How to Prepare Your Home for a Flooring Installation
What to expect and how to get your home ready before, during, and after a professional flooring installation.
A little preparation before installation day keeps the job moving and protects your belongings. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Before installation day
Remove furniture from the room being worked on, clear out closets if the flooring extends into them, and make sure pets are secured somewhere away from the work area. If you'd rather not move furniture yourself, we handle furniture moving for an additional fee; just let us know during your consultation so it's scheduled in.
For hardwood specifically, the flooring itself needs to acclimate in the room for several days before installation begins, so plan for the material to arrive ahead of the actual install date rather than the same day.
How long installation takes
Most single rooms are completed in 1 to 3 days depending on the flooring type and any subfloor work needed. Larger whole-home projects typically run 5 to 10 days. We'll give you a specific timeline for your project during your free consultation rather than a generic estimate.
After installation
Cure and wait times vary by material. LVP generally needs about 24 hours before furniture goes back and up to 48 hours before wet-mopping. Tile grout needs roughly 72 hours before sealing. Hardwood needs its finish (or the adhesives in a floating install) to fully cure before normal foot traffic and furniture placement resume. We'll tell you the exact timing for your installation before we leave the job.
Have questions about your specific project?
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