Hiring a flooring contractor to facilitate the installation of your new home flooring is a wise decision because they can help to ensure proper installation and prevent hiccups along the way. However, you cannot simply entrust the project to any contractor without first conducting thorough research and finding out more about the company.
Before you choose one of your shortlisted flooring contractors, you should ask them a few questions. These questions will assist you in deciding who to work with.
1. What flooring material will you recommend for my household?
There are numerous flooring options available, but you cannot possibly have them all installed in your home. Some of them are suitable for high-rise apartment buildings such as HDBs in Singapore, while others may be better suited to landed properties.
Furthermore, some families must care for the elderly and young children, making certain floorings unsuitable. If you don’t know what flooring material to install, the best place to start is to seek professional advice from a flooring specialist. Find out more about the benefits of each flooring material and the difficulties that one may encounter with each material.
Aside from receiving advice from a flooring supplier, asking such questions allows you to determine whether they have the necessary knowledge and experience in supplying and installing specific flooring products.
2. What are your credentials?
Especially for HDB renovations, it is important to entrust your flooring installation to an HDB-approved contractor. While authorities generally do not regulate interior renovations for landed properties, HDB flats are subjected to guidelines if you wish to install anything.
Aside from important licenses, some homeowners may want to look into the flooring contractor’s test reports and accomplishments. Floorrich, for example, has received the Singapore Green Building Product certification, which recognizes products that have met sustainability criteria, as well as the FloorScore® certification, which recognizes indoor air quality standards for hard surface flooring materials. These certifications indicate whether a flooring supplier offers products that are both safe for use in homes and safe for the environment.
3. What happens if something goes wrong?
Life is unpredictable, and renovation projects may not always go as planned. A critical question to ask your flooring contractor is whether or not they have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. They include any employee injuries, property damage, or flooring product damage.
Aside from a company policy that outlines an operating procedure to follow in such cases, you should also look for insured flooring contractors so you can be assured that unexpected expenses will be borne by the company.
Some flooring contractors also provide a workmanship warranty as well as a product warranty, which covers any manufacturing defects or installation errors. These can provide you with peace of mind.
4. Are there post-installation maintenance guidelines?
It is important to know how to clean and maintain your new home flooring. Hence, you should always check with your flooring contractor on how to properly clean the flooring material, especially if it’s a material you have never handled before.
5. What is the payment schedule?
You’re paying a flooring contractor for their services, so one of your questions should be about payment methods and schedules. Will you have to make a deposit before installation? Are there payment plans available? What percentage of the total amount must you pay at each stage? This is especially important for those on a limited budget. Having more payment options or the option to pay in instalments can assist you in better planning your finances.
Floorrich is a flooring contractor in Singapore with years of experience in installing wood, vinyl, and SPC flooring. Looking for a flooring company to work with? Contact us today.