Flooring checklists

Quote checklist. Product name, color and thickness. Square footage measured, not estimated. Waste allowance. Tear-out and haul-away — expect roughly $1–$6 per square foot. A stated per-square-foot rate for subfloor repair if damage is found. Underlayment or vapor barrier. Baseboard and shoe molding by linear foot. Transition strips and thresholds by count. Stairs priced per step. Start date, duration, and payment schedule.

Vetting checklist. Confirm the license status your state requires — requirements differ by state, so check with your own state contractor board rather than taking a contractor's word. Ask for a current certificate of general liability and workers' compensation insurance sent directly from the insurer. Ask who is physically installing, and whether they are employees or subcontractors. Ask for two references from jobs completed more than a year ago, not last month.

Before demolition. Get moisture readings recorded. Photograph the room, the walls and any existing damage. Confirm furniture and appliance handling. Agree on where debris goes and who pays for the dumpster. Ask what happens if asbestos-containing vinyl or mold is discovered — abatement runs about $5–$20 per square foot and mold remediation $10–$25.

Punch list. Sight down every run in daylight for high spots, gaps and lippage. Check the expansion gap at walls behind the baseboard. Open and close every door. Check every transition. Check stair nosings. Confirm the finish is even under raking light. Only then release the balance.

How to choose

Ask for exclusions in writing

The list of what is not included tells you more about the final bill than the list of what is.

Verify insurance with the insurer, not the contractor

Certificates are easy to fake and easy to let lapse. Ask for it to be sent to you directly.

Never pay more than a modest deposit up front

Material deposits are normal. A demand for most of the money before work starts is not.

Do the walkthrough in daylight

Overhead light hides lippage and finish flaws. Low-angle daylight shows everything.

Keep leftover material and the labels

The boxes carry the dye lot and product codes. Both matter for repairs and warranty claims.