The right contractor makes a flooring project smooth; the wrong one can mean uneven floors, blown budgets, and no recourse. Before you sign, ask these nine questions.
The 9 questions
- Are you licensed and insured? (Ask to see proof of liability insurance.)
- How long have you been installing this specific flooring type?
- Can you share recent local references or photos of completed jobs?
- Is the quote itemized — materials, labor, prep, removal, and trim?
- Who handles subfloor problems if they’re discovered mid-job?
- What warranty do you offer on labor, separate from the manufacturer’s material warranty?
- What’s the payment schedule? (Avoid large upfront deposits.)
- Will you pull any required permits?
- What’s your timeline, and what could delay it?
A confident, established contractor will answer all nine without hesitation. Vague answers or pressure for a big cash deposit are red flags.