Buying new floors can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. That said, it should never feel like a guessing game.
No one likes hidden costs or unexpected surprises. Because of this, for many homeowners, it’s enough to put the whole project on hold. In the end, a complete, honest estimate can change everything. At Easton Flooring in Willow Grove, we do exactly that and there’s a good reason for it.
What Does a Complete Flooring Estimate Include?
When Steve Ashley from Easton Flooring visits a customer home to provide an estimate, he doesn’t miss a thing. How? It all comes from over 20 years of experience, he knows what to look for and what questions to ask.
“We aren’t going to miss things,” Steve explains. “We’ve been doing this long enough. It’s a complete estimate. There are very rarely any surprises.”
A complete estimate doesn’t just include measuring a room. At our flooring store in Willow Grove,PA, we know there’s a lot more to it. After you choose us, our process includes multiple steps:
- A thorough subfloor assessment
- Checking the basement when accessible to see the floor structure underneath
- A review of entry points for signs of previous leaks or moisture intrusion
- A direct conversation with the homeowner about soft spots, concerns or problem areas
Our checks are thorough. Gathering more information upfront lets us provide a more accurate estimate. It also prevents anything unexpected from coming up after the job gets underway.
What Should You Ask During a Flooring Estimate?
Besides being a measurement, a flooring estimate is a conversation. A good estimator will ask good questions. However, you should also be asking questions. Let’s get into what to look for during the process.
Consider asking:
- How long have you been in business and who will be doing the work?
- Is the estimate all-inclusive?
- What happens if something unexpected is found once the old floor comes up?
At first glance, these questions seem simple, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. An experienced Willow Grove flooring contractor will have seen hundreds of projects. Plus, you’ll want to know about all of the line items including materials, labor, subfloor prep and removal of existing flooring.
At Easton Flooring, we answer those questions before you even have to ask. The estimate will cover the entire project and if anything unexpected comes up, we address it transparently.
“If there is something unexpected, then we’ll address it, take care of it, get a price if there needs to be any unexpected repairs,” Steve says. “But that rarely happens. I’ve been out here long enough. I know what I’m looking at. I know what to look for.”
The confidence comes from experience. It’s also the difference between walking into a project with clarity and walking in hoping for the best.
What About Unexpected Costs?
No flooring professional can honestly guarantee that every project will go exactly as planned. It’s easy for something to come up that isn’t visible from the surface. The most common problems? A subfloor might have hidden water or rot that can only be seen after removing the existing flooring. These things happen. However, it doesn’t happen as much if the person doing the estimate knows what to look for.
“Barring we rip up and the floor’s rotted out underneath and there was no visible signs from the surface, there was no way to see that and know that,” Steve explains. “If there is, then we’ll address it, take care of it, get a price if there needs to be for any unexpected repairs. But that rarely happens.”
The key word? Rarely. When an estimator goes down to the basement, checks for soft spots, asks the right questions and has two decades of experience, there’s a much lower chance of surprises.
Thinking about new floors and wondering what the project might cost? Visit our Willow Grove showroom or call us at (215) 565-8854 so we can walk you through the process.
What Should You Look For When Choosing a Flooring Company?
The estimate process can make or break a flooring company. When you’re shopping around, you should be asking yourself:
- How thorough are they?
- How transparent?
- Do they ask the right questions or simply measure and leave?
These answers tell you a lot about how the rest of the experience will go.
Consider who’s giving the estimate. In large retail chains, a person might be working there six months and be gone in another six. It’s not a criticism of anyone individually, it’s simply the reality of high-turnover retail environments.
“I know some of the larger stores, they can be salesmen that have only been there for six months and those may only be around for another six to nine months,” Steve notes. “Their turnover rate is very high. We’ve been the same from day one and we plan on continuing that.”
Continuity matters. The same experienced team who have been doing the work for over 20 years know what a space needs before the first plank goes down. We aren’t learning on the floor, we’re bringing two decades of instinct and knowledge to every job site.
At Easton Flooring, you’re interacting with the decision makers from the very first conversation. We don’t make you deal with middlemen or inexperienced salespeople. Our team consists of honest people who have been doing their jobs since 2004 and plan on being here long after the job is done.
Why is Consistency More Important Than You Think?
Some things never change and that’s for the better. When you turn to Easton Flooring, you get consistency and a guarantee the person giving you an estimate will stand behind the work five years later. While not the biggest operation in the area, we are one of the most reliable. Serving Bucks and Eastern Montgomery County since 2004, our team answers the phone, shows up on time, provides a complete estimate and backs every installation with a lifetime warranty on labor.
Ready to find out what your flooring project really costs? Visit our Willow Grove showroom or contact us to schedule an estimate!
