The Complete Guide to Preparing Your Home for New Flooring Installation

You've picked out your new floors, scheduled the installation, and you're excited to see the transformation. But before installation day arrives, there's work to do. Proper preparation makes the difference between a smooth installation and a stressful experience with delays and complications.

Here's everything you need to know to get your home ready for new flooring.

Start Planning Early

Good preparation doesn't happen the night before installation. Give yourself at least a week to handle everything on this list, maybe two if you're tackling a large project or multiple rooms.

Early planning also gives you time to address surprises. Maybe you find carpet padding that's damaged and needs replacement. Maybe there's a subfloor issue that needs attention. Discovering these things with time to spare prevents last-minute scrambling.

Clear the Rooms Completely

This seems obvious, but it's worth emphasizing. The installation crew needs complete access to the floor. That means everything comes out of the room.

Furniture

Move all furniture to another part of your home or into storage. This includes obvious pieces like couches and beds, but also nightstands, dressers, chairs, and anything else sitting on the floor.

If you have extremely heavy items like a piano or a gun safe, talk to your flooring company ahead of time. Some companies will move heavy furniture as part of their service. Others prefer you hire professional movers. Either way, sort this out before installation day.

Don't plan to shift furniture from one side of the room to the other during installation. That rarely works as smoothly as people imagine, and it slows down the process.

Small Items

Take everything off the floor. Rugs, plants, laundry baskets, kids' toys, pet beds—all of it needs to go. Walk through the room and imagine it as a completely empty box. That's what you're aiming for.

Remove items from closets that will get new flooring too. Yes, even those boxes of Christmas decorations you haven't touched in three years.

Wall Decorations

Large mirrors, heavy pictures, and anything else hanging on the walls in the room should come down. Installation creates vibration and movement that can knock things loose. Better to take them down yourself than have them fall.

Window Treatments

Heavy curtains or blinds don't need to be removed, but make sure they're pulled up and won't drag on the floor during installation.

Plan for Dust and Noise

Flooring installation is messy and loud. Prepare yourself and your household for a few days of disruption.

Dust Control

Removing old flooring kicks up dust. Cutting new materials creates more. Even with professional crews who clean as they work, dust spreads beyond the work area.

Close doors to rooms that aren't getting new floors. Seal gaps under doors with towels if you're particularly concerned. Cover any items in adjacent rooms that you're worried about.

If anyone in your household has asthma or severe allergies, consider staying elsewhere during the installation. The dust settles within a day or two after the work is done, but during installation, it can be significant.

Noise

Removing old flooring often involves hammering, prying, and loud scraping sounds. Installing new materials means cutting, nailing, and more noise. Some types of flooring installation are louder than others, but none of it is quiet.

If you work from home, plan to be somewhere else during installation days. If you have young children who nap, arrange to be out of the house during sleep times. Pets who are sensitive to noise should stay with a friend or in a kennel for the day.

Ventilation

Some adhesives and finishes create strong odors. Open windows when possible to improve air flow. This is especially important if you're having hardwood finished in place or using certain types of glue-down flooring.

Remove Old Flooring (Sometimes)

Whether you need to remove your existing flooring depends on what's being installed and what you currently have.

In many cases, the installation crew handles removal as part of the job. They'll tear out the old carpet, pull up the old vinyl, or remove whatever's there. This is typically included in your installation quote, but confirm ahead of time.

If you want to save money and you're capable of doing the work, you might remove old flooring yourself. Pulling up carpet is straightforward if you have the time and tools. Removing tile or hardwood is harder and might not be worth the effort.

Before you remove anything yourself, talk to your flooring company. Some materials need to be removed in specific ways to protect the subfloor underneath. If you damage the subfloor during DIY removal, you'll end up paying for repairs.

Address Subfloor Issues

Your subfloor needs to be clean, dry, level, and structurally sound before new flooring goes down.

Check for Moisture

Moisture in your subfloor will cause problems no matter what flooring you install. In basements or rooms where moisture might be an issue, testing is smart.

You can buy moisture meters relatively cheaply, or your flooring installer can test for you. If moisture levels are too high, you'll need to address the source before moving forward.

Solutions might include improving ventilation, fixing leaks, installing vapor barriers, or using dehumidifiers. Don't skip this step. Moisture ruins flooring.

Look for Damage

Walk through the room and pay attention to soft spots, squeaks, or areas that feel uneven. These indicate subfloor problems that need fixing.

Water damage, rot, or termite damage all require subfloor replacement. This isn't fun to discover, but it's much better to know before installation starts.

Level the Surface

Flooring needs a level surface to perform properly. Small imperfections usually aren't a problem, but dips, humps, or significant unevenness will cause issues.

Your installer will check the level and can use self-leveling compound to smooth things out if needed. This adds time and cost, but it's necessary for a good result.

Acclimate Your Flooring Materials

Most flooring needs time to adjust to your home's temperature and humidity before installation. This process is called acclimation, and skipping it causes problems.

Your flooring company will deliver materials a few days before installation. Stack the boxes in the room where they'll be installed, and open them so air can circulate.

Keep your home at its normal temperature and humidity during this period. If it's winter and you normally keep the heat at 68 degrees, set it there. Don't leave materials sitting in a cold house and then crank up the heat on installation day.

Acclimation time varies by material. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines, which your flooring company should provide. Most materials need at least 48 hours. Some hardwoods need up to a week.

Clear Pathways and Parking

Installation crews will be hauling materials in and out of your home. Make their job easier by clearing pathways.

Inside Your Home

Create a clear path from the entrance to the room getting new floors. Move rugs, plants, and anything else that could be tripped over. If the crew needs to walk through other rooms, protect those floors with drop cloths or runners.

Clear hallways and staircases if the work area is upstairs. Tight turns and narrow spaces make carrying materials difficult. Anything you can do to give them more room helps.

Outside Your Home

Make sure there's parking close to your house. Crews need to unload materials, tools, and equipment. A nearby parking spot saves time and effort.

Clear your driveway or the street in front of your house. If you have neighbors who tend to park in front of your home, give them a heads-up that you'll need that space for a few days.

Plan for Bathroom and Kitchen Access

If you're installing flooring in your bathroom or kitchen, think about how you'll manage without access to those rooms.

For kitchens, set up a temporary cooking and eating area elsewhere. Stock up on paper plates and disposable utensils. Plan simple meals that don't require much prep. You'll be without your kitchen for at least a day, maybe longer depending on the scope of the work.

For bathrooms, you'll need access to a different bathroom in your home. If you're doing your only bathroom, arrange to stay somewhere else or prepare for inconvenience.

Prepare Your Pets

Installation day is stressful for pets. The noise, strangers in the house, and disrupted routine all create anxiety. Your dog or cat doesn't understand what's happening, and they might react by barking, hiding, or trying to escape.

The safest option is to take your pets somewhere else for the day. A friend's house, a doggy daycare, or a kennel keeps them safe and reduces their stress.

If that's not possible, confine them to a room far from the work area with food, water, and comfort items. Make sure the installation crew knows pets are in the house so doors don't accidentally get left open.

Talk to Your Flooring Company

Communication prevents problems. Before installation day, confirm the details.

Verify the Schedule

Double-check the installation date and time. Find out how long the crew expects to be there. Ask if they anticipate finishing in one day or if it will take multiple days.

Clarify What's Included

Make sure you understand what the installation includes. Does the crew move furniture, or is that your responsibility? Do they remove old flooring? Do they haul away debris? What about putting furniture back afterward?

Get clear answers to these questions ahead of time so there are no surprises.

Ask About Protecting Your Home

Find out what measures the crew takes to protect the rest of your home. Do they use floor runners? Do they have a plan for dust containment? Will they clean up at the end of each day if the project takes multiple days?

Good installation companies take these things seriously and will explain their process.

Discuss Any Concerns

If you have specific worries, speak up. Maybe there's a corner of the room that's tricky to access. Maybe you have expensive items in adjacent rooms you're concerned about. Maybe your schedule requires the crew to be finished by a certain time.

Whatever it is, mention it. Most concerns can be addressed with simple planning.

Final Walk-Through

A day or two before installation, do a final walk-through of the space. Make sure everything is ready.

Is the room empty? Is the path clear? Are materials acclimated? Did you address any last-minute items on your list?

This final check catches anything you might have forgotten and gives you peace of mind going into installation day.

What to Expect on Installation Day

The crew will arrive and get right to work. They'll bring in tools and materials, set up their work area, and start the removal and installation process.

You don't need to hover, but being available for questions is helpful. The crew might need to ask about things like where to cut around a vent or how to handle an unexpected situation.

Once installation is complete, the crew will clean up. They'll sweep, vacuum, and remove debris. Your floors will be ready to use according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Some floors can be walked on immediately. Others need time to set.

The crew should do a final walk-through with you to make sure everything looks good and answer any questions you have about caring for your new floors.

After Installation

Keep foot traffic light for the first day or two if recommended for your type of flooring. Wait at least 24 hours before moving furniture back. Use felt pads under furniture legs to protect your new floors.

Clean your floors according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different materials require different care, so ask questions if you're not sure.

If you notice any issues after the crew leaves, contact your flooring company right away. Reputable companies stand behind their work and will address problems.

Making It Easier on Yourself

Flooring installation is disruptive, but preparation reduces the stress. The time you invest upfront pays off with a smoother process and better results.

At One Stop Flooring Shop, we walk every customer through what to expect before installation day. We want you to feel confident and prepared. If you have questions about preparing your home for your flooring project, call us or stop by our Asheville showroom at 367 N. Louisiana Avenue. We're happy to help you get ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does flooring installation take?

Most single-room projects take one to two days. Larger projects or whole-home installations take longer. Your flooring company can give you a specific timeline based on your project scope.

Do I need to be home during installation?

You don't have to be there the entire time, but someone should be available to answer questions and do a final walk-through. Many homeowners stay elsewhere during the noisiest parts of the day.

Can I walk on new floors right away?

It depends on the type of flooring. LVP and some laminates can be walked on immediately. Hardwood might need time for finishes to cure. Tile needs time for adhesive to set. Follow the installer's specific guidelines for your flooring type.

What happens if the crew finds problems with my subfloor?

If significant issues are discovered, the crew will stop and discuss options with you. You'll need to decide whether to proceed with repairs before installation continues. This can delay the project, but it's necessary to protect your investment.

Should I tip the installation crew?

Tipping isn't required, but it's appreciated for exceptional service. If you do tip, $20 to $50 per crew member is typical. Providing water and snacks is always welcome.

How much furniture can I leave in adjacent rooms?

Leave as much space as possible near the work area. The crew needs room to stage materials and move around. Clearing adjacent rooms makes the process easier, especially in open floor plans.

What if my flooring delivery is delayed?

Contact your flooring company immediately. They'll reschedule installation to a time after the materials have arrived and acclimated. Don't try to rush the acclimation period to stick to the original schedule.

How do I protect my floors after installation?

Use felt pads under furniture legs, place mats at entryways to catch dirt, clean spills promptly, and follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Regular maintenance keeps your new floors looking great for years.