Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in El Paso, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Flooring Contractor in El Paso

The installation or repair of any flooring is a tedious and delicate process. It involves using various cutting tools, mathematical calculations, and handling hazardous adhesives. All these factors and details are best managed by skilled and experienced contractors. Note, poorly finished flooring increases maintenance costs and are less durable. Flooring completed by top professionals may see you recover as much as 106 percent of the installation cost.

As such, before you hire a flooring contractor in El Paso, ask the following question to ensure you end up with a licensed, insured, and skilled professional:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in El Paso?

Flooring contractors in El Paso are not required to obtain a license from the state or city government before providing any flooring service in the city. Nonetheless, Section 18.02.104 of the El Paso Code of Ordinances provides that flooring contractors must register with the city's Planning and Inspections Department before applying for and obtaining city-issued permits. These permits are usually required for various projects, such as remodeling and new construction. In El Paso, performing this type of work without securing all the necessary permits is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 per offense.

Flooring contractors can register by completing and submitting a Contractor Registration Application Form to the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department's One Stop Shop at:

811 Texas Avenue
El Paso, TX 79901
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Fridays

In addition to this, applicants are required to meet other additional eligibility requirements such as:

  • Paying an applicable registration fee
  • Providing proof of adequate general liability insurance coverage
  • Posting a mandatory blanket building construction bond and submitting proof of this
  • Providing proof of proper business registration in the form of a city-issued Assumed Name Certificate and other necessary state-issued corporate documents
  • Providing any additional documentation that the department may ask for at the time of the registration

The city's Planning and Inspections Department can provide you with more information about the registration requirements for general contractors in El Paso. You can also reach them at (915) 212-0104, via email, or in person at its One Stop Shop location provided above. You can also use the department's communication channels to confirm that the flooring contractor you hire has the necessary permits. Doing this before finalizing arrangements with the contractor is always a good idea.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in El Paso?

In El Paso, flooring contractors use varying pricing structures and methods to determine their charges. Although they usually base their charges on linear, hourly, square foot, or per-service, the total cost can vary depending on factors such as:

  • The project's complexity and scope.
  • Type of flooring material
  • your locality within the city
  • Size and current condition of your floor surface
  • the flooring contractor's reputation and skill sets
  • The labor intensity of the project

As such, before you hire a professional for your project, you should get and compare rates of multiple flooring installers in the city. Doing so will allow you to avoid getting ripped off by the flooring contractor. This will also help you identify any flooring installer who tries to overcharge you.

Flooring contractors in El Paso earn an estimated annual wage of $39,610. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for El Paso flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Texas along with other major cities in the United States:

El Paso Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.41
San Antonio Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.87
Austin Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.41
Nashville Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$17.28
Jacksonville Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$19.04
New York City Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$38.03
Philadelphia Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$37.89
Chicago Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$34.59
Los Angeles Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$30.67
Phoenix Flooring Contractors Average Hourly Wage
$22.33
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?

When choosing a floor installer in El Paso, it is essential to check if they are certified or have a membership with a professional organization. Having a well-trained and experienced floor installer can help you avoid costly repairs and maintain the quality of your wood floors.

These organizations have the necessary resources and training to help their members improve their skills and provide the best possible service. Mediation can also be arranged if the floor installer fails to provide the expected results. Some of the organizations that El Paso-based floor installers are commonly associated with include:

  • The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
  • The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
  • The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
  • The El Paso Association of Contractors
  • The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
  • The Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas

Before signing any contracts with a floor installer, make sure that you confirm any certification or membership with a professional organization they claim to possess

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

Although it is not surprising that certain types of floors get wear and tear, proper care and maintenance can help keep them looking their best for many years. However, there are some situations that can seriously damage your floors:

  • Pet nails, furniture, and other similar hard objects that leave scratches and cause dents
  • Dirt and debris being tracked in
  • Poor or faulty initial installation
  • Inadequate maintenance and negligence

Several of the most significant floor cross-sections in your home can be affected by these types of damages.

  • Floor Surface: This visible part of the floor is mainly affected by these types of damages because of the continuous activity on it. The most common reasons for these issues include improper cleaning, sun fading, and scratches.
  • Subfloor: This floor section is usually placed beneath the flooring material's surface to support and keep it leveled. Water-related issues can cause subfloor damage.
  • Joists: The supporting floor component is known as a joist, installed beneath the flooring material's surface. In most buildings, the joist plays an important structural role. It helps keep the floor level and supports the room above it. If you notice any damages to this component, immediately contact a professional.

Before hiring a flooring contractor in El Paso, ensure they are qualified and experienced to handle the specific floor damage you are experiencing. Also, be sure to ask them about their fee and any other details you will need to agree to before any work begins.

Here are the different types of floor repair services and price ranges that local El Paso contractors offer:

Estimates based on flooring material per square foot:

Carpet
$1 - $3
Hardwood
$3 - $20
Engineered wood
$3.50 - $19
Concrete
$5 - $10
Vinyl
$1.50 - $5
Laminate
$1.50 - $6
Tile
$7.25 - $12
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on type of damage:

Scratches
$75 - $1,000
Squeaky floors
$185 - $1,000
Bubbling
$200 - $600
Buckling
$200 - $2,500
Warping
$200 - $2,500
Water damage
$1,000 - $5,000
Uneven floor
$1,850 - $15,000
Sagging/Sunken floor
$2,000 - $20,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on repair solution:

Floorboard repair (per board)
$85 - $350
Flooring replacement (per square foot)
$5 - $60
Floor patching (per patch)
$200 - $1,000
Floor surface repair (per square foot)
$3.50 - $20
Subfloor repair (per room)
$200 - $1,000
Subfloor replacement (per square foot)
$3 - $12
Floor joist repair/replacement (per joist)
$450 - $2,250
Floor refinishing (per room)
$700 - $1,500
Floor leveling (per room)
$1,100 - $15,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on floor location:

Bathroom (for 35 – 75 square foot floor)
$300 - $2,200
Mudroom (for 40 – 75 square foot floor)
$375 - $2,200
Kitchen (for 100 – 200 square foot floor)
$520 - $6,050
Foyer (for 100 – 200 square foot floor)
$530 - $6,050
Living room (for 300 – 400 square foot floor)
$885 - $9,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in El Paso?

Before choosing a flooring contractor in El Paso, it is important that you thoroughly research their services and make sure that it aligns with your specific flooring needs. There are four main types of services that a professional flooring contractor can offer, including:

  • Floor repair
  • Floor maintenance
  • New floor installations
  • Old floor removals and replacement

Most flooring contractors in El Paso offer these services for a variety of different types of flooring materials, such as:

  • Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring materials due to its durability and attractiveness. It can be made from wood species such as oak, cherry, bamboo, and maple, as well as exotic wood such as mango, teak, and woodcraft. These are also available in different varieties and finishes, including solid hardwood, finished hardwood, and engineered hardwood. Although hardwood floors are relatively easy to maintain, they can be prone to water damage and scratches.
  • Tile Flooring: Although tile floors have a wide variety of colors and designs, it is important to install them properly so that they are easy to maintain and have minimal flaws. There are various tile floors, such as engineered, ceramic, and porcelain.
  • Laminate Flooring: Unlike hardwood and tile, laminate flooring is relatively easy to maintain and provides the same level of beauty and durability. However, it is also prone to moisture damage.
  • Vinyl Flooring: One of the most popular flooring materials for kitchens and bathrooms is vinyl because it is resilient to water and moisture and has low maintenance requirements. It can be made from various materials, such as sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks (LVP), and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).
  • Carpet Flooring: Two types of carpet flooring are used in El Paso: natural and synthetic fiber. Natural fiber carpets are more eco-friendly, while synthetic fiber is more affordable and stain-resistant.

When hiring a flooring contractor in El Paso, ensure they have the necessary equipment and experience to handle your preferred flooring materials. Also, ensure that you and the contractor agree on the price of their services before work commences. Below are price ranges for common flooring services offered in El Paso:

Laminate floor installation (per square foot, for mid-grade laminate)
$4.07 - $4.71
Laminate floor installation (per square foot, for solid-based epoxy)
$3 - $4.65
Vinyl floor installation (per square foot, for mid-grade tile)
$2.85 - $3.62
Linoleum floor installation (per square foot, for mid-grade tile)
$3.89 - $4.70
Wood flooring installation (per square foot, for mid-grade solid hardwood)
$5.97 - $8.37
Wood floor refinishing (per square foot)
$2.97 - $3.61
Ceramic tile installation (per square foot, for mid-grade tile)
$5.70 - $7.26
Tile and grout cleaning (per square foot, for cleaning and sealing)
$1.10 - $1.84
Tile removal (per square foot)
$2.69 - $3.57
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

If your home has old hardwood floors, you might want to think about refinishing them instead of replacing them entirely. Refinishing is a procedure that involves sanding the floor surface and coating it with new stain and lacquer. This process should not be confused with resurfacing, a typically more labor-intensive procedure that entails removing old floorboards, leveling up uneven ones, and reinforcing floor planks with fresh nails.

Refinishing is an excellent way to renovate your hardwood floors and preserve their natural beauty, and you can also recoup up to 100 percent of the cost of these projects. The cost of refinishing a hardwood floor in El Paso typically ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot, but the project's actual cost will depend on the size of the floor and the labor required. Also, while it is possible to refinish and even resurface your hardwood floors yourself, leaving these activities to qualified flooring contractors is recommended to ensure that they are carried out correctly and with the fewest possible mistakes.

Even though experts typically advise that you refinish your hardwood floors every seven to ten years or roughly four to six times throughout its lifespan, you should initiate this project if you notice that your floor:

  • Has significant dents and scratches
  • Has splinters
  • Has water stains or other difficult-to-remove stains
  • Is bending downwards from its edges
  • Is turning gray or showing other signs of discoloration and fading

Additionally, there are some situations where you may need to replace your hardwood floors, such as when:

  • The floor has undergone multiple refinishing projects.
  • The floor has sustained significant water, scratch, mark, or dent damage
  • The floorboards are creaking or moving
  • Nails are poking through the floor

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

When choosing a flooring contractor in El Paso, one of the most critical factors you should consider is whether or not they will provide you with a warranty. There are two types of warranties that are typically offered by professional contractors including:

  • Manufacturer Warranties: The warranty covers the actual flooring, and the product manufacturer determines the warranty's validity period. In El Paso, the manufacturer's warranty for different flooring materials typically has the following validity periods.
    • Hardwood - at least 25 years
    • Laminate - 10 to 30 years
    • Vinyl - 10 to 20
    • Carpet - 10 to 20 years
    • Tile – 10 to 25 years

The validity periods for commercial flooring products are typically shorter than those for residential ones. Also, the manufacturer's non-transferable warranty only applies to the original property or homeowner. However, some manufacturers of flooring products provide a way for people to transfer their flooring warranty to a homeowner as long as the new owner takes ownership of the home within a defined time frame.

  • Installation/Workmanship Warranties: Professional flooring contractors offer a one-year warranty on installation work. These warranties cover the work that the flooring installer does.

Before you finalize the hiring process of a local flooring contractor to install your new flooring, ensure that you confirm that you will be offered a warranty. Also, ensure you thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of the warranty to avoid voiding it. The following are factors that can void a flooring warranty:

  • Natural disaster
  • Incorrect installation
  • Inadequate care and maintenance of the installed flooring material
  • Repair work carried out by unlicensed or unprofessional flooring contractors

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Regarding flooring projects, there is usually a lot of debris and dirt that can be generated due to the process. In addition to the installation of the flooring, it's also important that the contractor provides post-clean-up activities. This should be included in your contract with the flooring installer, and ensure the cleanup is carried out before the new flooring is officially used.

In El Paso, there are various types of floors that need to be appropriately maintained. Here are some tips that will help you keep them looking their best:

Flooring material Do's Don'ts
Wood
  • Wipe off spills promptly.
  • Dust and wipe regularly.
  • Use soft mops.
  • Use appropriate polishing material and cleaners recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Always use wood-specific floor cleaners.
  • Use soft-bristle brooms.
  • Never use wet mops.
  • Never wash floors with water.
  • Do not vacuum with a beater bar.
  • Do not use stiff brooms for sweeping.
  • Do not steam-clean the floor.
Laminate
  • Use floor protectors or glides on the bottom of furniture to prevent scratches and abrasions.
  • Remove dirt and grime through dust mopping or vacuuming. Use a damp mop occasionally, and always wipe the floor dry with a clean cloth.
  • Do not use soap-based detergents for cleaning.
  • Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, or steel wool.
  • Do not drag furniture on the floor.
  • Do not flood the floor with water or cleaner.
  • Never refinish or sand your floor.
Vinyl
  • Sweep and vacuum frequently.
  • Mop with clean, warm water to remove stubborn dirt and rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
  • Always use cleaners recommended by the product manufacturer.
  • Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar.
  • Do not use abrasive cleaners, detergents, or "mop and shine" products
Tile
  • Clean spills as quickly as possible to avoid stained grout.
  • Always take precautions when moving heavy objects across the floor to avoid scratches and cracks.
  • Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to minimize scratching.
  • Consider caulking and sealing the floor after installation to extend its lifespan.
  • Never use scouring powder, steel wool, or any other abrasives that can scratch the tile's finish.
  • Do not use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in El Paso?

In Texas, over 460 fatal and over 178,000 nonfatal work-related injuries were reported in 2020. Construction and building-related injuries were responsible for 27 percent of all such fatalities. When it comes to home remodeling and building projects in El Paso, the insurance status of the flooring contractor is very important to consider. Doing so will not make you liable for any injuries that happen during the project, and it will also not require you to cover the costs of damages to your property.

Flooring contractors who wish to register with the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department must provide proof of insurance and bonding as provided below:

  • General liability insurance coverage of at least $250,000 for bodily injury per person or $500,000 in aggregate, and $100,000 for property damage, either per occurrence or in aggregate
  • Blanket Building Construction Bond of $25,000

To this end, before hiring a flooring contractor in El Paso, confirm their insurance and bonding status by requesting a copy of their certificates. It is also important to check if their minimum liability limits will cover the scope of your project. To confirm, you can contact the relevant issuing organization and get more information on the insurance and bond requirements for flooring contractors in El Paso by contacting the city's Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104.

How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in El Paso

You can file a complaint against a fraudulent flooring contractor in El Paso with the Texas Attorney General's Office.

The Texas Attorney General's Office handles over 30,000 consumer complaints annually, including matters related to home remodeling and building projects carried out by dishonest contractors. In El Paso, numerous flooring contractors prey on residents planning on getting flooring or home remodeling projects done. Some of the various tactics used by these unscrupulous flooring contractors to scam their clients in El Paso include:

  • Quoting premium prices for flooring materials only to use substandard and inferior products instead
  • Over-measuring the floor area that needs to be worked on to increase their charges
  • Demanding large sums of money upfront, then delivering subpar services or leaving their clients with unfinished projects.

In October 2021, a local television station reported that a contractor in El Paso had scammed a couple out of thousands of dollars. The contractor reportedly failed to deliver on their home remodeling project and left the clients with unfinished work. To this end, when planning to hire a flooring contractor for your next project, you should use the following tips to avoid falling for scams:

  • Always verify the registration status of your intended flooring contractors by calling the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department at (915) 212-0104 or via email,
  • Always request verifiable references from past clients.
  • Get and compare quotes from at least three flooring contractors before making the final hiring decision.
  • Get referrals to reputable flooring contractors in El Paso from friends and family who have experience with the same type of work. You can also get referrals from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and the National Wood Flooring Association.
  • Check out reviews and ratings of flooring contractors online via websites such as Google Review, Better Business Bureau, and Yelp.
  • Make sure that you get a written contract from the contractor. This document should clearly state the terms of the work that will be performed.
  • Do not sign a blank contract.
  • Avoid cash transactions
  • Avoid paying the entire cost of the project upfront. Limit any advance payments to one-third of the project's total cost.

If you have been a victim of a home remodeling or building project in El Paso that a dishonest flooring contractor carried out, you can file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office by calling 1-800-621-0508. Alternatively, you can fill out and submit a consumer complaint form online or by mailing a completed consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548

You can also file a legal action against the unscrupulous flooring contractor in an appropriate EL Paso County Justice of the Peace Courts precinct. However, before you commence legal action against the flooring contractor, getting proper legal advice from an attorney is best. You can use the State Bar of Texas's Lawyer Referral and Information Service to find qualified attorneys in El Paso.