Floors play an important role in commercial spaces. Your flooring choice makes a strong impression, despite it getting overlooked. With so many flooring options available and so many things to consider when planning a new flooring installation, some mistakes will be made. In the worst-case scenario, these mistakes can lead to a bad flooring job, making your floor and business image look bad. If you go it alone, there are plenty of things that could go wrong. Here’s how a commercial flooring contractor can help you avoid these mistakes:
See these 5 tips for choosing the best flooring option for your commercial space
What is a flooring contractor?
Flooring contractors are experienced companies or individuals who specialise in installing, repairing and maintaining floor surfaces. Some flooring contractors may specialise in one type of flooring, such as carpet, while others will have much greater versatility in meeting all kinds of flooring needs. Here at E&M, we are experienced in covering all your flooring needs and can install all kinds of flooring.
A flooring contractor may be hired for many different reasons, from preparing a subfloor to repairing an existing flooring surface. However, the most common project a flooring contractor will undertake is the installation of a flooring surface. In most cases, they will supply the floor for you. We have vast experience and expertise at E&M Services in supplying and installing all kinds of beautiful floors.
Mistakes you can avoid by hiring a commercial flooring contractor
Choosing the right flooring
One of the very first things you do when looking to install a new floor is select the flooring option. With many choices on the market, including carpet tiles for comfort, luxury vinyl tiles for wood flooring designs, laminate flooring for durability, etc., choosing the right option can be a bit of a minefield.
The wrong choice can have negative implications in the future. Whether it be that the floor is not designed for heavy usage, does not align with the identity of your brand, or looks out of place with the rest of your décor. A flooring contractor will be able to advise you on the best flooring to accommodate all your requirements, thereby helping your floor look professional and create a great impression.
Incorrect measurements
Installing a new floor can be a difficult task, with lots of planning and preparation to think of before even starting on the installation. From measuring up the size of the rooms to deciding the best flooring option, there’s plenty that can go wrong in the planning stage. Incorrect measurements may cause you to order excessive or insufficient flooring. Getting the right measurements for your floor is fundamental to avoiding any complications.
A commercial flooring contractor will carry out the measurements for you. When measuring a room, they will consider the shape to work out the room’s equal size. Correct measurements will also ensure that the right amount of flooring is ordered, charged per square meter. A flooring contractor may also make allowances for any wastage or damage to the flooring after installation to allow for a quick and easy repair.
Subfloors
The subfloor is something many people will often overlook. The type of subfloor you have determines your flooring options. For example, carpet can be installed over almost all subflooring while hard floor surfaces require much more preparation before installation. Insufficient preparation for a subfloor can leave imperfections showing through your flooring.
Hiring a commercial flooring contractor will help eliminate any problems associated with subfloors and will be able to advise you on the preparation required to achieve a quality installation. They will also be experienced in dealing with whatever problems your subfloors may have, such as dampness.
Subfloor issues
On the subject of subfloors, problems with a subfloor will affect your flooring installation. The condition of your subfloor is just as important as choosing the right flooring. If your subfloor is in a bad condition, your flooring installation will reflect this. In this instance, it doesn’t work to hide things beneath the surface.
A commercial flooring contractor will be able to inspect and advise you on the quality of your subfloor, as well as provide the most suitable repairs depending on the choice of flooring you have installed. Older buildings could have asbestos flooring. A flooring contractor will be able to advise on the best and safest possible way to remove the flooring. Working with asbestos requires a license, including for the removal and disposal.
The wrong tools for the job
Having the right tools for a job makes all the difference and can make the job much easier. Flooring installation requires a range of advanced tools. If you want your flooring installation to look perfect, you need to use the right tools. Buying these tools is time-consuming and expensive for a one-off job.
Hiring a flooring contractor will eliminate the need for acquiring these professional tools. A flooring contractor will bring all the required tools and equipment necessary for your flooring installation to make sure it is carried out to the highest standards.
Health and safety
Installing a floor is a very hands-on job that can pose many serious health and safety issues and dangers. Beginners with little or no experience in flooring installation will be most vulnerable to some of these dangers. From potential trip hazards of an untidy working environment to causing serious injury from improper tool usage.
A professional flooring contractor will be well versed in all the health and safety issues and dangers associated with flooring installation. A qualified and experienced team will work in the safest way to prevent any accidents. Conducting a risk assessment helps evaluate the possible risks and ensure they are compliant with health and safety regulations. A flooring contractor will also have a health and safety policy to ensure the safety of you and your employees is secure.
Minimise disruption to your business
The installation of a new floor will disrupt your business. Furniture will need to be moved around and some areas will be out of bounds while the new floor is being fitted. Depending on the type of flooring you are installing and how large a space is will determine the time necessary for the installation. Disruptions can affect your business, and the longer they go on, the more they cost you.
To help reduce the time and disruption caused to your business, consider hiring a commercial flooring contractor to get the job done. A commercial flooring contractor will have an organised schedule to stick to for when the job should be completed that is agreed beforehand. Undertaking a flooring project without a commercial flooring contractor could see the project taking much longer than expected, either due to unforeseen circumstances or inexperience. These problems will not be a concern with a commercial flooring contractor.
Out with the old
Removing and disposing of your old flooring can be a time-consuming task if you have no idea how to dispose of it. As you won’t be able to fit your new flooring over your old flooring, you will need to lift your old flooring. Trying to remove the old flooring yourself could cause damage to the subfloor and leave you with piles of rubbish that are expensive to get rid of.
A commercial flooring contractor will be able to assist you in the removal and disposal of your old flooring. Helping save you both time and effort, most flooring contractors will already have a method in place for disposing of your old flooring. Here at E&M Services, we offer a ‘take-up’ service for removing and disposing of your old flooring.
Hiring a professional commercial flooring contractor will help you to avoid these 8 mistakes. Also, making sure the commercial flooring contractor you choose is accredited and licensed will help. Choosing a flooring contractor helps you get a quality flooring installation, reduces disruption, and saves you money in the long run.
Here at E&M Services, we can supply and install all kinds of flooring. Our vast experience and expertise mean we can help you with all your flooring needs. We are also accredited with Constructionline and CHAS to ensure the work we carry out is done safely and to the highest quality. Combining experience, expertise and hard work ensures that E&M Services is the best company for your flooring requirements.
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