Flooring Blog and Resources

When it comes to upgrading or renovating your space, flooring can be a significant investment. Choosing the right flooring company is crucial because the quality of installation can affect the aesthetic appeal and durability of your flooring. However, there are so many flooring companies to choose from, many of which offer similar products and services, which can make it difficult to narrow down your options and choose the best flooring company for your needs.  To help you choose the best flooring company, we’ve compiled a list of tips and insights based on flooring industry standards and your own budget considerations: Understand your flooring needs Verify company credentials and experience Ask for flooring samples and portfolios Inquire about flooring warranties and guarantees Request detailed flooring estimates Visit showrooms or request on-site consultations Evaluate customer service Read flooring company customer reviews Understand Your Flooring Needs Before you start researching flooring company options, identify your specific needs. Ask yourself important questions, such as the following: What type of flooring do I want? (e.g., hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, carpet) What is my budget for the project? Is this for a residential or commercial space? Do I need additional services like removal of old flooring or subfloor repairs? While the list of questions above isn’t comprehensive, knowing the answers to these questions can provide you with a place to start in finding the best flooring company based on your preferred flooring type and budget. Verify Company Credentials and Experience Once you’ve narrowed down your list of flooring companies, it can be helpful to verify each company's credentials. Doing so can ensure a higher level of quality and expertise, resulting in greater peace of mind for you as a client, but also a higher level of service and installation quality. Many flooring companies have certifications from flooring manufacturers or trade associations, which can indicate a higher level of expertise. Some common flooring certifications to look out for include the following: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification — OSHA certification demonstrates that the company prioritizes safety and follows industry-standard safety protocols. National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) certification — Companies or installers with NWFA certification have specialized training in hardwood flooring installation, finishing, and maintenance. International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) — CFI certification indicates the installer meets high standards for carpet, resilient flooring, ceramic tile, and hardwood installation. FloorScore certification — This certification ensures that flooring materials meet indoor air quality standards, which is essential for creating healthier indoor environments. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) — Flooring companies that offer LEED-certified products focus on sustainability and eco-friendly materials. Manufacturer certifications — Many flooring manufacturers offer specialized training and certification programs for installers to ensure their products are properly installed. Examples include certifications from Mohawk, Armstrong, and Shaw. Beyond specific certifications and credentials, it can be important to confirm a company’s licensing and insurance — you’ll want to ensure that a company is licensed to operate in your area and carries insurance to protect against damages and accidents. Ask for Flooring Samples and Portfolios A reputable flooring company should be able to provide samples of their products and a portfolio of completed projects. Viewing a company’s portfolio can provide you with the opportunity to assess the quality of the company’s materials, see examples of their work to ensure it aligns with your aesthetic and needs, and get inspiration for your project. Inquire About Flooring Warranties and Guarantees Flooring is a significant investment — average total costs for new flooring can range anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 or more. Flooring is typically priced out per square foot installed; thus, your flooring costs will be dependent on the size of your space and the type of flooring that you’d like to install. Because new flooring can carry a high price tag, it’s important to inquire about a flooring company’s warranties or guarantees; both of which can provide crucial protection for your flooring investment and overall peace of mind. Many flooring companies will offer material warranties and installation guarantees, providing important protection for flooring materials as well as any issues that may arise from improper installation. Most material warranties are offered by flooring manufacturers that are partnered with flooring companies that specialize in installation work. When comparing flooring company warranties and guarantees, you may want to consider some of the following factors that can affect the scope of coverage: Warranty length — Warranty periods vary depending on the product and company. Look for warranties that offer coverage for at least 10–20 years on materials and 1–2 years on installation services. Transferable warranties — Some warranties can be transferred to new homeowners if you sell your property. This feature can add value to your home and attract potential buyers. Exclusions and limitations — Understand the exclusions in the warranty. For example, damages caused by improper maintenance, heavy furniture, or excessive moisture might not be covered. Maintenance requirements — Many warranties require regular maintenance or specific cleaning methods to remain valid. Ensure you follow these guidelines to avoid voiding your coverage. When you choose a flooring company, make sure you get written documentation of all warranty and guarantee details. Doing so can ensure transparency and offers you protection in case of future disputes. Request Detailed Flooring Estimates Before committing to a flooring company, it’s recommended to ask for detailed written estimates from at least three other companies, allowing you to compare material costs, labor charges, and project timelines. You may also want to inquire about additional costs or fees associated with services like old flooring removal or subfloor preparation, as these factors may not be included in an initial estimate, which could skew one company’s costs to appear lower than those of another company. Many flooring companies make it easy to request a free estimate online. In most cases, you’ll be required to fill out a form on a respective company’s website, providing some basic contact information and details about your flooring project. Typically, you’d then be contacted by a company representative to discuss your project further, including estimated costs. Visit Showrooms or Request On-Site Consultations If possible, you may want to visit a company’s showroom to see and feel their flooring products in person. Alternatively, some flooring companies offer on-site consultations where they bring samples to your location. This can help you visualize how different flooring options will look in your space. In addition, viewing samples can give you a better idea of product quality, as flooring materials may look different online than they do in person. Evaluate Customer Service Good communication and customer service can be crucial in a successful experience with a flooring company. During initial interactions with a company, such as during a consultation, take note of how responsive and helpful company representatives are. Consider whether or not company representatives are answering your questions thoroughly, if they’re providing clear and transparent information, and if they’re showing interest in your needs. A company that prioritizes customer satisfaction will likely continue that level of service throughout a flooring installation project. Read Flooring Company Customer Reviews Last but certainly not least, read customer reviews of flooring companies that you’re interested in. Reviews can provide helpful insight into the quality of a flooring company’s work, professionalism, punctuality, and ability to handle challenges or issues. Based on verified customer reviews, the top three flooring companies on BestCompany.com include the following: Express Flooring Express Flooring is a premier flooring company that serves customers in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. The company specializes in carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), laminate, and tile flooring options. Express Flooring offers next-day flooring installations backed by a free lifetime installation warranty. On BestCompany.com, 100 percent of Express Flooring reviews are four or five stars; however, it’s important to note that the company’s current review count is limited and may not reflect the experience of the majority of customers. That being said, satisfied Express Flooring customers frequently highlight the following about their experience with the company: Professional and responsive staff Fast and effective flooring installations Very careful with furniture and other belongings during flooring installation Learn more about Express Flooring Armstrong Flooring Armstrong Flooring is part of the Armstrong brand, a global manufacturer that specializes in flooring, ceiling, and wall materials. Armstrong products are available from a variety of lenders throughout the United States.  On BestCompany.com, 86 percent of Armstrong Flooring reviews are four or five stars; however, it’s important to note that the company’s current review count is limited and may not reflect the experience of the majority of customers. That being said, satisfied Armstrong Flooring customers frequently highlight the following about their experience with the company: Aesthetically pleasing and durable flooring materials Affordable flooring options User-friendly website that allows customers to view materials and locate them at nearby vendors Learn more about Armstrong Flooring Empire Today Empire Today is a flooring company headquartered in Illinois. The company offers a variety of flooring options (carpet, vinyl, hardwood, and more) at affordable prices. The company offers a low-price guarantee, ensuring that it will beat the price of any competitor within 30 days of placing an order. On BestCompany.com, 72 percent of Empire Today reviews are four or five stars; however, it’s important to note that the company’s current review count is limited and may not reflect the experience of the majority of customers. That being said, satisfied Empire Today customers frequently highlight the following about their experience with the company: Wide variety of high-quality flooring products Affordable pricing when compared to other flooring companies Fast and professional installation work Learn more about Empire Today Compare Flooring Companies Compare local flooring companies in your area. Compare Companies The Final Word Considering all the tips and insights outlined above can help you narrow down flooring company choices. But it can also be important to trust your own gut throughout the research process. If a company seems pushy, dismissive, or unprofessional, it’s better to move on to another option. A trustworthy flooring company will make you feel confident and comfortable about your decision. Choosing the best flooring company requires a balance of research, careful consideration, and trusting your instincts. By understanding your needs, verifying credentials, and prioritizing customer service, you can ensure a successful flooring project that enhances your space for years to come.

Flooring installation costs are typically based on materials, labor, and square footage of the room. You can expect to pay from $1,000 to $10,000, or $2 to $20 per square foot. Nationally, the average cost for flooring installation is $7 per square foot, which comes out to $3,500 to replace the flooring in a 500 square foot room.  Prices will vary based on the following factors:  Labor costs in your area Size of the room Difficulty of installing the new flooring The flooring type and material Flooring removal or subflooring costs Below we have detailed the costs you can expect when searching for a local contractor to install new flooring in your home.  Average Flooring Installation Cost by Material  The cost of flooring installation varies depending on the type of flooring you choose. Affordable flooring materials include vinyl, pine hardwood, and carpet. Other types of hardwood, such as walnut or mahogany, are not as cost effective. You can also pay more for the same, higher quality materials from one brand than another.  Below we’ve compiled the prices by square foot for common flooring materials, not including additional labor costs:  Hardwood: $6-$20 Carpet: $1-$6 Tile: $3-$20 Laminate: $2.70-$11 Vinyl: $2-$3 Linoleum: $2-$6.50 Bamboo: $5-$15 Cork: $5-$12 Concrete: $3-$8 Engineered Hardwood: $4-16  Labor Costs for Flooring Installation  In addition to the cost of flooring materials, you will also have to pay for labor costs. This will usually cost between $0.60 and $4 per square foot, but prices will vary based on the type of flooring and the difficulty of installing it. An intricate tile floor will cost more than vinyl plank flooring for the same square footage because the vinyl flooring is easier to install.  Real hardwood and tile floors can rack up your flooring installation costs as they are the most difficult, and take the longest amount of time, to install. Materials such as vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood, and carpet take less time and labor, making them more budget-friendly materials to install.  Other Cost Considerations for Flooring Installation  Before your new floors can be installed, contractors will need to remove your current flooring. This process involves removing baseboards, flooring materials, glue, and underlayment as well as disposing of these materials. Some contractors will provide this service for free while others will charge a fee.  If the contractor charges for this service, you can expect to pay $1-$3.50 per square foot, depending on the contractor, where you are located, and how the previous flooring was installed.  For example, tile floor removal can cost as much as $3.50 per square foot, while you could pay $60 per hour to remove a 12x12 carpet that has been stapled down. Carpet that has been glued down will incur higher fees as it is more difficult to remove. These costs do, however, tend to be lower than flooring installation as it takes less time to remove an old floor than to install new flooring.  Factors Affecting Cost  Flooring installation costs vary by room size, flooring materials, flooring removal costs, labor, and your location. You will pay more per square foot for complex tile flooring installation than you will for vinyl or laminate.  Flooring Installation Costs by Brand  When reviewing the cost of flooring installation from top brands like Empire Today and Express Flooring, know that each brand offers different services and charges depending on difficultly of labor, flooring materials, and square footage of floors. We’ve researched the costs specific to these brands below.  Express Flooring  Express Flooring operates in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada, offering a variety of flooring options such as tile, laminate, carpet, and hardwood with next-day installation. Costs vary based on the type of flooring and square footage or number of rooms, but average costs per room are around $1,500-$5,000. For instance, carpet installation for one room can cost between $2,000 and $3,000, while replacing carpet in several areas of a home would run more than $10,000. Linoleum flooring in a kitchen could cost $3,000 or more depending on the size of the room. Removing carpet and installing linoleum in one room might cost $2,500 depending on square footage. Express Flooring offers up to a 75% discount for homeowners who need flooring installed in multiple rooms as well as financing with low payments and zero interest for the first year. Customers can also expect a range of free services such as furniture moving, design consultations, and lifetime warranty.  Explore reviews from real homeowners on Express Flooring's services. Empire Today  Empire Today operates in 27 states, offering next-day flooring installations, in-home consultations, and extended service plans. On average, customers can expect to pay $1-$20 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring and labor involved. Empire Today’s price estimates include furniture moving, removal and disposal of old flooring materials, new floor installation with padding or underlayment, thresholds and trim, and cleanup. Laminate installation in a 350 square foot room could cost around $3,500, while carpet removal plus vinyl flooring installation can run you about $7,000 for the same size room. For a 350 square foot room, you might pay $3,500 for laminate installation, while carpet removal and vinyl flooring installation could run you closer to $7,000. Empire Today offers 12- and 48-month financing options as well as a five-year service plan.  Explore reviews from real homeowners on Empire Today's services. The Bottom Line  Flooring installation customers can expect to pay $2-$20 per square foot based on location, flooring type, and labor costs. The flooring costs we have outlined are an estimate based on Best Company team research and brand-specific costs.  Homeowners who need new flooring installed in multiple rooms will pay more because of added square footage and labor, but some flooring contractors give larger discounts to customers who are looking to replace flooring in more than one room.  Look out for perks such as free removal and disposal of old flooring, product protection or warranties, and free in-home consultations with a flooring expert.