With countless companies offering floor refinishing services—and with potentially serious problems stemming from choosing the wrong one—it’s important to find a company with a good track record. Guy Lee of LPC Enterprises suggests you rely on the recommendation of an impartial third party such as Diamond Certified.
If you ask for references, Mr. Lee suggests obtaining two or three. “Different customers have different tolerances and viewpoints,” he says. One person’s positive experience might have been totally unsatisfactory to another. Ask for specifics: How long did the process take? How vigilant were the workers to cleanliness? How much inconvenience did the homeowner contend with?
In particular, ask whether the workers showed up at the agreed-upon time. Punctuality is a chronic problem in this industry, with companies often juggling several jobs at once. You may well get stranded in your home, waiting on a contractor who never materializes. While no one can assure you of on-time arrival—the job before yours could potentially run long—look for a general orientation toward customer service.
If your objective is to minimize the disruption to your home and routine, some companies offer newer refinishing techniques that are able to chemically clean the surface of the wood without sanding it.
When you think you’ve settled on a contractor, ask them to precisely explain their plan. Ask yourself whether you’ll feel comfortable with this person in your home, perhaps for several days. And always trust your instincts.
