How to Hire a Hardwood Floor Contractor

Determine the areas where you want the hardwood flooring to be installed or refinished.

Learn about the differences in material costs for various flooring products if you're having new floors installed, and decide which type of flooring you want to use. (See Tips for details about different options.) You can shop for flooring at a building-supply store.

Ask friends and relatives for recommendations to help find a contractor, or look in the yellow pages under 'Floors.'

Have contractors come to your home to measure and give estimates. Get several price quotes from competing contractors.

Discuss the finishing/coating options with the contractor. Do you have children or pets who make greater protection a must?

Ask to see pictures of past jobs if you're looking for a contractor to do specialty work, such as elaborate parquet or inlays.

Learn whether each contractor is experienced in the specific work you want done. For example, a contractor may install very high-quality standard oak floors, but may not be sufficiently skilled to handle a complex project with inlays or difficult cuts.

Ask the contractors for references and check them. Are previous customers happy with the work that was done?

Select the contractor who provides the best combination of satisfied references and price.

Make arrangements with the contractor to cover damage to painted trim and other items that may be damaged when refinishing or adding a floor. (You may have to accept the fact that you'll have to repaint or touch up base moldings in a room that's being worked on.)

Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, price, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date. Try to pay the minimum possible deposit, and arrange a payment schedule that matches the completion of work and delivery of materials to the site.