Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Oklahoma City, OK
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City
Home remodeling ensures that your property remains in excellent condition and can improve its market value. Installing, repairing, or refinishing a floor is one such remodeling project. A professionally completed flooring is an investment that can return up to 106% of its cost. However, before you hire a flooring contractor in Oklahoma City, it is wise to ask the following questions to ascertain the individual's skill and experience to complete your job satisfactorily:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City does not issue specialized contractor licenses to flooring contractors. However, in order to work in the city, flooring contractors must obtain a Residential Building Contractor license from the Oklahoma City Department of Development Services (DSD). This license is required for anyone involved in repair, maintenance, or improvement work on private or residential structures, be it new, proposed, or existing.
Those intending to participate in this registration process must fulfill several prerequisites. Among them is submitting the necessary paperwork, which includes:
- General liability insurance (minimum of $50,000 for each occurrence)
- Immigration affidavit (if applicable)
- Payment of a $100 registration fee
- Workers' compensation (minimum of $100,000 for each occurrence)
- Workers' compensation exempt form (if applicable)
Registration can be done online through the Development Services Department's registration platform. Any flooring contractor that is supposed to have registered by the city but operates without doing so is deemed to have committed a Class "A" offense. The maximum penalty for this crime is $500. Keep in mind that further offenses will be charged as a Class "B" offense, which carries a maximum fine of $1200 and a maximum jail sentence of six months.
Using the Oklahoma City Citizen Portal, you can check the registration status of your flooring contractor. To find out more about contractor registration, contact the DSD at (405) 297-2606.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Oklahoma City?
Before ending your employment contracts, you should always have your flooring contractor's total charges in writing. Flooring contractors in Oklahoma City may charge homeowners and other property owners by the hour, by using a square footage or linear footage basis, or by a fixed rate. But regardless of the invoicing strategy your preferred flooring contractor uses, their price typically depends on the following factors:
- The size of the area that will have this flooring laid
- The time required to prepare this surface for flooring installation
- The kind of flooring to be installed
- The condition of the ground area that needs to be covered
You may get an idea of how much it normally costs to install the flooring you desire in your neighborhood by asking for quotes from several suppliers. Look over these costs and avoid any contractors whose costs stand out as considerably greater or cheaper than the others. Oftentimes, this denotes dishonest activity.
Flooring contractors in Oklahoma City earn an estimated annual wage of $49,130. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Oklahoma City flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Oklahoma State along with other major cities in the United States:
Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?
It is a good idea to inquire about any other credentials after making sure the potential flooring contractor has a valid Oklahoma City Department of Development Services license. Furthermore, flooring experts may promote their memberships in the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and other reputable trade associations, including:
- The Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association (COHBA)
- The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
- The International Wood Flooring Association (IWFA)
- The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
- The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
Most flooring contractors who belong to these organizations or have obtained their certification from them usually possess more experience than their competition and more access to resources that are unique to the industry, such as better insurance policies and training possibilities. These contractors are subject to strict codes of conduct when performing their services and are held to a high standard of professionalism by their respective companies. This provides you with peace of mind that your floor installation task will be done properly as well as gives you a second alternative for dispute resolution if the service is not executed to your satisfaction.
It is crucial to verify any claims of accreditation or membership in trade organizations made by flooring contractors before accepting them in order to avoid working with dishonest people or imposters. Always demand proof of this prior to consulting the appropriate institution.
How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?
Given how often you walk and run on your floor, you might expect it to show signs of wear. On the other hand, specific circumstances and environments could destroy your flooring and hasten its decay. These include:
- Detritus from foot traffic, such as mud
- Improper or flawed floor installation
- Incorrect or insufficient maintenance and care
- Scratches brought on by sharp pet nails and other similar objects
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the problem, one or more of the important floor cross-sections listed below may be affected:
- Floor Surface: The floor's surface is the area that sees the most traffic, and the most frequent reasons for damage to this area include dents, scratches, improper cleaning methods, and sun fading.
- Subfloor: Materials used beneath flooring to provide support and produce a smooth surface are known as subfloors. Deterioration of the subfloor can be caused by water issues.
- Joists: Underneath the subflooring, the joists sustain the floor's weight and the area above it. Joists are essential to a home's structural stability. Therefore, any damage to them needs to be repaired at once.
It is in your best interest to confirm that the flooring specialist you hire to fix your damaged floor has the necessary equipment and sufficient experience with the specific sort of floor damage. You should request a price estimate for these repairs before the flooring contractor begins the repair work, do your own research to compare their prices, and come to an agreement on it.
The following price ranges are offered by recognized flooring businesses in Oklahoma City for various floor repair services:
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 Oklahoma City?
Finding out what kind of flooring projects a flooring contractor specializes in is a crucial first step in ensuring the success of your flooring job. There are numerous flooring alternatives available to Oklahoma City residents, with the following being the most popular:
- Hardwood Flooring: Many people praise hardwood flooring for being beautiful, strong, and easy to maintain. Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, finished hardwood, and unfinished hardwood are all available as alternatives for hardwood flooring in Oklahoma City. However, the ease with which hardwood floors can be scratched, especially by animals, is a significant disadvantage.
Hardwood flooring is also made from unusual species, including teak, mesquite, and jarrah, in addition to typical species like alder, ash, aspen, basswood, beech, birch, butternut, cherry, elm, hard maple, hickory, pecan, poplar, red oak, walnut, mahogany, and bamboo.
- Laminate Flooring: Laminate flooring is a far less expensive option for homeowners who want their floors to have the same aesthetic appeal as hardwood or tile flooring. This flooring is more resistant to scratches from pets and furniture than hardwood. Keep in mind, nevertheless, that moisture might seriously damage this flooring type.
- Tile Flooring: The most common types of tile used for flooring are ceramic, porcelain, and engineered tiles. Tile flooring installation requires a high level of specialized skill since tiles need to be set uniformly, on thoroughly level surfaces, and with few to no imperfections.
- Carpet Flooring: There are primarily two types of carpet flooring: those made of synthetic fibers and those made of natural fibers. Natural fiber carpet is more environmentally friendly than synthetic fiber carpet. They cost more, are more challenging to clean, and are less stain-resistant.
- Vinyl Flooring:Â Vinyl flooring is used in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms due to its resistance to moisture and spills. Although these floorings are inexpensive, exceedingly strong, and require little upkeep, they are also tough to repair. Sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, and luxury vinyl tiles are the three main varieties of vinyl flooring.
You will undoubtedly come away happy if you ensure that the flooring expert you choose possesses the abilities necessary to continuously install your selected type of flooring correctly. Flooring companies in Oklahoma City provide all of these services in addition to new installations, so you should, if necessary, confirm the contractor's level of expertise in each. Basic flooring services in Oklahoma City fall within the following price ranges:
Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Old hardwood flooring in your home can be renovated on a budget while maintaining its original charm by having it refinished. Although homeowners occasionally mix up the terms "floor refinishing" and "floor resurfacing," these are two different procedures. During the floor refinishing process, the top surface of your hardwood floors will be sanded down and given a fresh coat of stain and lacquer. On the other hand, when a floor is resurfaced, old planks must be taken out, uneven ones must be leveled, and any old nails must be replaced, all of which takes extra time and work.
Floor refinishing typically costs $3 to $5 per square foot in Oklahoma City. The exact cost of adopting this method will depend on the project's complexity and the size of the area that needs to be refinished. Although you can refinish or resurface your floors yourself, leaving this task to a knowledgeable flooring professional is usually preferable. This approach is more reliable in ensuring that the work is done properly and avoiding DIY mistakes. Knowledgeable floor installers in the city frequently suggest that you refinish your floors four to six times, or every seven to ten years, to keep them in good shape. But if any of these are present, you ought to consider getting your flooring refinished:
- It has downwardly curving edges.
- It has stains that are challenging to remove, such as water stains or other stains.
- It is broken.
- It is fading and degrading.
- The floor is discolored.
- There are unmistakable dents and scratches.
Kindly note that there are a number of situations where you could need to replace your hardwood flooring, including the following completely:
- It has scratches and dents.
- There is an apparent flaw in the wood.
- The floors have previously gone through several finishes.
- Water damage and exposed nails are present.
- When the floor shakes or creaks, noises are produced.
Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?
Before choosing who to hire, find out what warranties your preferred flooring contractors offer to get ready for the installation of new floors. Professional floor installers often offer two different types of warranties to their clients, namely:
- Manufacturer's Warranty: The flooring is covered by this warranty. The terms of this warranty will be greatly influenced by the type of flooring and the manufacturer, as manufacturers' warranties often have average coverage spans. Typical warranties for some flooring materials include:
- Carpet is typically covered for 10 to 20 years.
- Hardwood has a minimum of 25-year warranty.
- Vinyl normally has a warranty that lasts 15 to 20 years.
- Laminate is typically covered for 10 to 30 years.
Remember that these warranties frequently aren't transferable and don't extend to subsequent retail buyers of the product. However, some manufacturer warranties may be transferred from the initial owner to a subsequent owner of the home where the product is installed if the new owner takes possession of the property within a specific timeframe, which typically begins after the flooring product has been substantially installed. Typically, these warranties only apply to items that have been briefly utilized in a professional context.
- Installation Warranty: This warranty covers the installation work performed by the contractor. The majority of trustworthy flooring experts offer one-year installation warranties, but some may even offer longer assurances.
Always inquire about the types of warranties you will receive as well as their precise scope and coverage before selecting your preferred flooring contractor. Keep in mind that certain actions violate your warranty. Such actions include:
- A poor or insufficient installation
- Damages brought on by work done by an unregistered flooring contractor
- Damage caused by negligence or omission,
- Losses and fatalities from natural disasters caused by improper use of the flooring material
Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?
Flooring installation procedures are often expectedly messy and generate a large amount of waste, especially when carried out in commercial settings, which are occasionally larger than residential ones. Because of this, when selecting flooring contractors in Oklahoma City, you should always check and make sure that your service agreement specifies who will be responsible for post-installation cleanup. Remember that thorough cleaning of the floor before use should be part of the cleanup after installation.
Listed below are tips for the proper cleaning and maintenance of different types of newly installed floors in Oklahoma City:
Flooring material | Do's | Don'ts |
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Wood |
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Laminate |
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Vinyl |
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Tile |
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Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Oklahoma City?
Note that you are considered liable for any potential damage or injuries that may occur during your flooring project if you choose an uninsured flooring contractor. According to a United States Bureau of Labor Statistics report in 2020, 75 of the 4,764 fatal work incidents that year took place in the State of Oklahoma.
While Oklahoma City has no regulations requiring flooring contractors to have specific insurance coverage, you should always ensure the flooring contractor you hire is insured against liability. Flooring contractors who want to register as residential building contractors must have specific insurance coverage, such as general liability and worker's compensation insurance.
To avoid liability issues, always ask to see copies of the insurance and bonding certifications that your flooring contractor has, then double-check with the relevant authorities to ensure they are still valid.
How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City
If you think you've been taken advantage of or are working with a dishonest flooring contractor in Oklahoma City, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Unit, which investigates and handles all consumer complaints in the city.
A 10-count criminal indictment was filed against an Oklahoma City couple in January 2020 for allegedly stealing more than $313,000 from homeowners. The pair deceived unwary homeowners by demanding upfront payment for work they never began or completed and by failing to pay for the supplies they used, which resulted in liens being put on the victims' houses and businesses. By selecting more expensive flooring materials or underestimating the amount of space that needs flooring, dishonest flooring contractors may coerce naive homeowners into spending more than necessary.
You may protect yourself from possible home improvement fraud when looking for a flooring contractor in Oklahoma City by carrying out the following:
- Never rely on verbal promises. Make sure you receive a comprehensive written contract from the contractor.
- Never pay a deposit that is greater than $1,000 or 10% of the total contract sum (whichever is less).
- Refuse to deal with door-to-door salespeople.
- If you want to prevent any potential issues with payment disputes, use a credit card rather than cash.
- Do not hire a contractor if they are unable to provide you with up to three verified local references.
- For recommendations on flooring contractors, speak with your friends, trustworthy home improvement professionals, and trustworthy online directories like those managed by the Better Business Bureau and the National Wood Flooring Association.
- Verify contractors' licenses before hiring them.
- For your flooring project, get many price estimates and contrast them.
You still run the risk of falling for a scam despite taking these safeguards. If you believe that a dishonest flooring contractor has taken advantage of you or that you have fallen for one of their scams, you should file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Oklahoma by calling (405) 521-2029. Alternatively, interested parties may access, fill out, and mail a consumer complaint form to the following address:
Office of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Unit313 North East
21Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
By taking legal action against the accused contractor at the Oklahoma County Civil Court, you can take further action against them. But always remember that you should seek legal advice from an experienced attorney before taking any action.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City?
- 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 Oklahoma City?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Flooring Contractor in Oklahoma City