If you are having your floors professionally installed, every step you take to prepare your home for your installers, can help cut down on the overall time it takes to complete you project. Take the time to remove anything that may be breakable. This may include small items on top of coffee tables or shelves as well as lighting fixtures with glass covers. Anything that may break easily when moved, should be taken care of prior to the arrival of your installers. Make sure to consider if the installers will be working in multiple rooms and if possible, move items somewhere they will be completely out of the way to avoid having to move them multiple times.

Today, more contractors are including additional services to their quote. Ensure you take time to see what your quote covers. Who is responsible for moving furniture? Will appliances need to be moved, if so, are you responsible for doing so? Is your installer removing and hauling away your existing flooring? Determine what you want to complete yourself and what you want your installer to handle. Make sure that is confirmed in your quote prior to the start of your installation. Many installers are willing to handle additional aspects of your installation for additional costs. Knowing what the expect beforehand will help you be better prepared. 

Depending on both your existing flooring and the new flooring you selected, heigh could be an issue. For example, carpet and padding typically sits higher up along your walls and baseboard than plank flooring. If you removing carpet, consider whether your baseboards may end up sitting to high after installing plank. This is something to speak to your installer about before-hand. Baseboards and door jams are the two things that are affected most by the height of your flooring. If additional steps need to be taken to address potential height issues, it important to be prepared. Changes like these may add more time and cost to your project, so being prepared is your best bet. 

The more prepared your area is for installation, the quicker and more efficiently your installers will be able to work. Consider which areas your flooring is being installed in and make sure to take time to clear them out. If you contractors are moving your furniture as part of your quote, make sure it is clear of any objects and drawers are emptied. This will help save time and allow your installers to move the items quicker. If your installation area includes closets, make sure that all items are cleared off the floor and all low-hanging clothing is removed as well. The installers will need room to get in and work in that small area. 

Again, this will come down to the agreement you have with your installer. If they have agreed to take care of this for you, make sure that have a safari space prepared to store the doors in during the duration of your project. Having a cleared out space readily available for storage is the best way to make sure they are out of the way are kept from any damage. If this is part of your preparation responsibilities for your installation, make sure you get it completed before your installation begins. The more you do to prepare beforehand, the better. 

Some flooring requires proper acclimation before installation. Check the installation guidelines included with your flooring for any instructions on acclimation. Make sure to check for proper temperate settings and acclimation time, if required for your flooring and following it closely. This applies typically to a floating floor. Because the floor contracts and expands with changes in temperature, maintaining proper temps inside your home both before and after installation is important. 

No matter what kind of flooring you choose, your installer will need a clear area to cut the product during installation. For carpet installs, this area will need to larger. Broadloom carpet typically comes in 12 foot wide or 15 foot wide rolls, so its essential that the contractor has enough room to roll the carpet out and make necessary cuts. Hard surface requires less space for cutting, but may require access to an outlet depending on what kind of tool your installer using to cut. Check with  your contra beforehand to see what kind of area they will need and prepare your home accordingly.

If you have pets in your home, make sure you have a plan to keep them away for your installers. Even friendly pets can be hazardous for installers who are moving in and out of your home and working with loud tools your pet is not used to. If you are able to keep them in a room that is not being worked in or outside and of the way of your installer, this is the best course of action. If you think your pet will have an issue with a stranger in your home, make arrangements for your pet to stay somewhere else during the installation process, if possible. This is especially important when it comes to installation that you will not be home for. It’s hard to know how your pet will react when you are not home, make sure to be prepared and have a plan for your pet to keep everyone safe.