Before installation
Mistakes customers make before the flooring crew arrives
A few simple planning errors can delay an installation or damage a new floor. Use this preparation guide before your start date.
The short version
Clear the right items, disclose the right information and plan around the full cure period — not just the day the coating is applied.
Mistake 1: leaving too much in the room
Small items, storage boxes, tools and loose furniture slow down preparation and make it harder to create a clean edge. Confirm what the flooring team will move and clear everything else before the agreed arrival time.
Mistake 2: not mentioning the floor history
Tell your contractor about old paint, coatings, oil spills, patch repairs, flooding, damp areas and previous DIY attempts. These details affect preparation and may change the recommended system or programme.
Mistake 3: scheduling other trades too close
Painting, cabinetry, deliveries and moving heavy appliances around the same period can create dust, traffic and accidental damage. Coordinate the flooring with other trades and leave a realistic buffer for cure time and unexpected preparation.
Mistake 4: planning to use the floor too soon
Do not plan a vehicle return, furniture delivery, event or business reopening around the earliest possible access time. Ask for the full staged cure plan and build in contingency so the finished surface is not put under pressure.
What to confirm at the pre-start conversation
A professional should be happy to confirm access, power, ventilation, storage, pets, children, parking, furniture, site protection and contact arrangements. Clear preparation is a shared responsibility and makes the installation smoother for everyone.
- What must be removed before the team arrives?
- Who is responsible for moving fixed or heavy items?
- How will dust, edges and adjacent finishes be protected?
- When can the space be used at each stage?
Want a clear answer for your space?