When it comes time to select a hardwood floor refinishing contractor near you, there are several important things you need to consider. After all, this is a major decision that will affect your home for years to come and its one of those areas where inexperience can lead to dissatisfying results. So how do you go about selecting the right contractor? Here are seven great tips to get you started:
Licensed & Insured.
First and foremost, it makes sense to verify that the contractor is licensed and insured. Sometimes this information is posted on their website, but it would be good to get a copy of this information that verifies this before any work starts. If they're not licensed and insured you could be stuck with a final result that is not what you expected. Its never a good idea to have uninsured contractors performing work on your premises.
Portfolio.
Next, you'll want to check out their portfolio. Often you can check for examples of their work on their website. This can give you a good idea of their workmanship and whether or not they're a good fit for your project. Many qualified hardwood floor refinishers also carry a portfolio with them. Some hardwood floor refinishers do great work but have not yet mastered the internet posting technologies. Feel free to ask if they have examples of their work that cannot be seen on their website. When you schedule a time for them to visit to receive an estimate you can look at examples their work and get a feel for their work abilities.
Online Reviews.
It's also important to take some time to read online reviews. This can give you a good idea of what other people have thought about the contractor's work. When looking for reviews, it is best to check with more than one source. You can look at the contractor's website, Google Reviews, Yelp, and even Angie's List. Checking with multiple sources will help to give you a more well-rounded idea of what others think of the contractor's work. The number of customer reviews is important, but the quality of the reviews is most important. Take both into consideration.
Dust Control & Clean Up.
One thing that is very important to consider with wood floor refinishing is the quality of the clean up. Floor refinishing involves a great deal of sanding with specialized equipment and can produce a fairly large amount of dust. It's important to have as much of your residence as possible shielded from dust created during the entire restoration process. Take note of any former clients mentioning issues about dust during the job or any problems with dust cleanup after the job. If a problem was noted, take that into consideration.
References.
When contacting a wood floor refinishing company it is appropriate to ask for references even if you have read their online reviews. Online reviews can paint a good picture but talking to some of their past clients and see how they felt about the work that was done might be invaluable as well.
Cheapest Often Not Best.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the lowest estimate is not always the best option. Hardwood floor installation is a fairly simple process, but restoring wood floors to a beautiful condition takes much more skill and experience. In many cases, it is worth paying a bit more for a contractor that has a good reputation and the experience to do a better job.
Ask Questions.
Finally, don't be afraid to ask the contractor any questions you may have. This is your home and your project, so you need to make sure you're comfortable with everything before moving forward.
By following these tips, you should be able to find a hardwood floor contractor that's a good fit for your needs. Just make sure to do your research and take your time before making any decisions.
