A floor can look smooth and still fall outside a product flatness requirement. Share your plans with Raleigh Flooring Contractors HQ.
Ask for the base to be checked before rigid plank, laminate or tile is installed.
Flat and level are different
A surface can slope yet remain flat. A surface can also be level overall but have dips and ridges. The chosen flooring instructions determine the flatness tolerance that matters for installation.
Rigid plank joints can be stressed by unsupported low areas. Tile also needs a base suited to its size and setting system. Neither should be expected to hide a poor substrate.
Ask how high and low spots will be treated
Preparation may involve grinding high areas, using an appropriate patch or applying a leveling product. The method depends on the base, its condition and the required finished height.
The preparation system may have its own primer, drying and moisture requirements. Ask what products are proposed and when the surface will be ready for the next step.
A new layer also changes the height at thresholds, cabinets and doors. The installer should account for those edges rather than solve them after the main floor is down.
Avoid an undefined extra
Ask whether the quote includes measured preparation or an allowance that can change. Clear approval steps help prevent a surprise charge once the room is stripped.
Floor preparation should be priced separately from material when you compare estimates. Otherwise a cheap plank rate can mask the cost of making the base suitable.
Can extra padding take out dips?
Padding is not a general substitute for correcting the substrate. Use only the underlay and preparation system allowed for the exact flooring product.