Before We Arrive
Clear the small things: ornaments, lamps, books, anything on low shelves, everything breakable. Empty low drawers and the bottom of wardrobes if they are staying in the room, so they can be moved safely. Take pictures off the wall if a big piece of furniture will be moved past them.
We move the furniture ourselves; that is part of the job. Tell us when we measure about anything very heavy, fixed or precious, such as a piano, a fitted wardrobe or an aquarium, so we can plan around it.
- Clear ornaments, lamps and anything breakable
- Empty low drawers and wardrobe bases
- Tell us about pianos, fitted furniture and anything fragile
- Note where the van can park
- Plan somewhere for pets to be for the day
The Old Floor
Leave it to us. We lift the old carpet, underlay and gripper, or the old vinyl and laminate, check the floor underneath and take everything away. If you have already lifted it, that is fine too, but please leave the gripper and any staples for us to deal with safely.
On the Day
We arrive when we said we would, with the flooring, the underlay and everything else the job needs. The room is cleared, the old floor lifted and the base prepared, then the new floor goes down. A single room is usually a morning or an afternoon; a staircase, or a whole house, takes longer, and we will have told you what to expect when we quoted.
There is noise: a knee kicker, a saw for trims, the occasional drill. There is a little dust from the preparation. We keep it to the room we are working in and clean up as we go.
Doors, Thresholds and Radiators
A new floor and underlay sometimes sits higher than the old one, and a door that used to clear the carpet may catch. We ease doors as part of the job. Thresholds between rooms get a bar or a flush strip. Radiator pipes are cut round neatly and the trims fitted to hide the gap.
For a hard floor, the skirting stays where it is and a matching scotia or the expansion gap under the skirting finishes the edge. If you are planning to paint the skirting, before is easier than after.
Children and Pets
Fitting day is not much fun for a dog or a cat, and open doors, adhesive and sharp tools are not safe for either. A day at a friend's, or a closed room upstairs, is best. Children are welcome to watch from the doorway; it is a good day for a trip out.
After We Leave
A carpet can be walked on straight away. A glued LVT floor should be left for the adhesive to set before furniture goes back; we will tell you how long for your floor. Felt pads under chair and table legs protect any hard floor, and a mat at the door keeps grit off everything.
We take the offcuts, packaging and the old floor away with us. If you would like a piece of carpet kept for a repair one day, say so and we will leave a suitable offcut.
Questions
No. We move the furniture as part of the job and put it back. Just clear the small and breakable things, and tell us about anything very heavy or fixed.
Someone needs to let us in and be reachable, but you do not need to stay. Many customers go out for the day and come back to a finished floor.
Yes, along with the old underlay and gripper, and any packaging. Disposal is included.
Carpet, straight away. A floating floor, straight away. A glued LVT floor needs the adhesive to set before heavy furniture goes back; we tell you how long for your floor.
They stay where they are. A hard floor finishes with a matching trim or the expansion gap tucked under the skirting; carpet is tucked against it. If you are repainting, do it before fitting day.
