More floor: Because I did it wrong

May 15, 2013

Professional Flooring Supply in Denver believes that if a customer orders 50 boxes of flooring and so far the customer has opened 10 boxes of short-length boards their motto is the following: “It’s the luck of the draw.”

Buyer beware.

When buying flooring, know a few things that could make/break your experience:

Ask the supplier about the board lengths and have a clear conversation about what your expectations are.
Don’t buy flooring unless you see a large area installed with your chosen flooring such as a showroom.
Who made the flooring? Make sure you know that so if there’s trouble you have another recourse.
Know how your product will be packaged and delivered.
Read the small print on the side of the boxes – FYI – it will tell you that dust from your product causes cancer.
Will it be in boxes? Will it be visible so it can be inspected?
Make sure delivery people have floor coverings so your floors/carpets aren’t ruined.
Make sure that any damage (say posts marking your driveway that are mowed down by a careless delivery driver) are repaired.
Understand that the company won’t come and get any defective flooring and deliver (without any charge) a product that meets your expectations.
Do your homework, check sites such as Angie’s List.
Don’t always believe recommendations from people you don’t know all that well. At the first sign of a red flag (such as the contractor originally scheduled to install the wood is all-of-a-sudden too busy to do your install of 1,300 square feet and calls it “too small of a job.”) stop and review your choice of contractor. Not everyone that has a recommendation has your best interest at heart.
Find your own supplier. Find your own contractor. Buy local so when you have to chew someone’s ass out, you can land your anger at their doorstop. It’s easy for a company to blow off a phone call but an angry customer in the showroom is something to be shared by all.

Learn from my experience with buying hardwood floors for the Bar B. I approached this all wrong from start to finish and from me to you, don’t make the same mistakes and buy flooring from Professional Flooring Supply in Denver.

There’s a part of me that will always look at my new floors with a bit of regret.