Floor Installation Ann Arbor: Everything You Need to Know

Whether you are looking to improve your home's resale value, thinking of trying out a new aesthetic, or need new, quality flooring made of durable material, you are looking to avail yourself of flooring services. The kinds of flooring of a house tend to make or break a sale. Depending on the type of materials used, floors can last for up to 100 years and even more, provided that they are maintained properly.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan alone, there are over thirty well-known flooring contractors that handle residential and commercial flooring projects. This makes it easy to start a flooring project. Finding a flooring company with affordable options might actually be quicker than choosing the kind of flooring that you want! Still, there are several things to consider when it comes to floor installation in Ann Arbor. Luckily, this article covers everything you need to know about floor installation.

How do I Prepare for Floor Installation?

As a homeowner, you must learn all there is to know about flooring installation services. Choosing the company that offers the best flooring solution in Ann Arbor is one thing, knowing how to prepare for floor installation is another. You may be leaving the job to the professionals, but there are some appropriate precautions that you must take. These 7 steps will help prepare your home for floor installation.

All-Inclusive Quote

Ask your flooring installer for an all-inclusive quote. This way, the pricing of the project would include the moving of furniture and appliances. Preparing the subfloor, if not complete removal, is an additional service that may or may not be required in the project but is included in the quote.

Fragile Items, Valuables, Home Utilities

Anything with the potential to be broken must be removed first: objects such as decorative items, glass, ceramics, and light fixtures. Artworks, mirrors, picture frames, and other things hung on the wall must be removed as well. Be sure to remove the floor covering, such as carpets, too. Before the team arrives, take down anything that gets in the way of moving around the space.

Disconnect gas appliances, turn off electric systems and close all water taps before the project begins. Check all rooms with electrical connections, the kitchen, bathrooms, and even the laundry area. Alternatively, you can ask a professional to manage the connections in your house.

Remove Furniture

You can opt to move the furniture out of the space. For convenience, this must be done at least a day before installation. Some flooring installers could rearrange the furniture for free while others may charge for this, so doing the work yourself saves time and money.

Floor Height

The new flooring may or may not require the readjustment of doors, the removal of baseboards, and door trims. Solid hardwood floors automatically require removal since these result in a significant floor height increase. On the other hand, both laminate flooring installation and vinyl flooring installation can be done via a glue-down or floating method. Check if the doors can close, swing both in and out with the additional, but not as noticeable, height.

Systematic Room Arrangement

Maneuverability is key in arranging the rooms. Keep dirt and clutter from accumulating in paths both inside and outside. Also, children and their toys must stay away from the work area and keep clear of all pathways with heavy traffic.

Close the Other Rooms

Any other area that is not being worked on must remain closed. This prevents dust and other debris from spreading around the house. Some flooring products, like hardwood flooring installation, guarantee the presence of sawdust. Ceramic tile installation results in dust accumulation. So, additional steps like putting masking tape on door gaps may be necessary.

Pet Safety

Pets are prone to sneaking out of the house especially when the gate and doors are left open. Also, the waste materials produced while working are harmful to them. Keep them in an enclosure to ensure that they are safe from debris and do not impede the floor installation.

Workspace and Waste Disposal

Every major house project needs a dedicated workspace. The preparation of flooring materials, such as trimming the wood, resizing ceramic tiles, and having the flooring boards ready, must be done in a separate workspace. An area near the entrance is best suited for this purpose, while a separate space with garbage bins will serve as the disposal area.

What Does a Flooring Contractor Do?

It is important to know the scope of the job of your flooring contractor. Flooring contractors carry out professional installation of a wide variety of floor materials, such as ceramic tiles, luxury vinyl tiles, laminate wood flooring, waterproof flooring, hardwood flooring, and even carpeting.

Additionally, your residential flooring contractor calculates the labor and materials needed for your project. They may handle other administrative tasks or contract these to a third party.

Flooring Installation Costs 

The cost of flooring installation depends on the materials you use and where the installation is done. Typically, the price ranges from $1,491 to $4,553. The national average sets the cost at $2,985 for coverage of 500 square feet.

At Ann Arbor, a new flooring installation would cost between $3 and $22 per square foot, depending on which material you choose. For example, a vinyl floor would cost around $4 to $6. Expect to pay $1,493 and $4,462, with an average price of $2,950 for 500 square feet.

What to Consider in Calculating Flooring Installation Costs

The following four factors come into play when calculating the cost of your flooring installation.

Material

Ultimately, the flooring material you use has a considerable effect on the overall pricing of the project. For example, the average cost of installing a laminate floor is between $3 to $8 per square foot. Your criteria for product options must not only be determined by the design, but also by the quality and price of the material.

Size

The size of the space is yet another significant factor. The larger the space, the higher the price. Re-flooring a large area will cost more than doing the same work with the same materials for a smaller space. Lastly, a larger area may require more installers, raising the labor costs as well.

Labor

Much like the first two factors, labor is computed per square foot at about $0.60 to $4.00. Simpler jobs are more budget-friendly compared to extensive jobs. Floating installations are cheaper compared to gluing planks and tilework. For instance, removing a 12 ft by 12 ft carpet that takes 3 hours to complete could be priced at $60 an hour. With this in mind, removing a glued-down carpet would then cost more since that will take more time.

Location

Make sure to ask your contractor if your location is within their service area. Living in a remote area has the possibility of the inclusion of travel fees, so it is wise to ask if there are additional costs for traveling outside of your flooring contractor's service area.

Where Do I Find Someone to Do Floor Installation in Ann Arbor?

To find the best flooring contractor in Ann Arbor, you need to conduct a thorough search. Recommendations from family, friends, neighbors, and other trustworthy people are helpful. You are likely to end up choosing from established businesses in Ann Arbor that have years of experience in the field, known for providing superior services.

That's exactly what A Production Building Solutions does! For 28 years, we have been providing cleaning, flooring, and maintenance services for residential and commercial projects. Visit our website for a free estimate for our flooring installation services. Your home deserves the beautiful floor and top-quality workmanship that A Production Building Solutions has to offer!

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