How to Prepare for New Flooring Installation

Before installation day

Most of the work that makes installation go well happens before the installer arrives. Start by reading your quote carefully so you know exactly what is included: removal and disposal of the old flooring, subfloor preparation, trims and transitions, stairs, and whether furniture moving is part of the job.

Confirm the installation date, start time and expected duration, and ask how long each room will be out of use. Larger open-plan areas are often done in one continuous run so the floor flows through without joins at doorways.

• Check your quote covers removal, preparation, trims and any stairs
• Confirm dates, start time and how long rooms will be unavailable
• Ask whether furniture moving is included or needs to be done beforehand
• Tell your installer about any known issues: water leaks, cracks, uneven areas

Clearing the rooms

Empty bookshelves, cabinets and wardrobes on the floor being replaced, and pack away ornaments, electronics and anything fragile. Remove items from under beds and inside wardrobes where the floor is being done. Take down curtains that touch the floor so they are not damaged or in the way.

If furniture moving is not included in your quote, move furniture out of the work area before the day, or agree a plan with your installer. Clear a path from the driveway to the work area so materials and old flooring can be carried in and out easily.

Appliances, doors and fittings

Fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and ovens may need to be moved or disconnected. Plumbed appliances such as fridges with water lines and dishwashers should be disconnected by a licensed tradesperson if required, so organise this ahead of time.

New flooring can sit higher than the old floor, especially when carpet is replaced with hard flooring or a new underlay is added. Internal doors may need trimming so they open freely. Ask your installer whether this is included, and let them know about any sliding or cavity doors.

• Arrange disconnection of plumbed appliances if needed
• Expect some internal doors to need trimming
• Check skirting boards, scotia and trims have been agreed
• Note floor vents, floor wastes and anything fixed to the floor

Pets, kids and working from home

Installation involves tools, adhesives, open doors and people coming and going. Plan for pets to be kept in another area, at a friend's place or in daycare for the day, and keep young children away from the work area.

Removal of old carpet and tiles, and grinding or levelling a slab, can be noisy and dusty. If you work from home, plan to work in a separate room or elsewhere during the busiest part of the job.

What happens on the day

Most installations follow the same sequence: protecting surrounding areas, removing and disposing of the old flooring, checking and preparing the subfloor, then laying the new floor and fitting trims and transitions.

Subfloor preparation is the step that most affects the final result. A slab may need high spots ground down or low spots filled with levelling compound; a timber subfloor may need loose boards fixed down. This is why a good installer checks the subfloor at the measure and includes preparation in the quote.

After installation

Ask your installer when furniture can go back and when the floor can be cleaned. Use felt pads under furniture legs and lift heavy items rather than dragging them. For carpet, some fluffing and shedding in the first weeks is normal and settles with regular vacuuming.

Put mats at every entry to catch sand and grit, and follow the care guide for your floor type. Keep a few spare boards or offcuts if they are available, in case a repair is ever needed.

Checklist

A quick summary to run through in the week before installation:

• Quote reviewed: removal, preparation, trims, stairs and furniture moving confirmed
• Rooms cleared of small items, valuables and anything under beds and in wardrobes
• Plumbed appliances organised for disconnection if needed
• Curtains lifted or removed where they touch the floor
• Plan made for pets, kids and working from home
• Clear access path from the driveway to the work area
• Aftercare instructions and felt pads ready

Choosing the right time

If you are renovating, flooring should usually go in after the messy trades have finished: painting, plastering, cabinetry and tiling. Laying new floors first risks paint spills, dropped tools and scratches. Skirting boards are often fitted or painted after hard flooring goes down, so discuss the order of work with your builder or painter.

If you are moving house, installing flooring before the furniture arrives is the easiest option because the rooms are empty. For rental properties, installation between tenants avoids disruption and gives the new tenants a fresh floor.

Allow time for ordering. Some products are in stock locally, while others may need to be ordered in, so book your measure early if you have a deadline such as Christmas, a sale or a family event.

Hard floors over existing tiles

Hybrid and some other floating floors can often be installed over existing tiles, which saves the time, noise and cost of removing them. The tiles need to be well bonded, flat and without drummy or cracked sections, and grout lines may need filling so they don't show through.

Laying over tiles raises the floor height slightly, which can affect doors, appliance clearances and transitions to other rooms. Your installer should check these points at the measure and explain any trims or door trimming needed.

Stairs, transitions and finishing details

Stairs take longer than flat floors, because each tread and riser is measured, cut and fitted individually, with nosings on hard-floor stairs. If your job includes stairs, allow extra time and make sure the quote covers the finish you want, such as a matching nosing or a waterfall carpet finish.

Transitions are the small trims where one floor meets another, for example where a new hybrid floor meets bathroom tiles or carpet. Agree on the style and colour of trims before installation day, and on whether scotia or new skirting boards will be used around the edges of hard floors.

Apartments and body corporate approvals

If you live in an apartment or townhouse, check your body corporate by-laws before booking installation. Many buildings require approval for hard flooring and set a minimum acoustic rating so neighbours below are not disturbed by footsteps. The approval process can take a few weeks, so start it early.

Your installer can usually provide the product and underlay specifications your committee needs. Also check building rules for trades: permitted working hours, lift bookings and protection, parking for vans, and where old flooring can be taken out of the building. Letting your neighbours know the dates in advance is a courtesy that goes a long way when there is noise.

Measuring and quoting

An accurate measure is the foundation of a smooth installation. A good measure covers every room, notes doorways and transitions, checks the subfloor for level, and confirms how the floor will run through open-plan spaces. It is also the time to see samples in your own light and ask questions about each option.

Before you book, compare quotes on the same basis: the same product, the same areas, and the same inclusions for removal, preparation, trims and stairs. A cheaper quote that leaves out subfloor preparation can end up costing more on the day.