"How to find a good flooring company in the Fresno area"

So you have decided it is time to bring in a professional flooring company into your home. There are many things to consider when making this important decision.

Steps to finding a good flooring company:

1.) Check to make sure that they have a contractor license if they are installing.

2.) Get two or more references.

3.) Ask how long they have been in business.

4.) Get at least one other bid for the job to make sure they are not ripping you off.

5.) Find a flooring company that will give you pricing for small jobs over the phone.

6.) Get flat rate estimates so you know the total you will pay beforehand.

7.) Contact the better business Bureau or BBB

Many consumers tend to base their selection of flooring and the company that will handle the installation on nothing more than the immediate availability of a pattern or type of flooring they like. While it is important to buy flooring that is what you want for the home, keep in mind there are many vendors who can offer that same quality at a better price. This means you need to do some comparison shopping before settling on any one flooring company.

How To Hire A Flooring Company

Think about the last time you purchased a car. Chances are you didn't go to the yellow pages, choose a dealership at random, and buy your car from the first lot you visited. Many times, though, this scenario describes the way homeowners find a flooring company -- they look in the phone book and call the painter with the largest ad or the first one listed. But much like purchasing a car, finding a quality flooring company requires research and comparison shopping.

Ideally, you will be able to find a flooring company that offers quality products at affordable prices, is efficient with the installation process, and will provide you with terms and a warranty that are agreeable. While it may take some time to find such a company, it is well worth the effort to check out each potential company completely before you make any commitment.

Doing so will not only mean you get the flooring you want, but also enjoy excellent hardwood, vinyl, or carpet installation while saving money and eliminating a lot of headaches now and in the future.

Things To Look For In A Flooring Company

Insurance they are installing be sure that the flooring company you are considering is fully insured, having both workers compensation and liability

insurance. Your selected flooring company should be able to provide you with a copy of his or her insurance policy.

Better Business Bureau -- Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ascertain if any complaints have been filed against your potential candidate.

Use Angies List www.AngiesList.com to see what others have to say about this company. If they have good reviews on Angies List then it is a good bet they will do good work for you too.

Some Good Ideas:

Identify the type of flooring you want, whether it be hardwood, marble, or vinyl flooring. Then make a list of local vendors who carry the type of floor you need. Also make sure the brands they carry are known as quality products, and focus your attention on those options. At the same time, get floor estimates from each flooring company on your list. There is a good chance that one or two stores will offer the type and pattern you want for a better price than the other retailers.

Next, get references that give you some idea of what people think of each flooring company you are considering. Look for details such as how well they service customer accounts, their track record in terms of timely and proper installation of the flooring, and how well they handle any customer concerns or complaints. Your goal is to select a company known for its expertise in flooring installation, and for timely response to any questions or concerns you may have.

Last, you want to do business with a flooring company that offers the best in the way of contract terms, as well as a warranty that will protect your investment in the carpeting, vinyl, or hardwood flooring if some defect comes to light a few months after the installation. Carefully compare the terms and the warranties obtained from each company. If something seems unclear, make sure to obtain clarification in writing before making a commitment to any vendor.

Were they courteous and polite?

This is a very important consideration. The entire experience, from beginning to end, needs to be as stress free as possible. Plus if the flooring company enjoys what they are doing, the quality and attention to details will be better. The customers attitude can and will affect the entire job. Hopefully this will be the first question you ask. If the answer to this question is then do not go any further, you don't want to work with that person.

Is the warranty included?

If a warranty was included find out if it has a reasonable amount of time before expiring and if it has any value. Simply stating a warranty isn't enough. Get it in writing and understand its limitations! A good flooring company is happy to stand behind his warranty.

Ask Questions

Ask For a Quote

Invite flooring companies to look at the job and ask for a quote in writing. In the quote also ask them to specify the time it will take to complete the job. It sucks to try and live in a house during construction. Make sure the contractors are quoting on the same specifications (areas)

Execute a Contract

Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date. Make sure the contract includes who is responsible for cleanup and the removal and replacement of the furnisher from all Areas.

Safety Commitment

Accidents can happen with almost any home improvement project. So ask your prospective candidate what steps he or she will take to prevent injuries and property damage. Again if the company is good at their work they will be able to answer this question with ease.

Clean Up

Ask the company how they intend to leave the work area once the job is completed. You don't want to be cleaning up after a installer for hours after they've left your home. Also, ask about disruption during the project.