How to prepare your home for new flooring installation

Getting new floors is exciting. It changes the look of a room in a single day. The part that feels tricky is everything that happens before the installers show up. This guide walks you through flooring installation preparation in plain language.

Quick overview

If you only do three things, do these:

Clear the space of small items and breakables first, then empty furniture or arrange for professional moving help. Label boxes by room.
Confirm the plan with your installer in writing. Ask who moves appliances and furniture, whether doors and trim will be adjusted, and how debris is handled. Policies differ, so confirm before the date.
Control dust and access. Create a clear path from the entry to the work area. Tape off nearby rooms, protect vents as advised, and decide where installers should park and stage materials.

The rest of this guide breaks it all down step by step.

One week before: set the plan

Confirm what is included

Call or message your installer. Ask these questions and note the answers:

Will the crew remove and dispose of the old flooring
Will they move furniture, or do you need a moving team
Who disconnects and reconnects gas stoves, refrigerators with water lines, dishwashers, and washing machines
Are toilets removed for bathroom work, and who handles reinstalling with a new wax ring
Will the crew cut or plane doors if the new floor sits higher
What is the exact arrival window, and how long will the work take

Furniture moving and appliance handling can vary by company, so do not assume it is included. Get it in writing to avoid delays on the day.

Measure access and protect the route.

Walk the path from the driveway to the work area. Note tight turns, stairs, or low light. Move art or lamps along the path and roll up rugs. Place a mat at the door and lay down protective runners if you have extras.

Plan storage and staging.

Choose a clean, dry room or garage space for boxes, tools, and trash bins. If the project covers many rooms, set a simple sequence such as bedrooms first and hallway last. That was why you always have a place to sleep.

Line up help for heavy items.

Pool tables, fish tanks, grand pianos, safes, and treadmills need special handling. Ask your installer if they can arrange specialists or if you should book a separate service.

Think about kids and pets.

Decide where kids will play away from the work zone. Plan pet care for the day. Set up a closed room with food, water, and a familiar bed, or arrange daycare. This lowers stress for everyone.

Order transitions and trims if needed

New floors often need matching transition pieces and a quarter round. These pieces bridge small gaps at walls or between rooms. Planning them now saves a last-minute store run on install day.

Three to five days before: prepare the room

Move small items and breakables first

Pack photos, plants, books, toys, lamps, and tabletop decor. Empty bookcases and sideboards. Remove art from walls and mirrors near the work zone.

Empty closets in affected rooms

If the floor will continue into closets, take out shoes and bins. Leave the space clear to the baseboards.

Decide on baseboards and quarter round

Ask whether the trim will be left in place with the new quarter round or fully removed and reinstalled. Either approach can work. Confirm the plan so that touch-up paint is ready.

Confirm acclimation and site conditions.

Some materials need time in the room before installation. Wood and similar products may need the cartons to rest in the space so the material reaches a stable moisture level and room temperature. Follow the product instructions your installer provides.

Schedule appliance and plumbing disconnects if required

Electric stoves often unplug easily. Gas lines and water supply lines should be handled by a licensed professional. Confirm timing so the kitchen or laundry is ready when the crew arrives.

One to two days before: final prep

Clear the furniture

Move furniture out of the room. If you cannot move a large piece, empty it and ask how the crew prefers to handle it. Some companies offer furniture moving as an add-on, while others require the room to be fully empty.

Disconnect electronics

Unplug televisions, speakers, consoles, and smart home hubs in the work area. Coil cords and place them in a labeled bag.

Set up dust control

Close doors to rooms that are not part of the project. Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting on cased openings near the work. Cover vents as your installer recommends.

Protect nearby surfaces

Drape countertops and open shelving with lightweight plastic. Remove window treatments where sawdust might collect.

Check for squeaks and low spots.

As you walk through the room, listen and feel. Mark squeaks and dips with painter’s tape. Tell the crew on arrival so they can tighten subfloor fasteners or level small areas during prep.

Installation day: what to expect

Arrival and walkthrough

Meet the lead installer. Review the scope, room sequence, and the plan for waste. Point out any marked squeaks or problem areas and confirm where tools and boxes can be staged.

Old floor removal and subfloor prep

If removal is part of the job, it happens first. Crews will pull old carpet or planks, scrape residue, and check the subfloor. They may sand high seams and fill low spots to meet flatness guidelines for the product.

Underlayment or moisture barrier

Depending on your product and subfloor, the crew may install an underlayment or moisture barrier. This improves comfort, sound, and longevity.

Laying the floor and fitting trims

The crew installs the new material according to the manufacturer’s pattern and spacing rules. In floating systems, small gaps around the perimeter allow the floor to move with temperature and humidity. Transitions and quarter-round finish the edges for a clean look.

Furniture and appliances

If furniture moving is included, the crew will return items once the floor is safe to walk on. Many companies have limits on heavy or specialty items, so confirm the details in your agreement to avoid surprises.

Cleanup and haul away

Ask how debris will be handled. Some crews remove all waste and vacuum at the end. Others leave bagged trash at the curb for pickup. Clarify at the start of the day.

Material-specific prep tips

Hardwood and engineered wood

Keep the space in a stable range of temperature and humidity before and after installation.
Expect the boxes to rest in the room for a period if the product requires it.
Plan for felt pads under furniture and a no-shoes period to protect the finish.

Vinyl plank and rigid core

Most modern products do not need long acclimation, but room conditions should be within the maker’s limits.
Check door undercuts and transition heights since rigid products add thickness.

Laminate

Keep the room dry and level.
Use the right underlayment for sound and moisture if the subfloor is concrete.
Avoid wet mopping for the first day or two after installation if adhesive is used for any trims.

Tile and stone

Clear a path for buckets, saws, and large boxes.
Expect more dust and noise during cutting.
Plan for limited room access while the thinset and grout cure.

Carpet

Empty closets and move low-hanging clothing.
Ask how seams will be placed and how stairs will be handled.
Decide in advance whether you want existing padding replaced.

Room by room planning

Kitchens

Empty lower cabinets if the toe kicks or panels will be adjusted.
Clear counters. Put small appliances away.
If your refrigerator has a water line, schedule a plumber to disconnect and reconnect. Floors often go under the fridge, and the line should be handled by a pro.

Bathrooms

Remove toiletries and hangers.
Expect the toilet to be taken out and reinstalled with a fresh seal if the floor runs beneath it.
Keep a spare bathroom available for the day.

Bedrooms

Strip beds and remove linens to keep dust down.
Use this chance to declutter under bed storage.

Living rooms and halls

Take down art and mirrors on shared walls.
Move electronics and secure cables.
Plan a seating area in another room for the day.

Aftercare for the first seventy-two hours

Wait times. Ask when you can place furniture back and when rugs are safe. Some adhesive setups need a day or more before heavy loads.
Furniture pads. Add felt pads to chair legs and tables.
Climate. Keep the room at a normal living temperature and humidity range. This helps wood and laminate settle.
Initial clean. Use the cleaner recommended for your product. Avoid steam on wood or laminate unless the manufacturer says it is allowed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming furniture moving is included. Ask and confirm. Policies vary by company and by item weight.
Forgetting transition pieces. Plan for trims that finish doorways and edges. This small detail makes a big visual difference.
Skipping dust control. A few minutes of taping off doorways saves hours of cleaning.
Not planning appliance disconnects. Kitchens and laundries need water and gas lines handled safely. Schedule this before the crew arrives.
Ignoring site conditions. Many products need a room that is within the maker’s climate range. Stable temperature and humidity give better results.

Ready for New Floors? Let Hadayat & Co. Help You Get the Perfect Finish

A well-prepared home sets the stage for flawless flooring installation, and now that you know exactly how to plan, it’s time to choose the right floors. Hadayat & Co. is proud to offer the best flooring options in laminate flooring, combining durability, style, and comfort for every room in your home.

Our expert team will guide you from product selection to professional installation, making the entire process stress-free and seamless. Whether you’re renovating a single room or upgrading your entire home, we’ll make sure your new floors look amazing and last for years.

Call Hadayat & Co today or visit our showroom to explore our wide range of laminate flooring options and schedule your consultation. Your dream floors are just one step away.

Frequently asked questions

1. How clean should the room be before installers arrive?
Aim for a clear and tidy space rather than a deep clean. Remove small items, empty furniture, and clear the path to the work area.

2. Do I need to take doors off their hinges?
Not always. Ask your installer. If the new floor raises the height, doors may need to be trimmed or planed.

3. Who disconnects and reconnects my appliances?
Policies differ. Some installers do not handle gas or water lines. Plan for a plumber or Gas Safe technician if needed, and schedule this before the install day.

4. What about large items like pianos or pool tables?
These items often need specialists. Ask your installer for referrals or book a dedicated moving service so the crew can focus on flooring.

5. How soon can I put rugs and furniture back?
Follow the timing your installer gives you for your specific product. Some floors and adhesives need a set period before heavy items or area rugs go down.