Check the registration number first, get the contract in writing, and judge the quote on what it says about the subfloor. Choosing a flooring contractor is less about the product than about who will be in your home for a week and whether they will do the invisible work properly.
Verify registration before anything else
Home improvement contractors in New Jersey are required to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs and to display their registration number on advertising and contracts. You can look any contractor up through the Division of Consumer Affairs website. If a contractor will not give you their number, that is your answer. Ask us for ours too.
What the law gives you
New Jersey requires a written contract for home improvement work above $500, and it gives you three business days after signing to cancel. The contract should state the total price, the work to be done, the materials, and a start and completion timeframe. A verbal estimate is not a contract and does not protect you.
Judge the quote by what it says about the subfloor
This is the practical test. Almost every failed floor we are called to look at failed because of what was underneath: a subfloor that was not flat, a slab that was never moisture tested, wood that went down before it acclimated. A quote that mentions flatness tolerance, moisture testing or levelling has been prepared by someone who looked. A quote that is only a price per square foot has not.
Questions worth asking
- What is your HIC registration number?
- Did you check the subfloor, and what did you find?
- Is removal and disposal of the old floor included?
- What is the wear layer or wood species, exactly?
- What warranty covers the workmanship, as opposed to the material?
- Who will actually be on site?
Red flags
A quote that arrives without anyone having seen the room. Pressure to sign the same day. A large deposit demanded up front. Reluctance to put the price in writing. A price far below everyone else, which usually means the preparation has been priced out rather than the profit.
What flooring costs here
For reference, installed prices in Middlesex County run $3 to $8 for carpet, $4 to $8 for laminate, $5 to $11 for luxury vinyl, $8 to $15 for solid hardwood, $10 to $18 for engineered hardwood, and $10 to $25 for tile per square foot. A quote well outside those bands deserves a question in either direction.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a contractor is registered?
Search the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs contractor lookup using the business name or registration number.
Is a deposit normal?
A reasonable deposit is standard practice. A demand for most of the money before work begins is not.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is sensible. Compare what each says about preparation, not just the bottom line.