Ask these eight questions on your very first call, before you talk price or timeline. They separate licensed, insured professionals from crews that will disappear when something goes wrong.

  1. “Can you send me your license number and current certificate of insurance (COI)?” Get both in writing before a walkthrough.
  2. “What are your general liability and workers’ comp coverage limits?” Ask for the actual dollar amounts, not just “we’re covered.”
  3. “How many jobs like mine have you installed, and can I get two recent references?” Push for the same flooring type you’re installing.
  4. “What subfloor prep and moisture testing is included, and which test method will you use?”
  5. “Can I get a written, itemized estimate, and how do you handle change orders?”
  6. “What’s your labor warranty, and who handles manufacturer claims if something fails?”
  7. “Who runs the job site day to day, and is your crew in-house or subcontracted?”
  8. “What’s the payment schedule, and will you provide lien waivers?”

Every one of these questions to ask flooring contractors has a specific, correct answer. A contractor who hesitates on any of them is telling you something.

Key Takeaways

The strongest predictor of a successful flooring install is whether the contractor names specific numbers, moisture test methods, flatness tolerances, and warranty terms, rather than general reassurances.

Point Details
Verify before you hire Confirm license number and COI directly with the state board and insurance carrier, not just the contractor’s word.
Demand specific test methods Ask which moisture test (RH probe, calcium chloride, pin meter) and flatness tolerance, such as 3/16 inch over 10 feet, they use.
Insist on itemized estimates Require material SKU, labor, demo, and underlayment broken out separately to avoid hidden change-order costs.
Separate the two warranties Get labor warranty terms in writing and confirm who registers the manufacturer’s product warranty.
Request lien waivers Ask for conditional or unconditional lien waivers before releasing final payment.

Table of Contents

Licensing, Insurance, and Verification: What Documents to Request

A license number and a certificate of insurance are not optional paperwork. They are the two documents that determine whether you’re liable if a worker gets hurt on your property or if the job goes sideways.

Here’s what to request and check, in order:

  1. License number, then confirm it’s active with your state’s contractor licensing board rather than trusting the number alone.
  2. Certificate of insurance (COI) naming general liability coverage, with policy number and effective dates spelled out.
  3. Workers’ compensation coverage, confirmed separately since some subcontractors carry liability insurance but skip workers’ comp entirely.
  4. Additional insured endorsement, which some HOAs and property managers require before work starts.
  5. Bond information for larger jobs. A bond protects you financially if the contractor fails to complete the work or pay subcontractors.

Don’t just accept a photocopy. Call the insurance carrier or the certificate-issuing agent directly and confirm the policy is active.

Pro Tip: Call the phone number listed on the COI, not one the contractor gives you separately. A legitimate agent will verify coverage in under five minutes.

Checking Real Experience and Certification for Your Flooring Type

Installing hardwood is a different skill set than installing luxury vinyl plank or laminate. A contractor who’s spent the past year doing mostly LVP jobs may not have the tools or the eye for a herringbone hardwood pattern, and vice versa.

  • Ask how many installs of your specific flooring type they’ve completed in the past 12 months, not lifetime totals.
  • Request recent photos of finished work using the actual product you’re considering, not a similar-looking stand-in.
  • Get two or three references tied to a comparable project scope, and when you call them, ask about timeliness, cleanup, and how quickly callbacks got resolved.
  • Ask whether the installer holds National Wood Flooring Association certification or manufacturer-specific training, since some warranties require certified installation to stay valid.
  • Read online reviews skeptically. A cluster of five-star reviews all posted the same week, with no photos and generic language, is a red flag worth asking about directly.

Recent references matter more than a big portfolio. A contractor’s crew, subs, and quality control can shift year to year, so a photo from three years ago tells you less than a client they worked with last month.

Subfloor Prep and Moisture Testing: The Questions That Prevent Failures

This is the section most homeowners skip, and it’s the one that causes the most expensive problems later: cupping, buckling, squeaking, or a floor that fails outright within a year.

Ask specifically which moisture test the installer will use. Options include a relative humidity (RH) probe, a calcium chloride test, or a pin-style meter, and each has different accuracy for different subfloor materials. Subfloor moisture testing and leveling is one of the strongest predictors of whether a hardwood, LVP, or laminate install holds up long term.

Thresholds matter too. Many manufacturers set limits for moisture in concrete and wood subfloors that should be followed to avoid damage. Ask which standard the installer follows, and insist they use the manufacturer’s published thresholds rather than a generic rule of thumb.

Flatness matters just as much as moisture. A widely used practical tolerance for hardwood is a small allowable unevenness over each 10-foot section. Ask the installer what tolerance they measure against, and whether they’ll patch or level high and low spots before installation, a detail our subfloor prep guide covers in more depth.

Finally, ask two more things: whether material acclimation is included in the timeline, and which installation method (nail, glue, or floating) they’re proposing for your room. A slab-on-grade basement calls for a different method than a second-floor bedroom, and the answer should match your specific conditions, not a default habit.

Comparing Estimates, Change Orders, and Payment Terms Fairly

A cheap bid that leaves out half the job isn’t actually cheap. It’s a bid designed to win the job on price, then pad the invoice with change orders once demo starts.

  1. Confirm every line item is broken out separately: material brand and SKU, labor, demo and disposal, underlayment, trim, adhesives, permits, and any allowances.
  2. Watch for lumped pricing. A vague quote that bundles “materials and labor” into one number with no breakdown is one of the most common causes of billing disputes.
  3. Get the change-order process in writing before signing anything, including how new pricing gets calculated and who has to approve it before work continues.
  4. Ask about the payment schedule. A reasonable structure ties payments to completed phases, not a large deposit upfront with the balance due on day one.
  5. Request lien waivers. Conditional and unconditional lien waivers confirm subcontractors and suppliers were paid, protecting you from a lien against your own property months later.

If a quote says “starts at” a certain price, treat that as a starting negotiation, not a real number.

What to Confirm Before Work Begins on Your Property

Get a written schedule broken into phases, not a verbal “should take about a week.” Ask directly what typically causes delays, like material backorders, subfloor surprises, or weather for any exterior work tied to the project.

  • Ask who runs the job site day to day and whether that person is a company employee or a subcontractor brought in for this project.
  • Confirm who’s responsible for material deliveries, staging areas, and any elevator or HOA coordination if you’re in a condo or multi-unit building.
  • Ask whether furniture moving is included or if you’re expected to clear rooms yourself.
  • Confirm what cleanup level is included daily and at project end, and whether a final walk-through or punch list is part of the standard process.

If you’re in a condo or high-rise, ask about sound rating requirements too. Some buildings require specific underlayment and IIC/STC ratings before management will approve the install. Our home prep checklist covers what to handle on your end before crews arrive.

Warranties, Callbacks, and Getting Problems Fixed

Two separate warranties cover your new floor, and confusing them is exactly how homeowners end up stuck between a supplier and an installer, each pointing at the other.

  • Get the labor warranty in writing: start date, duration, and what’s specifically excluded.
  • Ask whether the installer registers the manufacturer’s product warranty or whether that’s your responsibility, since missing this step can void coverage entirely.
  • Ask how callbacks work: expected response time, and what happens if the first fix doesn’t solve the problem.
  • Request full documentation at project closeout, including warranty paperwork and care instructions specific to your flooring material.

Pro Tip: Ask both warranty questions in the same conversation, and get the answer in writing. Manufacturer and labor warranties cover different failures, and a contractor who can’t explain the difference probably hasn’t handled a claim before. For a deeper look at warranty structures by product type, see our guide to hardwood warranty types.

A Screening Script and Checklist From Quality Hardwoods of Michigan

After 40-plus years supplying flooring materials to contractors across Michigan, Quality Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc has heard nearly every version of a good install and a bad one. Here’s a script you can use verbatim on your first call:

  1. “Can you text me your license number and COI now, before we schedule a walkthrough?”
  2. “What moisture test and flatness tolerance do you use on jobs like mine?”
  3. “Can you send two references from the last three months?”

Bring a short printed checklist to the in-person estimate: license and insurance confirmed, moisture test method named, flatness tolerance stated, written estimate promised, warranty terms explained.

Material notes worth asking about directly: solid hardwood needs the strictest moisture control, LVP tolerates more subfloor variation but still needs a flat surface, and laminate requires careful attention to expansion gaps near walls and doorways.

How to Handle a Dispute and Judge a Contractor’s Responsiveness

How a contractor responds before you’ve signed anything tells you almost everything about how they’ll respond after something goes wrong. Ask directly: “If we disagree about the quality of a repair, what happens next?”

A contractor with a real process will describe specific steps, not a vague promise to “make it right.” Ask whether disputes get resolved through a documented punch-list process, mediation, or small claims court as a last resort, and get that answer while you’re still comparing bids, not after a problem shows up.

Response time during the sales process is a preview of response time during a callback. If it takes three days to get a call back before you’ve paid a deposit, expect the same or worse once the final payment has cleared. Ask how they typically handle a homeowner who calls with a squeak or a gap two months after installation. A contractor who says “we’ll get someone out within a week” and can point to a recent example is more credible than one who says “that almost never happens.”

Also ask what’s included in your contract regarding dispute resolution specifically. Some written agreements specify mediation before litigation, which can save both sides significant time and legal cost if a disagreement does arise. If the contract is silent on this, ask them to add a clause, or at minimum, get their verbal commitment in writing over email so there’s a record of what was promised.

Responsiveness isn’t just about problems. Ask how quickly they typically answer questions during the active project, since a contractor who goes dark for days at a time mid-job is far more likely to do the same if an issue surfaces after final payment.

How to Handle a Dispute and Judge a Contractor's Responsiveness — overview diagram

Safety Practices and Regulatory Compliance on the Job Site

Ask directly whether crews wear proper protective equipment during demolition and installation, particularly when cutting materials that produce dust or when handling adhesives with strong fumes. A contractor who treats safety as an afterthought on-site is often the same contractor cutting corners on subfloor prep you can’t see once the new floor is down.

Installer cutting flooring wearing safety gear

Ask about how they handle old flooring removal, especially in homes built before 1980 where asbestos-containing materials like old vinyl tile or certain adhesives can be present. A responsible contractor will ask about your home’s age and recommend testing before disturbing old flooring rather than assuming it’s safe to rip out.

Ventilation matters during installation too, particularly with adhesives and finishes that carry strong odors or volatile organic compounds. Ask what ventilation steps they take and whether you’ll need to leave the space for a period during or after the work.

Ask whether their crew follows OSHA guidelines for tool use, especially with flooring nailers, saws, and sanders, and whether they carry the workers’ compensation coverage already discussed in the licensing section. A contractor who can speak specifically to safety protocol, rather than shrugging it off as unnecessary for a “simple flooring job,” is the one running a legitimate, insurable operation.

Matching Materials to Your Room’s Actual Conditions

The right flooring material depends on moisture exposure, foot traffic, and subfloor type in that specific room, not on what looks best in a showroom.

Solid hardwood offers the longest lifespan and can be refinished multiple times, but it’s sensitive to moisture and generally not recommended below grade or in full bathrooms. Engineered hardwood handles humidity swings better because of its layered construction, making it a stronger choice for homes with radiant heat or slight seasonal movement.

Luxury vinyl plank tolerates moisture well and holds up in kitchens, entryways, and basements where solid hardwood would struggle, though it doesn’t offer the same resale cachet or refinishing option down the line. Laminate sits in between on cost and durability, handling moderate traffic well but performing poorly in standing water or high-humidity rooms without the right underlayment.

Ask your contractor to name the specific product they’re recommending and explain why it fits your room’s moisture level, subfloor type, and household use, rather than accepting a generic answer like “this is popular right now.” A contractor who can explain the tradeoffs for your exact space, not just the product’s marketing points, is one worth trusting with the rest of the estimate.

Ready to Talk Materials Before You Finalize Your Contractor?

Once you’ve screened a contractor using these questions, the next step is matching the right product to your project. Quality Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc has spent over 40 years supplying contractors, builders, and homeowners across Michigan with hardwood, LVP, and laminate flooring, along with the stains, finishes, and installation guidance that go with them.

If you’re planning a new hardwood install, our hardwood flooring services for new construction page walks through product options and what to expect. Considering something more moisture-resistant for a kitchen or basement? Browse our luxury vinyl plank flooring options to see what fits your room’s conditions. Visit our Michigan showroom, request a quote by phone, or explore our full flooring product catalog before you sign a contract with anyone.

What Most Contractor Checklists Get Wrong

Most flooring guides treat this like a paperwork exercise: get the license, get the insurance, get three references, done. That’s the floor, not the ceiling. The homeowners who end up with a floor that cups within eighteen months almost always skipped the same two questions: what moisture test did you actually run, and what number did it come back with?

Generic advice tells you to “ask about experience.” Better advice tells you to ask for the specific flatness tolerance a contractor measures against and whether they’ll show you the reading before installing. A contractor who can’t answer that hasn’t been checking, which means they’ve been guessing on every job, including yours.

The other blind spot is treating warranties as one thing. They’re two separate promises from two separate parties, and the contractors who get cagey about which one covers what are usually the ones who don’t want to be the party holding the bag later.

If you only have time for three questions, make them the moisture test method, the flatness tolerance, and who specifically handles a warranty claim. Everything else on this list matters, but those three expose whether you’re hiring a professional or a crew that got lucky on their last few jobs.

Sources

FAQ

How do you negotiate a flooring quote with a contractor?

Get two or three itemized bids first, then ask each contractor to explain any gap in price, specifically around material grade, subfloor prep, or labor scope, rather than simply asking for a discount on the total.

What should I know before buying new flooring?

Match the material to your room’s moisture level and traffic first, then confirm your contractor’s subfloor prep and moisture testing plan, since installation quality affects a floor’s lifespan more than the product choice alone.

How do I get a fair deal on flooring without cutting corners?

Compare bids on identical scope, insist on written line items for materials and labor, and treat the lowest bid with suspicion if it lacks a breakdown of what’s included, since vague pricing is a common source of disputes later.

What’s the most important question to ask a flooring contractor?

Ask which moisture test and flatness tolerance they use on the subfloor before installation, since subfloor prep and moisture testing are the leading predictors of whether the floor holds up long term.

Should I pay a full deposit before work starts?

No. A reasonable payment schedule ties payments to completed project phases, and you should request lien waivers before releasing the final payment to confirm subcontractors and suppliers were paid.