How to Prepare Your Austin Home for New Flooring Installation

Flooring installation day runs smoothly when the homeowner is prepared. When it does not go smoothly, it is usually because furniture was not moved, the material was not acclimated, or there were surprises that could have been identified during the estimate. Here is the complete preparation checklist for Austin homeowners.

Two Weeks Before Installation

Confirm the scope and schedule. Call or text us to confirm the installation date, start time, and scope of work. Make sure everyone in the household knows what rooms are being done and when. If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be out of the home or confined to a safe area during installation.

Order any special items. If you are having custom thresholds, transitions, or stair nosing fabricated, order them now. These items sometimes take a week or more to arrive and can delay the project if not ordered in advance.

Plan for temporary living arrangements if needed. For whole-home flooring projects, you may need to stay elsewhere for one or two nights. For partial projects, you will need to work around the affected rooms. Plan this now rather than the night before.

One Week Before Installation

Clear the rooms. All furniture, rugs, and personal items need to be out of the rooms being installed before the crew arrives. This includes everything: furniture, lamps, plants, wall art that might be disturbed by vibration, and items stored in closets if closets are being done.

Disconnect appliances if needed. If flooring is going under the refrigerator, dishwasher, or washing machine, these need to be disconnected and moved before installation day. We do not disconnect or reconnect appliances as part of the flooring installation. If you need help with this, we can recommend a plumber or appliance technician.

Identify and protect items you are concerned about. If you have delicate baseboards, custom millwork, or furniture that is difficult to move, point these out during the estimate so we can plan accordingly.

The Day Before Installation

Receive and place the flooring material. If we are delivering the material the day before, it should be placed in the rooms where it will be installed, not in the garage or a storage unit. The material needs to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the space where it will be installed. This is especially important for hardwood and engineered hardwood. LVP is less sensitive but still benefits from acclimation.

Set the thermostat. The home should be at normal living temperature during acclimation and installation. Do not turn off the AC in summer or the heat in winter to save money during the project. Extreme temperature swings during installation can cause problems with the finished floor.

Clear a path for the crew. The installation crew will need to move freely between the work area, their truck, and any staging areas. Clear the driveway, walkways, and any interior paths they will use.

Installation Day

Be available at the start of the job for a brief walkthrough with the lead installer. This is the time to point out any concerns, confirm the layout direction, and review the scope one more time. It takes 10 minutes and prevents misunderstandings.

During installation, the crew will be using saws, nail guns, and other equipment. Expect noise and some dust. Keep children and pets away from the work area. If you are sensitive to dust, consider spending the day elsewhere.

At the end of the job, do a walkthrough with the lead installer before they leave. Check the transitions, the cuts around doorframes, the baseboard reinstallation, and the overall appearance of the floor. Any concerns should be raised before the crew leaves, not after.

After Installation

Wait 24 hours before moving heavy furniture back onto a new LVP or hardwood floor. This allows any adhesive at transitions to cure fully. When moving furniture back, use furniture sliders to avoid scratching the new floor.

For the first 72 hours, keep the home at normal temperature and humidity. Avoid wet mopping the new floor for at least 24 hours. For hardwood, avoid wet mopping entirely and use a damp mop only.

We serve all of Austin including North Austin, South Austin, and Central Austin. If you have questions about preparing for your specific project, call us at any time. We are happy to walk through the details before installation day.