As the administrator for Greg Garber Hardwood Floors I want to have qualified answers for our customers questions. Often I’m asked; “Hiring a contractor to install my new wood flooring is expensive, why can’t I do it myself?” I went to experts, “The National Wood Flooring Association,” for the answer and this was their response:
Installing wood floors is more complicated
than painting your walls or replacing the hardware on your cabinets. Materials for your new flooring will cost several thousand dollars and if damaged will be very expensive to replace, it’s not as easy as buying a new gallon of paint or new hardware. Besides that installing wood floors requires special tools, another expense.
There are other important elements to a successful wood floor installation; your room must be flat, you need to be sure the subfloor will work for your wood flooring and the room must be tested to make sure there are no moisture issues that will damage the wood long-term.
In addition, you need to know how to center the room, how much space should be left for expansion gaps, how to work around obstructions like closets, fireplaces, bay windows, staircases, cabinets, etc. Be careful if you measured incorrectly or make mistakes you may run out of material you may not be able to exactly match the color.
BOTTOM LINE: Installing wood floors yourself is not recommended by The National Wood Flooring Association. Pick up the telephone and call Greg Garber Hardwood Floors.
Greg Garber Hardwood Floors
