10 Questions to Ask Before Your Installer Shows Up

The pre-installation walkthrough is your last chance to get clarity before work starts. Once the crew begins demolition, scope changes become expensive. Expectations set now prevent surprises and change orders later.

These ten questions cover the areas that matter most. Get answers in writing, and confirm them during the walkthrough.

1. What exactly is included in the quote, and what costs extra?

Your estimate should break out demolition, subfloor prep, installation, trim, and disposal as separate line items. This clarity lets you compare quotes apples-to-apples and understand where changes will cost the most.

Ask what baseboards you're keeping, which are being removed, and what trim work is included. Clarify whether moving appliances, like dishwashers or built-in refrigerators, is in scope. Ask whether transitions at tile, carpet, or stairs are included.

Get the answer itemized and in writing. Vague estimates like "subfloor work as needed" set you up for surprises when the crew finds something unexpected.

2. What are the moisture readings now, and what's the target for your product?

Before work starts, the contractor should provide moisture meter readings in the subfloor. The reading should be in the range specified by the hardwood manufacturer. For most solid hardwood, that's between 6 and 9 percent.

Ask what the ambient (air) humidity is in your home and what the HVAC target should be during and after acclimation. A stable indoor humidity—typically 40 to 50 percent—is critical.

If the subfloor moisture is outside acceptable range, the contractor should explain what needs to be done to get it in range. This might be delayed installation, crawlspace dehumidification, or repair of moisture sources.

Having written baseline readings protects you and documents that the project started in proper condition.

3. How will the subfloor be flattened, and what's the tolerance you're shooting for?

Ask what the target flatness is. Most products require 1/8 inch in 10 linear feet. Wide planks might need 3/16 inch in 10 feet.

Ask the contractor how they'll verify flatness. A straightedge test is the standard. They should identify high spots and low spots and explain how each will be corrected.

High spots can be sanded. Low spots can be filled with self-leveling underlayment or shimmed with fasteners or wedges. The correction method affects timeline and cost.

Get confirmation that subfloor work will be documented, with photos or notes, so you know what was corrected before the hardwood was laid.

4. What's the acclimation plan, and how long will acclimation take?

Once material arrives, how many days of acclimation before installation? The standard is five days minimum, depending on product and your home's conditions. Ask whether HVAC will run continuously and who monitors conditions. Confirm moisture readings will be taken again before installation to verify the wood is ready.

5. What's the layout direction, and where's the seam stagger plan?

Stand at the entry to your main living space. Ask the contractor to confirm the plank direction they'll run. Does it run parallel to your primary sightline? Does it align with joist direction? Is it perpendicular to natural light?

Ask how seams will be staggered. A random or offset pattern is usually preferred to minimize visible seam lines.

For complex layouts (diagonal, borders, features), ask whether a dry layout will be done first so you can see how it looks.

Get confirmation about transitions at doorways, stairs, and adjacent flooring. How will height differences be handled? What trim pieces will be used?

6. How will you control dust and manage odor during the installation?

Ask about containment. Will plastic barriers divide the work area from the rest of the home? Will HVAC returns be sealed? Is there a dedicated entry point for the crew?

Ask whether tools will be used inside or outside. If cutting happens indoors, what dust capture system is used? Is a HEPA filter available?

Ask about daily cleanup. When will the crew clean up each day? Will the work area be protected at night if the project spans multiple days?

For odor, ask whether low-VOC products are available. Ask what ventilation strategy will be used if odors are a concern.

7. What's the timeline, and when will the crew need access to different parts of the home?

Get a detailed schedule with dates for demolition start, main-area access, installation start and end, and trim completion. Ask which rooms will be worked on in order so you can plan around disruption. Confirm work hours and ask about weather contingencies that might extend the timeline.

8. What's your warranty, and what voids it?

Hardwood manufacturers provide warranties on the product. Your contractor should provide a warranty on workmanship.

Ask what the workmanship warranty covers and for how long. Usually, it's one to five years.

Ask what actions void the warranty. Common voiders are extreme humidity swings, improper cleaning, installation of other flooring on top without approval, and failure to maintain HVAC or humidity in the specified range.

Get the warranty terms in writing, and understand them before signing off on final payment.

9. What's your change-order process if something unexpected comes up?

During subfloor prep, problems sometimes surface that weren't obvious in the estimate. A change order captures new work and its cost before it's done.

Ask for a commitment that no work beyond the original scope will be done without a written change order and your approval. The change order should specify what's being added, the cost, and the impact on timeline.

This protects you from surprises at final billing.

10. What happens during the final walk-through, and what's included in punch list?

The final walk-through is when the entire job is inspected. Walk the floor with the contractor and look for squeaks, gaps, damage, or inconsistencies.

Ask what will be tested (stairs should be quiet, boards shouldn't move, trim should be tight). Establish tolerance for gaps, which varies by material and climate but is usually 1/8 inch or less.

Any issues go on a punch list and are corrected before final payment. Ask who does the punch-list work and when it will be complete.

Getting clarity at the walkthrough

A thorough pre-installation walkthrough prevents most hardwood installation problems. The contractor who takes time to answer these questions thoroughly, documents answers in writing, and seems confident about moisture, flatness, and proper installation technique is worth trusting.

If a contractor is vague on moisture testing, skips the subfloor flatness discussion, or says "we'll handle it as it comes," proceed carefully. These are the fundamentals that separate good installations from bad ones.

If you're planning hardwood floors in Roseburg or Douglas County and want to know what to expect and what to ask about, call Back to the Wood Floors. We'll walk you through the pre-installation process, answer all ten of these questions in writing, and make sure you're confident about the project before day one arrives.