Photo: istockphoto.com
Replacing the floor in your home is a project some experienced DIYers are equipped to handle. Still, if you don’t have the skill—or, more realistically, time—to take on this renovation project, it’s better to hire one of the best flooring contractors to get the job done. While you can find some results by searching “best flooring installers near me,” settling on one of these options without any further research could leave you with low-quality flooring or poor installation.
Instead, it’s recommended to thoroughly research the best flooring companies in your area to find out more about the quality of service, pricing, flooring options, and installation process. Review the top choices below, then use the information in this article to come to your own conclusion about the best flooring company for your next home renovation project.
- BEST OVERALL: Empire Today
- BEST FOR HARDWOOD: LL Flooring
- BEST FOR CARPETING: Luna
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: National Floors Direct
- ALSO CONSIDER: The Home Depot
Photo: istockphoto.com
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring Company for You
Customers can quickly find how many options they have nearby with a simple internet search for the “best flooring companies near me” or even the “best flooring stores near me.” While flooring stores may not offer installation services, they can provide customers with more flooring options for a renovation project. However, it’s essential for a customer to know what to consider when looking for a flooring installation company.
Types of Flooring Available
Whether a customer decides to head to the best flooring center in the area or prefers to find options online, it’s necessary to have at least a basic understanding of the most common flooring materials.
- Carpet is a good choice for customers concerned about insulation because it protects against the transmission of heat and sound. However, carpet typically requires more maintenance than other flooring materials, and it can be difficult to clean, especially if customers have pets that shed. Customers who are set on carpet for the home will want to look into one of the best carpet installation companies to find a reliable installer.
- Hardwood is one of the most popular options for home flooring renovations. It looks good for years, and hardwood is also highly durable and relatively easy to clean. The drawback of this material is that it isn’t the best for the kitchen, bathroom, or other areas where water is a common concern because the wood can swell and warp.
- Vinyl flooring is cost-effective and water-resistant. The best vinyl plank flooring brands come with various design choices and can look like hardwood or tile, so customers can truly customize their homes. Just keep in mind that vinyl isn’t as durable as hardwood flooring.
- Laminate flooring is a scratch-resistant option that comes in many different designs and styles for a custom appearance. Laminate flooring is another relatively affordable material, though it is susceptible to water damage, which often leads to the material coming loose or peeling.
- Tile is the most effective flooring material for the bathroom and kitchen because it’s durable, long lasting, and waterproof. Customers can install tiles in other areas of the home, though it’s important to note that tile is one of the most expensive flooring options.
Service Area
The service area refers to the geographic location within which the flooring company operates. Looking up “best flooring installation near me” can help customers find nearby flooring contractors, though it’s still important to research the companies to determine the quality of the work, installation process, flooring options, and pricing. Suppose a customer is thinking about taking on the project themselves. In that case, it’s recommended to visit the best flooring store in the area to find suitable materials and discuss the renovation project with trained professionals before proceeding.
Conversely, suppose a customer prefers working with an experienced, knowledgeable installation company that can complete the project quickly and effectively. In that case, it’s important to check the company’s website or speak to the customer support staff to find out the service area. Keep in mind that even if the home falls outside of the service area, the company may still be able to complete the work, though the customer may incur a travel fee on top of the installation price. Customers can avoid hidden costs by asking questions before agreeing to the installation or scheduling an estimate.
Estimate Scheduling Convenience
There are many contractors that can be hired to complete work around the home without the need for an initial on-site visit, such as electricians coming to repair a wire or appliance technicians replacing a dryer motor. However, most flooring companies will require an in-home estimate as the first step in the installation process, so there will be multiple appointments and visits to complete this project.
The reason for this in-home estimate is that pictures and measurements can only tell so much about a home, and flooring installers need to be able to see and plan for every unique angle, curve, and hidden nook in the room. This service is typically provided free to the customer. However, some companies charge a fee for the on-site estimate, so it’s important to always ask questions and find out the exact details before agreeing to anything.
In-Home Shopping Option
One of the more convenient options offered by some of the best flooring companies is in-home shopping. If a customer doesn’t want to go to the store or have flooring samples sent to their home through the mail, then in-home shopping is an excellent way of picking out materials and discussing costs. An experienced flooring installation professional comes to the home with a wide assortment of samples, allowing the customer to see the materials in person and understand how each option would look in the home. This service will typically be included with the installation estimate, but if a customer is concerned about hidden costs, they can ask the customer service representative about any additional charges while booking the appointment.
Pricing and Financing
To avoid unforeseen costs and fees, it’s recommended that customers ask for a detailed price breakdown before scheduling an estimate. While the company won’t be able to provide customers with the exact cost at this point, customers can use this opportunity to identify any add-ons that they aren’t comfortable with, such as a fee for the flooring estimate appointment.
If the customer decides to proceed with the company, the next step is to schedule an in-home estimate, which will further clarify the cost they can expect to pay for the flooring installation. Keep in mind that the type of flooring also impacts the price, so customers looking to save on this project may want to consider opting for vinyl or laminate. Additional factors affecting the price include old flooring removal, stairs, and even moving furniture.
Financing may be an option, depending on the flooring company. This payment method will ultimately cost more, but the payments are made over an extended period, which may be more manageable for some individuals. Financing options can even include helpful add-ons, like a period of interest-free nonpayment.
Warranty
One of the best ways for a customer to ensure that they won’t regret their new flooring installation is to find an experienced, reputable flooring company to provide the flooring material and complete the installation. These companies employ trained flooring installation experts that get the job done quickly and effectively—though mistakes can still happen. With this in mind, many flooring manufacturers warranty the material, while some flooring installation companies provide warranties on the installation.
A customer can invest in their peace of mind by choosing a top flooring installation company with a comprehensive warranty instead of relying on the cheapest flooring company they can find and taking a risk without a warranty to back up the decision. Before scheduling an in-home estimate, customers will want to ask about the warranty to clarify the terms and period.
Customer Support
If there is one factor any successful company needs, it is reliable customer support. Experienced, knowledgeable customer support staff can provide clear, concise answers to questions about price, warranties, scheduling, service area, and even material options. These high-quality professionals really make a company stand out, but when customer support is lacking, it’s a potential indication that the company prioritizes job completion over customer satisfaction.
However, customer support isn’t limited to customer service representatives. Anyone from the company who interacts with the customer in any way should be focused on providing top-quality customer service that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Customer support actually tends to matter more when the worker is in the customer’s own home. Not many people will be interested in choosing a flooring company if the on-site professionals cannot provide the same level of service as the customer service representatives.
Our Top Picks
This list of the best flooring installation companies was selected because the companies offer outstanding installation knowledge, experience, customer support, and overall quality. These companies are a great place to start the search for reliable flooring contractors.
Photo: empiretoday.com
Why It Made the Cut: Empire Today can cater to virtually any customer’s desires with its wide selection of flooring types, from hardwood to tile to carpet, to create the ideal home aesthetic.
One of the best parts about renovating the home is the sense of freedom, fun, and excitement in changing the look and feel of the home. Empire Today helps make this dream a reality with a variety of flooring types, colors, and designs, allowing customers to choose the floor they really want instead of settling for what is available. This flooring company offers next-day installation and in-home shopping to make the entire process more accessible and convenient.
Customers can schedule an in-home estimate online or over the phone. After installation, Empire Today offers a service plan covering damages beyond the relatively limited 1-year warranty, such as stains, snags, scratches, dings, and warping. This is an especially attractive service for homes with kids and pets. Up-front pricing includes an estimate for moving furniture, removing old flooring, new flooring, padding or underlayment, thresholds, trim, installation, and cleanup, so customers can be sure about how much they are paying before the job begins.
Specs
- Types of flooring available: Carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, tile
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: Yes
- Next-day installation: For in-stock flooring
- Warranty: 1-year installation warranty
Pros
- Next-day installation available
- Wide selection of flooring styles
- Service plan covers damages beyond warranty coverage
- Transparent, all-inclusive price estimate
Cons
- Relatively short installation warranty of 1 year
Photo: llflooring.com
Why It Made the Cut: Customers looking for high-quality hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or hybrid floors can turn to LL Flooring for its exhaustive selection.
Lumber Liquidators underwent a name change in 2020 and became LL Flooring. But as its former name suggests, LL Flooring is a top company for hardwood flooring options, and customers will find a wide range of quality hybrid, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, and tile flooring. While in-home shopping isn’t available, customers can visit LL Flooring showrooms or order up to four free samples online.
Customers can also take advantage of the augmented reality visualizer tool, available on LL Flooring’s website, to see what new flooring would look like in their homes. Customers will want to keep in mind that LL Flooring doesn’t specify its warranty details on its website, so it’s recommended to ask for more details before booking. Customers can book an in-home estimate online or over the phone.
Specs
- Types of flooring available: Hybrid, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, tile
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: No
- Next-day installation: Not available
- Warranty: Not specified
Pros
- Wide range of natural and hybrid wood flooring
- Augmented reality visualizer tool
- Free samples available online and in-store
Cons
- No installation warranty information readily available
- No in-home shopping option
Photo: luna.com
Why It Made the Cut: Customers looking for whole-home carpet can take advantage of Luna’s 110 percent low-price guarantee and next-day installation on a wide variety of budget and luxury carpet options.
Luna is a leading carpeting company based online. One of its standout features is its 110 percent low-price guarantee, which ensures that Luna will beat any competitor’s price or refund 110 percent of the difference. The company also offers a $150 discount for booking estimates online and next-day installation if the flooring material is currently in stock. While these impressive bargains and attractive guarantees help Luna stand out, the true value of hiring this flooring company is in the wide selection of signature carpet options, including stain-resistant carpeting that’s ideal for homes with pets and young kids.
The website uses small type that can be tough to read, and most of the available flooring options don’t have pictures online. Luckily, Luna’s in-home shopping allows customers to see all of Luna’s options in person. Customers who don’t mind sacrificing the $150 discount for online booking can book appointments over the phone or call with additional questions about the in-home shopping service or 2-year installation warranty.
Specs
- Types of flooring available: Carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, tile
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: Yes
- Next-day installation: For in-stock flooring
- Warranty: 2-year installation warranty
Pros
- Wide selection of signature carpet options
- Next-day installation available
- 110 percent low-price guarantee
- $150 discount available for online booking
Cons
- Website is somewhat user-unfriendly
- Many flooring options not readily visible online
Photo: nationalfloorsdirect.com
Why It Made the Cut: Customers don’t have to sacrifice flooring or installation quality for a better price with the money-saving solutions National Floors Direct offers.
National Floors Direct offers a wide selection of flooring options at affordable prices, and the company guarantees that its installation prices will be 15 percent lower than that of competitors. For customers who live in the northeastern U.S., National Floors Direct offers next-day installation as long as the flooring materials are currently in stock. Customers who are outside of this area but still have a National Floors Direct location nearby can still take advantage of the in-home estimate and in-home shopping process to discuss the best options for the home with an experienced flooring installation professional. It’s also a good idea for customers to get information on the installation warranty during the estimate process. The benefits to customers continue with a $150 discount for booking online. The company mentions explicitly that customers are not charged extra for premium underlayment or if the installers need to move furniture.
Specs
- Types of flooring available: Carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, tile
- Estimate scheduling: Online, phone
- In-home shopping: Yes
- Next-day installation: At select locations
- Warranty: Not specified
Pros
- Installation cost guaranteed to be 15 percent lower than competitors’ costs
- $150 discount available for online booking
- No additional charges for furniture moving or premium underlayment
Cons
- Next-day flooring installation only available for the northeastern U.S.
- No installation warranty information readily available
Photo: homedepot.com
Why It Made the Cut: With over 2,300 locations, The Home Depot is a home improvement mainstay that can also provide flooring installation services nationwide.
As one of the most popular home renovation and home improvement stores, The Home Depot is well known and heavily frequented across the U.S.—and it’s also a great choice for flooring installation. The company boasts over 2,300 locations nationwide, ensuring that almost every customer falls within the service area for at least one store. The company does not offer in-home shopping options and charges customers a $50 fee for in-home measurements. However, this fee is deducted if customers book an installation with The Home Depot.
The Home Depot offers a wide selection of carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, tile, garage flooring, and gym flooring, as well as a lifetime labor warranty. Customers can also order flooring samples online for $1 each, or they can get free samples sent to their homes when they schedule an in-home estimate.
Specs
- Types of flooring available: Carpet, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, tile, garage, gym
- Estimate scheduling: Online
- In-home shopping: No
- Next-day installation: Not available
- Warranty: Lifetime labor warranty
Pros
- Over 2,300 locations nationwide
- Lifetime labor warranty
Cons
- $50 fee for in-home measurements
- No in-home shopping option
Our Verdict
Empire Today is a top choice for customers looking for a wide range of options to customize the appearance of the home. If a customer has already decided on a hardwood floor for the home, then LL Flooring’s stock of hybrid and natural hardwood flooring is another excellent option.
How We Chose the Best Flooring Companies
To put together a list of the best flooring companies, it was essential to start the search with companies that had a nationwide presence in order to choose flooring contractors that could serve a majority of customers. We considered service area limitations, estimate scheduling, pricing, financing, warranties, and installation processes.
The best flooring companies stood out from competitors by providing a wide selection of styles, transparent pricing, reliable warranties, and price-match offers that really help customers feel as though they are valued. Similarly, extra services, like in-home shopping or in-store showrooms, also helped companies stand out from competitors, though this alone was not enough to make the list.
Before You Hire the Best Flooring Company for You
It’s important for customers to take their time deciding on whether or not to hire a flooring company for a flooring renovation project. Ripping out the old floors and installing new ones takes time, which means customers need to be prepared for the work area to be essentially unlivable for at least a few days. If new flooring isn’t in the budget, homeowners can consider hardwood floor refinishing or professional floor cleaning to improve the appearance of the existing floors.
Another factor to consider is whether this is a project a homeowner can tackle on their own. While installing tile, hardwood, and carpet may be too difficult for many DIYers, laminate and vinyl are much easier to work with and relatively inexpensive materials, so if a homeowner makes a few mistakes, it won’t cost a lot to fix. Homeowners who want to DIY this project should still be aware of the preparation and time required, and it often may make more sense to hire a professional to alleviate the burden of the job.
Cost of Hiring the Best Flooring Company for You
In most cases, flooring companies stock or source a wide range of flooring options to choose from, so the total price of the installation will fluctuate based on the type of flooring material chosen. Similarly, customers can expect some differences between the labor and installation costs offered by each company, allowing them to shop around for the most attractive offer. Just keep in mind that not all costs are up front. For example, one company may include old flooring removal in its quote, while another does not. It’s important to always ask which services are included and which costs are extra before booking an estimate.
On average, a flooring installation will cost an average of $3,000, though the price can range from $1,490 to $4,550, depending on the size and shape of the room. The material also factors into this price range. Carpet options typically cost about $3.50 to $11 per square foot, while tile can range from $6 to $20 per square foot. Hardwood usually falls between $6 and $22 per square foot, but some premium options can be as costly as $25 per square foot. Laminate and vinyl flooring are the most affordable choices, with a low end cost of about $2 per square foot and a high-end average of about $12 per square foot.
The Advantages of Using the Best Flooring Company for You
The difference between hiring one of the best flooring companies to complete the work at a customer’s home or a customer trying to manage it on their own can be substantial. Once a customer has decided on the material and how they want the floor to look, experienced installers bring the project to life. Pros work quickly to install the new floor, but they also take the time to prevent any issues with the installation. However, if problems do happen, reputable flooring companies typically guarantee the work, so a customer isn’t left to pay for repairs to a brand-new floor.
- Knowledgeable experts can help customers make informed choices.
- Experienced and skilled installers ensure the work is completed right the first time.
- Warranties and guarantees help protect customers in case of installation problems.
FAQs
Don’t make a hasty decision after a 5-minute search for the “best flooring company near me.” Read the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the best flooring companies and flooring material to ensure the choice is well informed.
Q. How much does it cost to lay flooring in a house?
Cost is a key consideration to keep in mind when you are deciding on the material and the best flooring company to complete the work. On average, the cost to lay flooring in a house ranges from about $1,490 to $4,550.
Q. Is laminate flooring good for condos?
When it comes to choosing the best flooring material for a condo, you need to consider the appearance, function, and soundproofing qualities. With this in mind, even the best laminate flooring isn’t very good for soundproofing, but laminate can be a quick, inexpensive material to refinish the floors before a sale or update the condo without breaking the bank.
Q. Can you change the flooring in a condo?
Changing the flooring in a condo isn’t usually a problem, though you may want to check with the homeowners association and building management to ensure that you are approved to proceed with the renovation, as there can be building-specific restrictions.
Q. What is the best flooring material?
The best flooring material depends on the location. For instance, a hardwood floor is reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, but it still isn’t recommended to install hardwood in the bathroom where it can become saturated with water, causing the wood to swell and warp. Ceramic tile is a moisture-resistant, durable option for bathrooms or kitchens, but it isn’t the best flooring for dogs and other pets because the slick surface often leads to slips and falls. Consider the pros and cons of each type of flooring before making a final decision about the best floor for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, dining room, den, basement, or bedroom.
