How do I prepare my NB home before the flooring installers arrive?

Good preparation before your flooring installers arrive saves time, reduces costs, and helps ensure a smooth installation day. Most professional installers in NB appreciate — and some require — that homeowners handle certain prep tasks before the crew shows up. Here is what to take care of.

Clear the rooms completely. Move all furniture, area rugs, lamps, electronics, and personal items out of the installation area. Most installers charge $50-$200 per room for furniture moving, so handling this yourself saves real money. Heavy items like pianos, pool tables, and large appliances may require professional movers. If your installation covers multiple rooms, move everything to rooms that are not being done, or into the garage or a storage unit. In NB winters, be careful about storing heat-sensitive items in unheated garages where temperatures drop well below freezing.

Remove existing flooring if agreed upon. Check your contract — some installers include removal in their quote, while others expect you to handle it or charge extra ($1-$4 per square foot). If you are removing old carpet yourself, cut it into manageable strips with a utility knife, roll them up, and dispose of them. Important: if your NB home was built before 1986 and has vinyl tile or sheet vinyl, do NOT remove it without testing for asbestos first. Testing costs $25-$50 per sample, and if asbestos is present, removal must be done by a licensed abatement professional.

Remove baseboards and door casings if your installer requests it. Many installers prefer baseboards removed beforehand so they can run flooring to the wall and reinstall baseboards over top for a clean finish. Number each piece on the back with a pencil for easy reinstallation. Save any quarter-round or shoe moulding separately.

Ensure the acclimation period is complete. If you are having hardwood or engineered hardwood installed, your installer may have delivered materials 5-10 days early to acclimate in your home. Make sure the boxes have been stored in the rooms where they will be installed (not in the garage or basement), at your home's normal living temperature and humidity. In NB, where winter indoor humidity drops to 20-30%, this acclimation period is especially critical — never store hardwood in a cold, damp garage or an unheated room before installation.

Set your home's climate. Run your heating or cooling system to maintain normal living conditions — ideally 18-24 degrees Celsius with 35-55% relative humidity. In NB's winter, this means your furnace and humidifier should be running. In summer, air conditioning or a dehumidifier keeps Maritime humidity in check. The installation area should be at stable conditions for at least 48 hours before the crew arrives.

Make the space accessible. Clear a path from your exterior door to the work area for material delivery. If installers need to carry heavy boxes of hardwood or tile up stairs or through narrow hallways, remove obstacles and protect walls with cardboard at tight corners. Ensure your driveway or parking area can accommodate a delivery vehicle or installer's van.

Additional details to address. Trim doors to clear the new floor height (or ask your installer to do this). Disconnect and move appliances like refrigerators and stoves if the kitchen floor is being done. Secure pets in a separate area away from the work zone. If you have radiant in-floor heating, confirm with your installer that it has been off for the required period (typically 48 hours before installation).

Taking care of these steps means your installers can focus entirely on delivering a quality floor from the moment they arrive.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Arctic Fox Construction Inc.
• Modern Epoxy Inc
• Gionetterenovations
• Forever Epoxy Inc
• 3Tone Construction Ltd