day Before: Clear the Rooms
- Remove all furniture, rugs, and floor lamps from the rooms being floored - or let us know if you need help moving heavier pieces.
- Take down wall art, mirrors, and shelving nearby, since vibration during removal and install can knock things loose.
- Clear closets and low cabinets that sit on the floor being replaced.
- Unplug and move small appliances and electronics out of the work area.
- Set aside a path for our crew to move materials in and old flooring out - garages and driveways work well.
What Happens to Your Old Floor
If your existing carpet, laminate, or vinyl needs to come out first, that’s handled through our demolition and prep service - we remove and haul away the old material so you’re not stuck bagging carpet padding in the driveway. If we find soft spots, squeaks, or uneven areas in the subfloor once the old material is up, we address those through floor repair before anything new goes down - skipping this step is how new floors end up with problems inherited from the old one.
Residential vs. Commercial Prep
A home installation is usually a one- to three-day job scheduled around your family’s routine. Commercial flooring projects - offices, retail spaces, restaurants - often get scheduled after hours or over a weekend to avoid disrupting business, and we coordinate directly with property managers or business owners on move-out timing for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
During and After Installation
Keep pets and kids out of the work area while material is being cut and laid, and plan for some noise and dust despite our crew’s best containment efforts. Once we’re done, we walk the finished floor with you, answer any questions, and haul away debris - your job is just to move the furniture back in (or let us help).
Ready to Get Started?
The best time to ask prep questions is before installation day, not during it. Request a free in-home estimate and we’ll walk your specific rooms, flag anything that needs extra prep, and give you a clear timeline - or just reach out if you have questions first.
