How Do You Prepare Your Home for a Major Flooring Project?

Proper home preparation is essential for a smooth flooring installation. After decades of coordinating flooring projects in Oklahoma homes, we provide a comprehensive checklist to help homeowners prepare their homes before installation day.

Why Home Preparation Matters

Proper preparation:

  • Protects your belongings — prevents damage to furniture, electronics, and valuables.
  • Speeds up installation — installers can work efficiently without obstacles.
  • Reduces cost — some contractors charge for furniture moving and preparation.
  • Prevents damage — items left in the room can be damaged during installation.
  • Ensures quality — a clear workspace allows for proper installation.

Furniture

  • Empty the room — remove all furniture from rooms being floored.
  • Plan storage — arrange temporary storage for furniture and belongings.
  • Disassemble large items — disassemble beds, tables, and other large items for easier moving.
  • Protect furniture — cover stored furniture to protect from dust.
  • Heavy items — arrange help for heavy items; do not expect installers to move extremely heavy or fragile items.
  • Pianos — hire professional piano movers; do not expect flooring installers to move pianos.

Closets

  • Empty closets — remove all items from closets in rooms being floored.
  • Pack in boxes — pack closet contents in labeled boxes for easy reinstallation.
  • Temporary storage — move boxes to another room or storage area.
  • Shelving — remove freestanding shelving if possible.
  • Built-in organizers — discuss built-in organizers with the installer.

Electronics

  • Disconnect and remove — disconnect and remove all electronics.
  • Label cables — label cables for easy reconnection.
  • Photograph setup — photograph the back of electronics for easy reconnection.
  • Secure devices — move laptops, tablets, and other devices to a safe location.
  • Wi-Fi router — keep the router in a location that maintains connectivity.

Artwork and Wall Hangings

  • Remove from walls — remove all artwork, mirrors, and wall hangings from rooms being floored.
  • Vibration — installation causes vibrations that can loosen wall hangings.
  • Protect fragile items — wrap fragile items in bubble wrap.
  • Label placement — mark where items were hung for easy reinstallation.
  • Store safely — store artwork in a separate room.

Pets

  • Arrange pet care — arrange for pets to be elsewhere during installation.
  • Stress — installation noise and strangers stress pets.
  • Safety — open doors and tools pose risks to pets.
  • Containment — if pets must stay, contain them in a separate room.
  • Odors — some flooring adhesives emit odors; ensure ventilation.

Children

  • Arrange childcare — arrange for children to be elsewhere during installation.
  • Safety — tools, materials, and debris pose safety risks.
  • Noise — installation noise can be disruptive.
  • Schedule — plan around school and activity schedules.
  • Containment — if children are home, contain them in a separate, safe area.

Valuables

  • Remove valuables — remove all valuables from rooms being floored.
  • Jewelry and cash — secure jewelry, cash, and small valuables.
  • Sentimental items — remove irreplaceable items.
  • Documentation — photograph valuables before the project.
  • Insurance — verify your homeowner's insurance covers the project.

Appliances

  • Disconnect appliances — disconnect appliances in kitchens and laundry rooms.
  • Professional disconnection — gas appliances require professional disconnection.
  • Water lines — disconnect water lines to refrigerators and washing machines.
  • Move appliances — move appliances to another room if possible.
  • Schedule reconnection — arrange for appliance reconnection after installation.

Parking and Access

  • Clear driveway — clear the driveway for installer vehicles.
  • Clear path — clear a path from the driveway to the installation area.
  • Remove obstacles — remove obstacles from hallways and pathways.
  • Protect floors — lay down protective covering on paths installers will use.
  • Access — ensure installers have access to the home; provide keys or arrangements if you will not be home.

Installer Access

  • Clear workspace — ensure the workspace is clear and accessible.
  • Power — ensure installers have access to electrical outlets.
  • Water — ensure installers have access to water if needed.
  • Bathroom — provide access to a bathroom for installers.
  • HVAC — maintain consistent HVAC operation during installation.
  • Security system — disarm security systems or arrange for installer access.

Additional Preparation

  • Dust protection — cover vents and seal adjacent rooms to contain dust.
  • Door clearance — check if doors will clear the new flooring; arrange for door trimming if needed.
  • Baseboards and trim — discuss whether baseboards will be removed and reinstalled or replaced.
  • Transition areas — clear areas where transitions will be installed.
  • Subfloor access — ensure installers have access to the subfloor.

Comprehensive Homeowner Preparation Checklist

  • ☐ Empty all furniture from rooms being floored
  • ☐ Arrange temporary storage for furniture and belongings
  • ☐ Empty all closets in rooms being floored
  • ☐ Disconnect and remove all electronics
  • ☐ Label cables and photograph setup
  • ☐ Remove all artwork and wall hangings
  • ☐ Arrange pet care for installation days
  • ☐ Arrange childcare for installation days
  • ☐ Remove all valuables from the work area
  • ☐ Disconnect and move appliances
  • ☐ Arrange professional disconnection for gas appliances
  • ☐ Clear the driveway and pathways
  • ☐ Lay down protective covering on paths
  • ☐ Ensure installer access to power, water, and bathroom
  • ☐ Maintain consistent HVAC operation
  • ☐ Cover vents and seal adjacent rooms
  • ☐ Check door clearance for new flooring
  • ☐ Discuss baseboards and trim with installer

Oklahoma Considerations

  • Storm season — schedule around Oklahoma's severe weather season.
  • Humidity — maintain consistent HVAC during and after installation.
  • Red clay — protect pathways from red clay tracked during installation.
  • Temperature — maintain consistent indoor temperature for acclimation.

Key Takeaways

  • Proper home preparation protects belongings and ensures efficient installation.
  • Empty all furniture, closets, and electronics from rooms being floored.
  • Arrange pet care and childcare for installation days.
  • Remove valuables and arrange professional appliance disconnection.
  • Clear pathways and ensure installer access to power, water, and bathroom.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not emptying the room completely before installation.
  • Expecting installers to move heavy or fragile items.
  • Not arranging pet care or childcare.
  • Not disconnecting appliances in advance.
  • Not protecting pathways and adjacent rooms from dust.

Expert Tips

  • Start preparation several days before installation.
  • Label boxes and cables for easy reinstallation.
  • Photograph electronics setup before disconnecting.
  • Keep essential items accessible during the project.
  • Communicate with the installer about any special preparation needs.

Questions to Ask Before Making a Decision

  • What does the installer expect me to prepare before installation?
  • Will the installer move furniture, and is there an additional charge?
  • Do I need to arrange for appliance disconnection?
  • How will dust be controlled during installation?
  • What access does the installer need to power, water, and bathroom?

When to Consult a Flooring Professional

Consult a flooring professional during the estimate process to discuss preparation requirements. A professional will provide a preparation checklist and answer questions about what needs to be done before installation day.

Bottom Line

Proper home preparation protects your belongings and ensures efficient installation. Empty all furniture, closets, and electronics. Arrange pet care and childcare. Remove valuables and arrange professional appliance disconnection. Clear pathways and ensure installer access. Use the comprehensive checklist to prepare your home.

Related Articles

  • How Do You Protect New Flooring During a Remodel?
  • What Happens During a Professional Flooring Estimate?
  • Should You Remodel One Room at a Time or the Entire House?
  • What Makes a Great Flooring Installation Last for Decades?

Still have questions? Visit your nearest Premier Carpet & Tile showroom to speak with an experienced flooring professional who can help you make the right decision for your home, lifestyle, and budget.

Key considerations

  • Proper home preparation protects belongings and ensures efficient installation
  • Empty all furniture, closets, and electronics from rooms being floored
  • Arrange pet care and childcare for installation days
  • Remove valuables and arrange professional appliance disconnection
  • Clear pathways and ensure installer access to power, water, and bathroom

A common misconception

Many homeowners believe floor preparation is the installer's responsibility and that the home does not need any preparation before installation day. In reality, homeowner preparation is essential for a smooth, efficient, and damage-free installation.

Ask an Expert