Request that your Contra Costa County flooring installer walk through the job with you after the new flooring is completely installed and before they leave the job site for the final time. Have them give you an invoice for the final bill. Look over the completed work with them and review it against your original contract and final invoice, ensuring that all work was completed as promised and that you were billed for only the work that was done and products that are represented. 

This is the time to ask your flooring installation contractor to make right any errors, mistakes, missing items or services, or other problems you see. You should also get clarification on questions you have or discrepancies. Have your flooring installer review with you any special cleaning, maintenance or wear instructions to help you keep your new flooring looking good for years to come.

Complete invoices will always include:

• The flooring installation contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all materials used.
• The total cost for the flooring installation services, including the itemized amount charged for labor.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the flooring manufacturers and flooring installation contractors.

Not all Contra Costa County flooring installers guarantee their work, but the best ones will. Together with warranties from the flooring manufacturers, installation warranties help protect you against errors, poor installation practices and materials that don’t stand up to your expectations.

If the flooring installation services in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Richmond and Brentwood, Clyde, Briones, Bethel Island, Oakley, Port Costa, Rheem Valley, Richmond, Walnut Heights, Diablo or your area provide warranties on their work, they should be willing to give you a written document that explains the warranty coverage, their obligations, and your duties. This should be part of your initial contract documents and should be signed by both you and your contractor.

For your protection, the following items should be included in any written guarantee document:

• The Contra Costa County flooring installation contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the flooring installer will repair or replace any faulty materials or workmanship. 
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated (meaning, the warranty coverage and amount owed for repair or replacement diminishes over time).
• If the warranty coverage is transferable to the new owner if you sell the building in which the new flooring was installed.
• Any actions or non-actions on your part that may invalidate or lessen the warranty.
• Information about manufacturer’s warranties or any third-party warranty coverage, and who is responsible for that guarantee should there be a problem.
• Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.

Some of the most popular types of flooring installation services requested of Contra Costa County flooring installers are listed below, along with a description of the services offered. 

Engineered Flooring Installation Services
Engineered flooring, including engineered wood flooring, is special composite flooring that is manufactured for a specific appearance, wear and quality. Most engineered wood flooring comes with specific instructions for installation to preserve its quality and stability. Whether you’re hiring in San Ramon, Danville, Brentwood, Martinez and Pleasant Hill or another area of Contra Costa County, ensure that your flooring installer understands how to put in engineered flooring before allowing work to begin.

Carpet laying Services
Carpet installation, also known as carpet laying, is a skilled job that should only be done by approved carpet companies in order to preserve the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with your new carpeting. Carpet installation usually requires the installation of a pad or cushion under the carpeting, as well as special attention to keeping the material taut to prevent wrinkles and bumps.

Bamboo Flooring Installation
Bamboo flooring, like other types of modern eco-friendly flooring options, requires specialty installation that takes into account its construction and special properties. Bamboo flooring is hardy, beautiful and a more green choice than other kinds of flooring; however, not all flooring installers in Contra Costa County and the Bay Area know how to handle it. Talk to your local flooring contractor about their experience with bamboo flooring and whether they are comfortable taking on your job, if that’s what you have in mind for your new flooring.

New Laminate Flooring Installation in Contra Costa County
Laminate flooring is growing in popularity again now that construction processes and manufacturing have caught up to make it a more economical and eco-friendly possibility. Laminate flooring is often easy to install and is a service most local flooring installers readily know how to do.

Garage Flooring Installation
Garage flooring installation services may include nonslip flooring, grease resistant flooring, concrete overlays, skid-resistant flooring, and other types of flooring that are especially suited to garages, basements and other areas that may be damp or used for more industrial purposes than homes. Some Contra Costa County flooring installers specialize in garage flooring surfaces.

Install Rubber Flooring
Like garage flooring, rubber flooring may be a nonslip, skid-resistant, moisture-proof flooring that is used in industrial situations or in homes. Rubber flooring can be made to look more like typical home flooring, and may be a good option for laundry rooms, basements, and even bathrooms, or rooms that are more prone to become wet or require specialty flooring. Talk with flooring installation companies in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Richmond and Brentwood and your area if you are interested in having rubber flooring installed to see if it’s the best option for you and your home.

Custom Oak Flooring Installation
Custom oak flooring, like other types of custom wood flooring, should only be attempted by a professional flooring installation service that is skilled at and experienced with custom wood floor installation. Depending on the materials, your custom wood flooring installation may require specialty installation techniques and on-site finishing that only experts may know how to do effectively.

Installation of New Tile Flooring in Contra Costa County
Tile floors are popular in bathrooms, entry ways, laundry rooms, pool decks and other indoor and outdoor applications. However, in the Bay Area where seismic movements and other factors may impact the sturdiness of tile applications, you’re smart to find a tile installer who can help you decide which tile is the best size and material for your home, which grouts and backings are necessary, and how thick the subflooring needs to be in order to prevent cracking and damage over time.

Professional Stone Flooring Installation
Stone floors such as granite, slate, marble, travertine, and other raw and manufactured stone products are very popular for their beauty, wear and the value they bring to homes. Homeowners who are considering stone floors should be ready to carefully interview stone flooring installers, though, so that they are sure to find good companies who can install the flooring appropriately for the space and in a way that protects the stability and strength of the stone without

 compromising the beauty of the installation. Because stone floors can be heavy, you may need a custom underlay or thicker subflooring to support the weight of the new stone floor installation.

Wood Flooring Installation
Wood flooring installation services depend on the type of wood planks the flooring is made out of, whether it’s solid wood, hardwood, manufactured wood, tongue-and-groove wood flooring or nail-down wood flooring planks. Wood flooring can be expensive, and is also a good value-builder for homes, but only if the flooring has been installed well by competent wood flooring installation services who understand the material and the complexity of installing it correctly.

Preferred Flooring Brand Installations in Contra Costa County
While independent flooring installation services in Contra Costa County, including those in Danville, Antioch, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Pittsburg and other areas, can install flooring by any manufacturer, there are some flooring brands that are more popular than others. The following are commonly-requested flooring brand installations made of Bay Area flooring installation companies.

• Armstrong Flooring Installation
• Daltile Flooring Installation Services
• Mohawk Flooring Installation
• Shaw Flooring Installer Services
• Mannington Flooring Installation
• Mirage Flooring Install
• Marmoleum Flooring Installation Services
• Bruce Hardwood Flooring Installation

acclimation
Acclimation is allowing new flooring to adjust to the environment where it will be installed, especially to allow it to adjust to the levels of moisture and humidity before installation. It is important to let flooring acclimate for at least 48 hours in the rooms where it will be installed before installation so that it is less likely to warp, crack, spread or have other problems once it’s in place.

Also known as: flooring acclimation, hardwood flooring acclimation

burl
A swirl or twist in the grain of hardwood flooring. Some types of hardwood floor have very distinctive burl patterns. Your flooring installation service should be conscious of burls, knots, coloration patterns and other unique attributes of your flooring when they place it for a better looking finished product.

Also known as: wood grain pattern, hardwood flooring grain, wood flooring burls

color variation
Some wood species have a natural color variation from board-to-board. This is true in hardwood flooring and manufactured wood flooring, including prefinished flooring. Ensure that your flooring installer knows how to appropriately space and lay flooring so that you don’t have unwanted patches of similar colored flooring, and instead have evenly distributed boards of varying colors.

Also known as: variegation, color patterns, hardwood flooring color variation 

certified flooring installers
Flooring installers and flooring installation companies that are certified by certain manufacturers to install their flooring products. Certified flooring installers often have to take classes and pass tests that label them as certified installers. Some flooring brands offer better warranties to customers who have flooring installed by certified installers. Other brands don’t guarantee flooring that is installed by anyone other than a certified flooring installer.

Also known as: certified hardwood flooring installers, company certified flooring installers, certified flooring installation services

DIY
DIY is an acronym for “do it yourself,” and refers to projects that can be done by homeowners and laypeople instead of only professionals. DIY levels range from easy to difficult, so be sure you know how hard the project is before you decide whether to do it yourself or call a professional flooring installer. More advanced projects may require complex tools, materials and more DIY project experience.

Also known as: Do It Yourself, do-it-yourself, diy projects

engineered hardwood flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is made from multiple layers of wood assembled in a cross-ply (sometimes known as “crisscross”) construction. The top layer shows a particular wood species and color when the planks are installed, while the underlying layers may be a different type of wood or even plywood. Due to its construction, engineered hardwood is more stable and hardy than most kinds of solid hardwood. This means it may last longer, stand up to rougher conditions, and can usually be installed in situations calling for higher grades of hardwood and over concrete subflooring or other less-perfect subfloors.

Also known as: engineered wood flooring, engineered flooring, engineered hardwoods

expansion
Changes in the size and shape of wood floor due to swelling and contracting of the floor boards as a result of moisture and humidity in the air. To help avoid this, flooring should be acclimated in the room where it will be installed for at least 48 hours before installation. Homes with wood flooring should also be careful to maintain moderate temperatures and humidity, and to avoid sudden or severe temperature and humidity swings. Hardwood floors should also be avoided in very wet rooms or rooms where moisture may pool on the floor.

Also known as: wood flooring expansion, floor board swelling, wood floor board contraction

expansion gap
A space between flooring boards intentionally left to account for and avoid damage due to expansion. Small expansion gaps are wise to prevent damage to wood floors.

Also known as: wood flooring gaps, flexion gaps

expansion spacing
Small spaces left between wood flooring edges and baseboards to allow for expansion are known as “expansion spacing”. These expansion spaces help prevent damage such as warped floorboards by leaving a little space for flooring to expand and contract near the baseboards. Without intentional expansion spacing, wood floors may buckle, warp, or pull up at the edges when exposed to humid conditions or moisture.

Also known as: floorboard spacing, expansion gap spacing, humidity expansion spacing

floating floor installation
Flooring installation method in which individual flooring planks are glued or interlocked together, without attachment to the subfloor is known as a “floating floor”. These floating floors are useful for reducing echoing and sound, and for certain types of wood flooring. It also allows homeowners to leave existing flooring in place when putting down new flooring. Floating floors can be installed over concrete, ceramic flooring, existing vinyl flooring, old wood flooring and even some types of low carpet.

Also known as: floating floor, floating flooring

flooring grade
Like with other building products, flooring comes in various grades, from low-grade and builder grade to high-grade and professional grade. Flooring grade reflects the quality of the flooring, and can often indicate how well it will stand up to use over time. Lower grades of flooring are usually less expensive than higher grades, but they may not offer the same value as higher grade flooring. Ensure your flooring installer is putting in the grade of flooring you expect. Flooring grade should be listed on your estimate and in the contract you sign.

Also known as: industrial grade flooring, residential grade flooring, professional grade flooring, flooring hardiness, value grade flooring

gloss
Different sheens of flooring is known as the floorings’ “gloss”. Gloss levels available include high gloss, semi-gloss, low gloss, and ultra-low gloss. Levels of flooring gloss depend on the type of flooring chosen, the flooring grade, and customer preferences. High-gloss flooring may be harder to maintain than other types of flooring because it may show dust and scratches more easily than lower-gloss flooring.

Also known as: gloss level, flooring gloss

grade level
Grade level refers to the level of construction relative to the ground around it. This, below-grade means below ground level, on-grade is at ground level, and above-grade is above ground level. Different types of flooring require different grade levels of installation.

Also known as: flooring grade level, flooring grade, grade of flooring

grain
The visible lines in wood that show the natural growth rings of the original tree are known as the wood’s grain. In some species, these can be very pronounced and can add a unique, beautiful pattern to the floor. Flooring installers should take care when installing wood flooring with pronounced grain so that all of the grain is running in the same direction, and to mix up the pattern so the floor is uniform and even to fit the customers’ tastes.

Also known as: wood grain, hardwood flooring grain

hand-scraped flooring
Hands-scraped flooring is also called hand-sculpted flooring. With hand-scraped flooring,  hardwood planks are individually scraped to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind floors with ridges, low areas and visual interest.

Also known as: hand-sculpted flooring, hand-scraped wood flooring, hand scraped wood flooring planks, hand scraped plank flooring

high-density fiberboard
The core board used to make engineered hardwood is known as high-density fiberboard, or HDF. HDF is harder and more durable than plywood because it is made by compressing fibers of wood chips and then joining them with an adhesive or binder at high temperatures.

Also known as: HDF

high pressure laminate
High pressure laminate is laminate flooring created with an extra-hard fusing process. The surface, inner layers, and backing layer of high pressure laminate flooring are fused in a multiple-step press operation to make it more durable and stable than other types of laminate flooring.

Also known as: HPL, high pressure laminate flooring

Janka Hardness Test
The Janka Hardness Test is the hardness rating which rates the hardness of various wood species on a scale. The Janka Rating helps flooring installers and homeowners decide which wood flooring is best for their needs.

Also known as: Janka Hardness Rating, Janka Rating, Janka Test

laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is a hard surface flooring that features a fiberboard core and Melamine top layer. Laminate flooring comes in blocks, planks, and squares. Laminate flooring is popular in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, entryways and other spaces that require a hardy and long-wearing flooring type.

Also known as: laminate floors, durable laminate flooring

laminate flooring glue
Laminate flooring glue is a special adhesive used to secure laminate flooring to the underflooring, and on other types of flooring, to provide extra durability and moisture resistance in areas that might be exposed to high moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Also known as: laminate flooring adhesive, flooring adhesive, flooring glue, durable flooring adhesive, durable flooring glue, flooring mastic

locking installation system for flooring
The locking installation method of installing laminate or wood flooring includes the use of a unique tongue-and-groove secured system that allows for easy installation of boards by just locking edges into place. No glue is required in locking floor installation systems, so it is a faster way to install flooring. This is a common method for DIY floor installation. Locking floor installations are a type of floating floor installation, so they are sometimes referred to as “locking floating floors”.

Also known as: locking floors, locking flooring installation system, locking floating floors

nail down
A “nail down” is a common flooring installation method that uses nails to attach flooring to the subfloor.

Also known as: nailed floor, nail secure flooring

natural stain
A clear finish for wood flooring that allows the natural colors and grain to show is known as a natural stain, since it doesn’t add artificial color or stain to the raw flooring.

Also known as: neutral stain, natural flooring stain, natural flooring stain, natural wood flooring stain

prefinished flooring
Hardwood floors that are stained and sealed by the manufacturer prior to installation are known as pre-finished flooring or prefinished flooring.

Also known as: prefinished flooring

radiant heated flooring
Heating systems installed under flooring are known as radiant heated flooring. This may be done by coils or water, depending on the installation. Radiant heating flooring systems are usually used under stone, tile, ceramic and other hard flooring that is often cold in winter.

Also known as: radiant heating, radiant heat floors, radiant heat flooring

site-finished flooring
Hardwood floors that are stained and sealed by the flooring installer or finishing contractor at the installation site are called site-finished flooring or unfinished flooring, as opposed to prefinished flooring.

Also known as: unfinished flooring, raw flooring

subfloor
The structural layer that supports the flooring, and on which some types of flooring may be installed is known as the subfloor.

Also known as: subflooring

tongue and groove flooring
Tongue and groove flooring refers to flooring with alternating grooves and protruding areas that fit together so the flooring can be snapped into place. This type of flooring often doesn’t require another type of adhesive to keep the boards together, making it a faster way to install flooring.

Also known as: tongue and groove floor installation, tongue and groove boards, tongue and groove floors

transition strip
A strip of flooring that bridges two floors of different heights to equalize the heights. Transition strips are functional and decorative, as they can tie in two rooms or two types of flooring with a finished look. A threshold is another name for a transition strip between two surfaces.

Also known as: transitional flooring strip, threshold

underlayment
The layer of material installed over a subfloor to provides a better or more stable surface for new flooring is called an underlayment. Underlayments can be waterproof, soundproof or moisture proof to help keep the new flooring secure and protected.

Also known as: flooring underlay

VOC
VOC is an acronym for volatile organic compounds, which are gases that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and upper respiratory infections.

Also known as: volatile organic compounds, VOCs

Your flooring installer should be able to answer all of your questions about your new flooring and how it pertains to your home and environment. However, some commonly-asked questions of flooring installers are listed below, together with common answers, for your information. 

As always, rely on your flooring installers advice for your specific questions about your new flooring or installing new flooring in your home or business.

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified flooring installation contractors?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a flooring installation service with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only flooring installation companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your new flooring installation is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified flooring installer.

Q: Is there a way to avoid flooring installation scams?
A: Yes. You can protect yourself from hiring unscrupulous flooring installers or those who would install cheap flooring that doesn’t offer you the value you’re seeking. First, know what you want and expect in your new flooring and from your local flooring installers. Focus on quality and value instead of price, and you’re more likely to find a quality installer. Then, interview several licensed and insured flooring installers over the phone before inviting the stand-outs to your home or business to give you an estimate for installation services. Compare at least two to three bids, paying special attention to look for detailed bids that outline specific materials, the installation techniques to be used, and line item costs for labor and materials. Again, look for the flooring installers that give details and specifics. You’ll also want to ask for and review the guarantees the flooring contractors offer. These should cover both the materials (if the installer is also providing the flooring to be installed) and the workmanship. The guarantee should give specific repair or replacement information, expiration dates, exclusions, and instructions for what to do if you need to make a claim. Then, sign a contract that serves the interests of both you and your flooring installation company. If you do these things, you’re more likely to weed out underperforming companies and those that are in the business only to make money rather than to serve customers. See the helpful articles above for specific interview questions to ask, tips on what to look for in local flooring installation companies, what should be included in warranty documents and contracts, and more.

Q: Can I save money by buying a cheaper carpeting and installing it over a higher-quality pad or cushion?
A: Good carpeting pads and high-quality cushion does help carpeting perform better, but it can’t improve the quality of cheap carpeting. If you buy low-quality carpeting and install it on good padding, your feet will feel more cushion when you step down, but you will still feel and see the lower quality of the carpeting. It may be scratchy or rough on your feet, and it will probably not look or wear as well as high quality carpeting. 

Q: How do laminate wood flooring panels fit together?
A: That depends on the type of laminate wood flooring you’ve purchased. Some laminate flooring brands easily snap or slide together by hand, others require the use of a laminate flooring installation mallet. Your flooring installer should be familiar with the specifics of the product you choose to ensure the best quality and longest lasting installation.  

Q: Where can I have new laminate flooring installed?
A: Laminate flooring is a customer favorite because it is so versatile and can go in almost any room of the house. However, laminate flooring is not usually the best choice for damp or wet locations, or locations that require wet mopping, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, porches and other similar rooms. Moisture can warp laminate flooring or cause it to swell, so you never want to install laminate flooring in rooms where there is a chance of standing water on the flooring. No matter where you install your new laminate flooring, you’ll want to be sure to clean up all liquid spills immediately and completely.

Q: What precautions should my flooring installer take before installing new laminate flooring?
A: Flooring installers should look for smooth, dry, flat sub-flooring on which to lay new laminate flooring. They should also consider putting a soundproof underlayer below new laminate flooring to reduce echoing and other unwanted noise. Concrete flooring and other base floors should have a waterproof barrier or vapor barrier installed before the new laminate flooring. You should also ensure that your flooring installer stores the new laminate flooring in your home—particularly in the room where it is to be installed—for at least 48 hours—before installation to allow for acclimatization and to prevent warping, gaps and other installation flaws. The laminate flooring installer should also be familiar with the product you’re contracting with them to install as well as any special manufacturer specifications for installation. The room where installation takes place should be at least 65 degrees, with a floor surface temperature of at least 59 degrees. Those temperatures should be in place and constant for at least three days before and after installation for the best installation possible.

Q: Can I install flooring as a wall covering or as a backsplash?
A: Most types of flooring are not recommended as wall coverings, backsplashes or other vertical surfaces. Talk with your flooring installation contractor about your specific job request and flooring type to see if what you want is possible and prudent. If the flooring type you want installed on a vertical surface isn’t a good fit, which it may not be, the contractor may be able to suggest a different product to achieve the same look you’re hoping for. 

Q: How much extra flooring should I order in case of emergencies?
A: Most flooring installers recommend planning for five to 10 percent more flooring than your original estimate calls for. This will allow for damage, waste or mistakes during installation and should leave you with some extra product you can keep on hand for future repairs should your new flooring become damaged.

Q: What is the difference between prefinished hardwood floors and unfinished hardwood floors?
A: Prefinished hardwood flooring is stained and sealed by the manufacturer at the plant before the sale or installation. Unfinished hardwood flooring is raw, unfinished wood flooring that is installed in your home or business before it is finished. Talk with your flooring installer about which is the best choice for you.

Q: Will there be variations in my flooring?
A: Yes, you can expect variations in flooring, especially if you are installing hardwood flooring, natural stone flooring, and even manufactured flooring. That is because natural products vary in grain, texture and color. Likewise, manufactured flooring may vary in color and finish depending on the batch. It is wise to buy all of the flooring (plus an additional five to 10 percent) you need at one time, so it is likely to come from the same production batch. Your installer should also take care to mix up boxes of prefinished flooring to keep the floor from being too uniform in some places, or lay out natural flooring pieces for inspection before installation to avoid any unwanted patches or concentrated areas that highlight color or pattern variances. 

Q: Can I buy different grades of flooring to match my budget?
A: Yes, most manufacturers offer good, better, best, premium, commercial and other grades of flooring. The prices of these grades changes depending on the quality, so it is possible to match the flooring grade to your needs, and possibly save money. Keep in mind, though, that flooring installation is an investment. Buying cheaper flooring to save money up front may end up costing you more in the long run if you end up replacing it (and thereby paying for flooring installation services) sooner than you would have had to replace a higher grade flooring or one with more value.

Q: What should I do if I experience a problem with my new flooring installation?
A: First, try to determine if it’s a problem with the floor itself or the installation. Review the contract and warranty documents you were given with the flooring or during the installation process for any special directions. Then, contact the store where you purchased the new flooring or your installer (f your installer was the one who supplied you the floor, you may contact them for either concern). For more information and detailed instructions on dealing with problems with your new flooring installation or your flooring installer, see the “If Things Go Wrong” section above.