There are a few options here and one of them is by far the most cost effective and more trouble free than the others. If we discount the first and ”most likely to end in failure” method – i.e.: the guy that spends lots of his hard earned money on hardwood flooring then fits it himself, then we are left with just three other options, and they are-

1- Buy the hardwood flooring of your choice first, and then employ someone to fit it for you.

Sometimes this can work, but the dangers are obvious, firstly if the job fails for any reason then the fitter can just walk away and blame you or the materials, you could end up with a ‘bouncy’ surface due to poor preparation or bad installation methods, or any of the common, and costly wood flooring failures listed at the end of this article.

2- Buy your new flooring from a retailer and let him recommend a fitter who you pay separately. This method is slightly less risky, but still has all the dangers of the first method – who takes the blame if it goes wrong, one will always blame the other.

3- Find a local long established wood flooring installation specialist business that operate in your area. The best of these are usually small long standing family businesses that offer a free pre-installation survey which includes a sub floor moisture check using a hydrometer,and make sure the levels of the sub floor are correct before work begins. The ideal installer will also be able to let you choose from quality samples of wood flooring from his trusted supplier, on a supply and fit basis taking all of the gamble out of your project.

Always try to secure a deal where you pay nothing until you have your dream floor installed to your satisfaction.

Hardwood flooring is a great investment to your home, but only if installed by a professional team who know all the dos and dont’s, and don’t ask you for the agreed charges until the work is complete, if it doesn’t go to plan then you do not pay

Try to avoid dealing with sales people- ideally you want to speak to the guys who are going to install your floor from the outset

The ideal small wood flooring business will consist of just a few fitters who have worked together for many years, and if they are a family concern then all the better, these guys will take your call, then probably ask to make the appointment for your survey and quote late in the afternoon or early evening, and turn up in the van with their samples in their working clothes after a hard day floor fitting

Let them peel back the carpets and inspect everything they need to, because this is the only way you are going to end up with a great wooden floor.

Ask to speak to one of their recent customers about how their floor turned out, try and get to see it for yourself.

A hardwood floor fitting team is only as good as their last job- so ask to see it.

Do not be tempted with with cheap hardwood flooring from anyone, because the simple fact is good hardwood flooring is not cheap.

Do not be tempted with the jack of all trades for your installation, you need people who only fit wood flooring, not the guy who builds sheds or fits kitchens- this is always a mistake

Common wood flooring failures- Expansion or cupping of the planks due to moisture contact from below, or high humidity levels within the room,or poor installation method. Unevenor bouncy surface due to bad preparation. Squeeks or groans that drive you mad each time you walk on a particular area of the floor.