Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth
When planning a home remodeling or new construction, it is wise to hire a professional flooring contractor to install, refinish, or repair your floor. Working with a handyman or an untrained hand may leave you with inferior material and warped floors. A professional flooring contractor will help
- Pick the right flooring materials and style suitable for your home
- Guarantee an error-free job that reduces high maintenance costs during use
- Complete a flooring that boosts your interior appeal and your home value by up to 10 percent
However, before you hire anyone claiming to be a professional flooring contractor in Fort Worth, it is recommended to ask the following questions to determine their proficiency:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
- Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?
- How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?
- What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Fort Worth?
- Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
- Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?
- Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth?
Flooring contractors in Fort Worth are not required to obtain any occupational license before operating in the city. Although flooring contractors in Fort Worth do not have to follow an occupational licensing process, they are still required to register with the Fort Worth Development Services Department as building contractors if they require a permit.
To register as a flooring contractor in the city of Fort Worth, interested individuals must complete and submit a Contractor Registration Application Form, along with a copy of their valid driver's license and applicable registration fees, to:
City of Fort Worth Development Services DepartmentCity Hall
Lower Level
200 Texas Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
To inquire about the registration process for flooring contractors in Fort Worth, contact the city's Development Services Department at (817) 392-2222. You can also check the status of your intended window contractor by calling this number.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
In Fort Worth, flooring contractors typically calculate how much you will be charged using per-service, linear foot, hourly, or square foot rates. The total cost of hiring these professionals can vary depending on various factors:
- The scope and nature of the flooring project
- The size of the area to be worked on
- The current condition of the floor
- The type of flooring material to be used
- Your location within the city
- The flooring contractor's reputation and level of experience
- The complexity and labor intensity of the job
Before you hire a flooring contractor in Fort Worth, you should get and compare cost estimates from multiple flooring installers in the city. Doing so will give you an idea of the project's average cost. Also, it will help you avoid getting ripped off because you can easily spot fraudulent flooring contractors.
Flooring contractors in Fort Worth earn an estimated annual wage of $40,380. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Fort Worth 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:
Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?
When choosing a flooring contractor in Fort Worth, you should also consider whether or not they are certified by a professional organization. Besides providing their customers with the best possible service, floor installers who belong to a recognized organization have access to various industry-related resources, such as insurance and training. This means that you have a better chance of getting the best possible service, and it gives you an avenue for mediation in unsatisfactory work by the floor installer.
Some of the organizations that Fort Worth-area floor installers can usually join include:
- The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
- The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
- The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
- The Greater Fort Worth Builders Association (GFWBA)
- The National Association of Minority Contractors – Fort Worth Chapter
- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Before signing any contract with a floor installer in Fort Worth, make sure you request the necessary documents to confirm their claims of belonging to a recognized organization.
How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?
Although floors can usually last for many years, they can still suffer from wear and tear due to the amount of foot traffic they are constantly subjected to on a day-to-day basis. Certain factors can cause severe damage to your floor, such as:
- Tracked-in dirt and debris
- Poor or improper installation
- Inadequate care and maintenance by the homeowner
- Scratches and dents from pet nails, furniture, and other similar objects
The damages caused by these factors can affect various key parts of the floor cross-section:
- Floor Surface: This visible part of the floor is often the subject of damage due to the foot traffic it receives. Some factors that can cause these damages include scratches, dents, exposure to the sun, and improper cleaning.
- Subfloor: This non-visible part of the floor is usually installed under the floor's material to support it. Water-related issues can often cause damage to this area.
- Joists: This floor section is usually installed under the subfloor to support the weight of the room above it and the floor itself. Joists are essential structural components of most buildings, and any damage should immediately be fixed.
As such, when hiring a Fort Worth flooring contractor, ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to address the specific issues affecting your floor. Another vital aspect to consider is how much it will cost you to hire the service of the flooring installer. A written agreement with the contractor is a good way to ensure that they provide the best possible service as promised.
Price ranges for common floor repair services provided by professional Fort Worth flooring contractors are provided below:
Estimates based on flooring material per square foot:
Estimates based on damage per square foot:
Estimates based on repair solution:
Estimates based on floor location:
What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Fort Worth?
Before you hire a flooring contractor in Fort Worth, it's essential that you thoroughly research their services and their offerings so that you can be certain that they can provide you with the best possible service. There are four main categories of flooring services that the contractors in the city can offer:
- Floor repair
- Floor maintenance
- New floor installations
- Old floor removal and replacement
These services are usually offered over different types of flooring materials.
- Hardwood Flooring: One of the most common flooring materials is hardwood due to its attractive and durable properties. It can be made from wood species such as oak, cherry, maple, and bamboo, as well as more exotic wood such as teak, ash, and mesquite. Although hardwood floors are relatively easy to maintain, they can also be prone to water damage and scratches.
- Tile Flooring: Tile is another material commonly used because of its attractive and durable properties. However, it requires expert installation to ensure that it's laid evenly on both level surfaces and without irregularities.
- Laminate Flooring: For a more affordable and durable alternative to hardwood, consider laminate flooring made from various wood and natural materials. However, it is prone to moisture damage.
- Vinyl Flooring: One of the most common flooring materials commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens is vinyl. This type of material is also very cost-effective and has low maintenance requirements. It can be made from solid and semi-solid materials such as sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank, and luxury vinyl tile.
- Carpet Flooring: This material is usually made from either natural or synthetic fiber. Natural fiber carpet flooring is more eco-friendly and easier to clean. Meanwhile, synthetic fibers are cheaper, stain-resistant, and easier to clean.
Before hiring a flooring contractor in Fort Worth, ensure you confirm they are knowledgeable about the various types of flooring you need. They should also be able to provide you with the necessary services to ensure that your floor is in good condition. Another important aspect of this process is to agree on the price of their services.
Below are cost estimates for common flooring services in Fort Worth:
Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
If your hardwood floors are old, consider having them refinished instead of replacing them. The refinishing process involves applying new lacquer and stain to the old surface. Note that refinishing is not the same as resurfacing. Resurfacing is a more labor-intensive process that involves replacing the old planks, fixing the uneven ones, and reinforcing the floor with new nails.
Refacing or repairing your hardwood floors can help them retain their natural beauty and boost their value. Although it's possible to do it yourself, hiring a professional contractor is best to ensure the project is carried out correctly. The average cost of hardwood floor restoration is around $3 to $5.50 per square foot. However, factors such as the size of the work involved and the labor intensity can affect the final price.
Although most professional hardwood floor contractors recommend that you have your floors refinished every seven to ten years, it's still recommended to do it immediately if you notice the following:
- Splinters
- Turning gray
- Major scratches and dents
- Bends downwards around the edges
- Signs of discoloration and sun fading
- Water stains or other impossible-to-remove stains
Nonetheless, you may need to replace your hardwood floors under certain circumstances, such as:
- When there is discoloration
- Creaking or moving floorboards
- When nails are peeking through the floor
- When the floor has been refinished multiple times
- When the floor has significant water, marks, or scratches, damages
Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?
Finding out if you will be offered a warranty is another important question to ask prospective floor installers in Fort Worth. Professional floor installers in the city typically offer two types of warranties, namely:
- Manufacturer Warranties: these warranties are for the actual flooring material, and the manufacturer and the type of flooring material determine their validity and coverage. However, the manufacturer warranties offered in the city usually have the following validity periods -
- Hardwood – at least 25 years
- Laminate – 10 to 30 years
- Vinyl – 10 to 20 years
- Carpet – 10 to 20 years
Note that manufacturer warranties usually have shorter validity periods for flooring materials installed for commercial use. Furthermore, these warranties are typically non-transferable, and the protection they provide usually only applies to the original home or property owner who purchased the flooring material. However, some product manufacturers may offer options that allow their warranties to be passed from one homeowner to another, provided that the new owner takes possession of the residence where the flooring material is installed within a predetermined duration.
- Installation/Workmanship Warranties: these warranties typically have a validity duration of at least one year and cover the actual work done by the flooring installer
Always verify that your prospective flooring installer offers warranties before entering into agreements with them. Ensure that you review the terms of these warranties properly to avoid situations that can void them. Some common examples of these types of situations include:
- Improper installation
- Inadequate/inappropriate use, care, and maintenance
- Negligence
- Repair work done by unapproved flooring contractors
- Natural disasters
Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?
Flooring projects usually generate a lot of waste, especially flooring installations and replacements for commercial facilities, which are typically larger than residential dwellings. As a result, when choosing flooring contractors in Fort Worth, you should always ensure that post-installation cleanup services will be included in your service contract. Keep in mind that these cleanup services should also entail properly cleaning the new floors before use.
Listed below are tips for the proper cleaning and maintenance of different types of newly installed floors in Fort Worth:
Flooring material | Do's | Don'ts |
---|---|---|
Wood |
|
|
Laminate |
|
|
Vinyl |
|
|
Tile |
|
|
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
Flooring contractors are not mandated to carry any insurance or bond by the state. However, before hiring a flooring contractor, it is important to confirm their insurance status. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 120 fatal injuries were recorded among construction workers in Fort Worth in 2019.
Hiring an insured flooring contractor will ensure you do not incur any legal or financial liability in the event of any bodily injuries and property damages amongst the flooring contractor and their workers. Ensure you request a copy of your preferred flooring contractor's insurance certificate. Contact the appropriate insurance provider to validate the documents presented further.
How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth
The complaints against Fort Worth-area flooring contractors are usually handled by the Texas Attorney General's Office.
There are numerous home improvement and remodeling scams in the Fort Worth area. These fraudulent individuals usually target property owners and homeowners in need of flooring services through methods like:
- Requesting for upfront payments and then performing a poor job or leaving without doing anything.
- Charging premium rates but, in turn, using substandard flooring materials
- Over-measuring the floor area to raise their rates
Home improvement and remodeling scams are among the most common complaints in Texas. In 2019, a contractor reportedly bilked several people in Texas and took almost $70,000 from their clients. Fort Worth residents are advised to look for these types of contractor scams. You can avoid getting victimized by these types of schemes by following these tips:
- Never hire unsolicited floor installers.
- Get and compare cost estimates from multiple local flooring contractors.
- Verify the registration status of your preferred flooring contractors
- Always ask for references from past clients and check in with them.
- Ask your friends and relatives who have done similar flooring projects for referrals. You can also check out the websites of various organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau and the National Wood Flooring Association.
- Check out reviews and complaints via third-party review websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review.
- Make sure you get a written contract before letting the contractor commence work. Also, make sure you sign any other documents related to the work.
- Avoid signing any documents that come blank or you do not understand
- Avoid cash transactions
- Never pay the full cost of a flooring project upfront. You should also limit the down payment you can make to one-third of the total project cost.
If you have been a victim of flooring contractor fraud in Fort Worth, you can contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office at (800) 621-0508 or (210) 225-4191 or file an online complaint.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Attorney General's Office, you can file a legal action against the flooring contractor with the Fort Worth Municipal Court. It is advisable to consult with a qualified lawyer before filing a legal action. To find qualified lawyers in Fort Worth, you can contact the Tarrant County Bar Association online or at (817) 336-4101.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
- Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?
- How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?
- What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Fort Worth?
- Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
- Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?
- Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Fort Worth?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Fort Worth