Max Gibson, owner
Key takeaways
- Clear small items, breakables and wall hangings before we arrive.
- Keep the house at normal living temperature and humidity, before and after.
- Hardwood is delivered early to acclimate; LVP usually needs only a day or two.
- Plan how long to stay off the floor: about a day for walking, two days for furniture on waterborne finishes.
The week before
- Empty the rooms of small things. Clear closets, shelves, decor and anything under beds. Pack fragile items; sanding and tapping planks causes vibration.
- Take down wall hangings near the work. Pictures and mirrors on shared walls can shift during installation.
- Decide on furniture. Ask us to move large furniture, or arrange it yourself. Plan where it goes, ideally a garage or a room not being done.
- Leave the A/C and heat running. Keep the home between about 60 and 80°F and 35–55% humidity so the floor goes down in the conditions you live in.
- Let new hardwood acclimate. Solid and engineered wood is usually delivered 3–7 days early and stacked in the rooms it is going into.
- Book appliance help if needed. Fridges with water lines, gas ranges and washers may need a plumber or an appliance tech to disconnect and reconnect.
On installation or refinishing day
Please
- Have a clear path from the driveway to the rooms
- Keep pets and kids out of the work area
- Make sure we have power and water access
- Walk the rooms with us to confirm transitions and colors
Good to know
- Doors may need trimming to clear a thicker floor
- Old baseboard or shoe molding may be removed and replaced
- Refinishing: plan to stay off those rooms while coats dry
- Our HEPA dust containment lets most families stay home
How long before you use the floor
| Floor | Light walking | Furniture back | Rugs back |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVP or laminate (floating) | Right away | Right away | Right away |
| Glue-down floors | 24 hours | 24–48 hours | 24–48 hours |
| Refinish: waterborne finish | About 1 day | About 2 days | About 1 week |
| Refinish: oil-based finish | About 1–2 days | About 3 days | About 2 weeks |
| Tile | After grout sets, about 24 hours | 24–48 hours | 24–48 hours |
Put felt pads on furniture legs before it goes back, and lift rather than slide heavy pieces. It is the easiest way to keep a brand-new floor scratch-free.
We walk through prep, timing and furniture with you at the free estimate, so install day goes smoothly.
Quick answers
Do I need to move my own furniture?
Not necessarily. We can move most furniture for you as part of the quote, apart from pianos, safes and items with valuables inside. Let us know at the estimate.
Can I stay home during flooring installation?
Yes, for installs and for our dust-contained refinishing. You just need to keep out of the rooms being worked on, and off freshly finished floors while they dry.
Why does hardwood need to acclimate?
Wood adjusts to the moisture in your home. Letting it sit in the rooms for a few days before installation reduces gaps and cupping later, which matters in humid coastal Virginia.
Should I turn off the A/C during installation?
No. Keep it running at normal settings before, during and after. Stable temperature and humidity help every floor perform.
