Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Floor Installer Selection

After my contractor on my new house (Nov 06) used "his" guy to install the wood flooring (3/8" Bellawood), the flooring is now buckled from a bad install job (no sealer on the concrete slab, improper leveling, not enough space for expansion, etc). The floor will have to be replaced, because I'm not accepting this kind of work on new construction. My question is how do I find an installer that knows what he is doing? I'm not an expert and I don't want the responsibility of telling someone what needs to be done to get the best job possible, so how can I insure I get a good job? I don't want to use the contractors guy again thats for sure. Any suggestions?

The only thing any of us has of any value is our name, reputation, integrity. The best installers protect their only real asset with a vengeance because it's what feeds them. Such installers are constantly working to improve their craft, expand their knowledge in their field, and absolutely refuse to do anything on a job they know will come back later to harm that one asset. But, things happen, mistakes can be made, and no one is infallible. The mechanic I take my car to is not the one who doesn't mess it up once, it's the one who is horrified that a mistake occurred and takes care of it immediately on his nickle. I'm not disputing that you should find another installer, Lord knows there are plenty out there not worthy of the term "installer" and this may be one of them. But it's called warranty work for a reason and I'd really urge letting the installer have a chance to stand behind his work. If he's unwilling to make it right or goes into a long song and dance about it, OK, at least you gave him a chance to salvage his only real asset which, in effect, keeps your own intact.

Thanks Smokey. You bring up a good point that the installer of my floor should be horrified that his work (his mens work that is) has failed to pass inspection. Unfortunetely he is trying to say the floor is ok, that nothing is perfect (builder uses this one on me several times), etc, etc. I watched him do a new house across the street the other day and he layed the floor exactly the way he layed this one. Only prep work was to sweep the floor, scrape up the big stuff, then lay the floor. He butts the floor against the ceramic tile, no T molding to allow for expansion, etc. As for my floor, the contractor of the house has to warranty the work so its up to him to make it right in the end. Thanks for your comments.

Light a fire under his clueless butt!!

I have to agree. If you've given them a reasonable opportunity to make it right and the song and dance has begun, it's time to go bull dog om 'em. A builder or sub truly concerned about their reputation won't do that to you.