Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Houston?

Flooring contractors in Houston are not required to obtain an occupational license before offering services to residents of the city. However, these individuals are still expected to meet specific business requirements to operate legally in the city. To legally operate their businesses in Houston, the flooring contractor must first register their business with the Harris County Clerk's Office or any other applicable county clerk jurisdiction. Also, these individuals need to obtain a Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Office.

To learn more about the business requirements that apply to flooring contractors in Houston, you can contact the city's Office of Business Opportunity Solutions Center (OBOSC) at (832) 393-095. Similarly, you can direct your queries regarding business requirements for contractors in the city to the Houston Office of Economic Development at (832) 393-0937 or (832) 393-0981.

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

How much you will spend on your flooring project can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• The labor intensity required for the job
• The necessary materials and equipment
• The locality of your house
• The size of the area where the floor will be installed.
• The scope and nature of the flooring project
• The condition of the surface that requires flooring

Before starting your project, you should get and compare quotes from several Houston flooring contractors. Doing so will allow you to determine the average cost of the work and avoid any misunderstandings with the flooring contractor along the line. Also, it will protect you from falling victim to possible scams like price gouging.

Annually, flooring contractors in Houston earn an average of $40,380. The following list shows the average hourly wages of these contractors in Houston compared with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Texas and major cities in the United States:

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

Aside from having the necessary license, it is also relevant to confirm if your preferred flooring contractor is a member of a reputable association in the flooring industry within the flooring industry. One of the most prominent organizations where you can find a reputable company is the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and others include:

• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The Professional Flooring Installers Association (PFIA)
• The Texas Association of Builders (TAB)
• The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA)

These organizations usually provide their members with the necessary training and exposure to standard industry practices. They also help contractors maintain high ethical standards and follow the latest administrative and legal requirements.

These organizations also help contractors avoid fraudulent activities and improve their service delivery. They can additionally help prevent flooring contractors who are members from engaging in unethical practices. Although hiring a contractor who is a member of an organization is vital, it is also essential to check the credentials of these professionals by contacting the appropriate association. Doing so will help prevent you from hiring a fraudulent flooring contractor for your project.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

Regular maintenance is one of the most important factors you should consider when it comes to extending the life of your home's floor. This can help prevent costly repairs and improve its utility. However, in some cases, a full floor replacement or repair may be necessary due to the following:

• Damage caused by burns or liquid
• Sloppy or misaligned floors
• Broken or cracked tiles
• Damage from pet scratches or sharp objects
• Tracked-in dirt and debris
• Inadequate care and maintenance

Failing to repair your floor can lead to severe injury and more costly repairs. If you suspect that your floor needs repair or replacement, a professional flooring installer can help. They can perform various sections of the floor, such as:

• Floor Covering: The outer layer of your floor that covers the subfloor and other floor reinforcements. It is the visible part of the floor that's walked on. There is a wide range of floor coverings that you can choose from, such as hardwood, laminate, tile, and carpet.
• Floor underlayment: This layer of your floor is typically a light layer that supports the whole floor structure. It can help reduce the wear and tear of the floor and provides a smooth surface to place your desired floor covering. It also helps with water resistance and sound reduction.
• Subfloor: One of a floor's most important foundational components is the subfloor. These rough materials serve as the outline of where the finished floor will be placed.
• Joists: This forms the foundation of a floor. This floor component is usually made of wood, metal, or concrete. It helps distribute the load evenly on the surface of the floor.

Before starting a floor repair project, ensure you understand the skills and experience of the contractor who will perform the work. Executing a contract with the contractor provides a clear understanding of the work's scope and cost.

The following list outlines some cost estimates for floor repairs in Houston:

Estimates based on flooring material per square foot:

Estimates based on type of damage:

Estimates based on repair solution:

Estimates based on floor location:

What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Houston?

Flooring services include repairs, replacements, maintenance, and new floor installations. Most projects are successful if the contractor has the necessary knowledge and experience with the relevant flooring materials. The following are common types of flooring materials in Houston:

• Laminate flooring: This type of material is widely considered very cheap and easy to install. It offers a variety of elegant and attractive features, but it is also prone to moisture damage and expensive to repair.
• Vinyl flooring: Various types of vinyl flooring include vinyl tile and vinyl plank. It is a more cost-effective alternative to hardwood and tile flooring. It is water resistant and offers an excellent aesthetic appeal. However, it is not eco-friendly, and its lifespan is relatively short.
• Hardwood flooring: Besides its attractive and practical features, hardwood flooring is also widely used due to its various designs and varieties. Some of these include unfinished, solid, engineered, and finished hardwood. Re-used hardwood, which is referred to as reclaimed wood, is another type of material that is durable and long-lasting. Hardwood flooring has various advantages, such as its long-lasting properties and low maintenance. Unfortunately, this material is prone to termite damage and is expensive.
• Carpet flooring: This material is usually made from either synthetic or natural fibers. The type of fiber used determines the satisfaction and utility of this flooring product. Carpet has a variety of colors and has various other features such as slip prevention and aesthetic appeal. One of the advantages of natural fiber carpets is that they are eco-friendly. However, they are prone to dirt and dust buildup, and pet nails can damage them.
• Tile flooring: Porcelain and ceramic are the main tile flooring types and have distinct characteristics. While both are relatively expensive, they can improve a home's overall appearance. Besides their low-maintenance and water-resistant properties, tile flooring is also considered durable. Unfortunately, it can get cold during winter, which makes it uncomfortable.

Before hiring a contractor for your next flooring project, you should know their experience level. Some of them may be unable to handle certain flooring materials. You should request references to check their previous work to confirm their expertise. This will help guarantee that your work will be completed satisfactorily.

Below are some cost estimates for different types of flooring services offered in Houston:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

One of the best ways to preserve and keep your hardwood floors in excellent condition is by refinishing them. This process involves cleaning and polishing your hardwood floor and applying new lacquer and stain to give it a new look. It's similar to an in-depth painting process, as it involves making minor patches and removing debris. Before the new stain can be applied, the floor must be thoroughly cleaned and smoothened.

Although it's possible to try and do it yourself, leaving it to professionals usually results in a better outcome. Some of the situations in which you might need to have your hardwood floors redone are:

• Discoloration or a dull appearance
• Fading color
• Noticeable scratch marks from pets or improperly moved heavy objects
• Liquid or moisture damage
• Floorboards have splinters

It is recommended that hardwood floor owners have their floors redone at least once every seven to ten years. Houston residents expect to spend around $4.50 to $2 per square foot for hardwood floor recoating. Note that the terms "refacing" and "floor refinishing" are not the same, even though they can be used interchangeably. Refacing your hardwood floors is a relatively minor process that can be done to improve the appearance of your floor, and it does not involve a complete overhaul. Resurfacing involves the removal and sanding of old floorboards. It can also include the addition of new ones or the reinforcement of old ones with nails.

Although it's generally cheaper to have your hardwood floors refinished, there are certain situations where resurfacing your floor is the best thing to do. Such situations include if:

• The floor has structural problems
• The floor has been refinished a lot of times
• The floorboards are highly worn out
• The floor aesthetics cannot be restored by just refinishing
• The floorboards are weak or rotted from water damage
• The nails are damaged and need to be changed

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

When it comes to choosing a flooring contractor or installer near you, there are various factors that you should consider, such as the type of warranty offered. There are two types of warranty offered by a flooring contractor in Houston including:

Manufacturer warranty: This assures that the flooring materials that the flooring contractor will use for your project are in good condition and have no defects. The manufacturer's warranty guarantees a limited period, which varies by the manufacturer. Below are the average warranty periods for different flooring materials:

• Tile is covered for 1 - 15 years
• Vinyl is covered for 1 - 5 years
• Laminate is covered for 5 - 10 years
• Hardwood is covered for 10 - 30 years
• Carpet is covered for 10 - 20 years

Installation warranty: This is a type of assurance that the job was done correctly. This type of warranty usually covers shoddy or inaccurate flooring installation, such as loose or missing materials or improper measurements. Having a separate warranty agreement or an installment agreement can help you avoid misunderstandings in the future.

The warranty terms are usually not transferable and only cover the original retail buyer. Nonetheless, a manufacturer's warranty can be transferred to a new buyer who will reside in the same house where the product was installed. This type of warranty will begin once the new owner officially takes possession of the property.

Warranty can only cover certain defects caused by the floor installer or manufacturer. The warranty will not cover the following damage:

• Damage caused by a homeowner's negligent actions
• Damage caused by pets
• Damage from inappropriate floor use, like dragging heavy stuff on it.
• Damage caused by unprofessional flooring contractor
• Damage caused by improper installation

As such, you should ensure you check your warranty agreement for clauses that you must avoid in order not to void the terms and conditions.

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Before hiring a flooring contractor in Chicago, make sure you know who will handle the post-installation cleanup. Since these jobs tend to be messy, you should know who will be responsible for removing all debris. You should ensure you include this Flooring contractor's responsibility in your work contract. To this end, the flooring contractor should provide satisfactory post-installation cleanup services before the floors are used.

Make sure that the contractor handles the cleanup services. Doing so will help minimize the risk of damaging your flooring and ensure that the job is completed more professionally. Below are some tips on how to clean and maintain different types of newly installed floors in Houston:

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

There is no requirement for flooring contractors in Houston to carry insurance. Nonetheless, ensuring that the contractor you hire is insured is important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 4,764 fatal work injuries and almost 2.7 million nonfatal injuries in the United States in 2020. Flooring contractors are prone to sustaining injuries while working as they are exposed to nails, finishing vapor, dust, wet floors, trip-and-slip-hazards

Hiring a flooring contractor with the proper liability insurance for your project can prevent you from paying out-of-pocket expenses related to bodily injuries that may happen during a project. This type of insurance also covers the cost of property damage that the flooring contractor can cause during the work.

To this end, before hiring a flooring contractor, make sure that you ask for proof of liability insurance. Contact the relevant insurance company to confirm that the policy is valid and that the coverage is adequate for the project. Likewise, confirm that the flooring contractor is carrying workers' compensation policies if they have more than one employee involved in the project.