How we work
Supply, preparation and fitting, by the same pair of hands
Chris quotes the job, prepares the subfloor and lays the floor himself. That means the advice you get at the start is given by the person who has to make it work at the end.
- 01
A look at the actual floor
Every quote starts with a visit. We measure properly, look at what is under the existing floor, check the levels and the thresholds, and ask what the room is used for. Ten minutes here saves a great deal later.
- 02
A damp test before anything else
Concrete and screed hold moisture, and a glued floor laid over a damp slab will lift. We take moisture readings and, where they come back high, price in a liquid damp-proof membrane rather than crossing our fingers.
- 03
Samples brought to your home
Oak looks completely different under a showroom light than it does in a north-facing Cornish sitting room. We bring a selection to you so you can lay them out, live with them for a day or two and choose properly.
- 04
A written quote with the preparation in it
The quote covers the floor, the underlay or adhesive, accessories, the subfloor preparation and the fitting. If a screed or plywood overlay is needed, it is priced in from the start, not added later.
- 05
Preparation: levelling, screeding, plywood
Concrete gets a smoothing compound to take out the humps and hollows. Floorboards get plywood so nothing telegraphs through. Old adhesive and coverings are lifted and taken away. This is where most of the time goes.
- 06
Fitting, finishing and clearing up
Boards are acclimatised, set out from the right line, and cut around every awkward corner properly rather than filled with beading. Thresholds, scotia and skirting are finished to match, and the room is left clean.
Also part of the job
Uplift and disposal
Old carpet, vinyl or laminate lifted, and gripper and staples cleared. We take it away and dispose of it responsibly.
Door trimming
Doors eased and rehung where a new floor changes the level, so nothing catches.
Underfloor heating
Floors specified and fitted to work with wet and electric systems, within the manufacturer's temperature limits.
Accessories
Matching scotia, skirting, thresholds, stair nosings and underlay, chosen to suit the floor rather than whatever is in the van.
Supply only
Buying the floor from us and fitting it yourself, or through your own builder, is no problem at all.
Landlord and holiday-let work
Fast turnarounds between changeovers, and hard-wearing specifications that survive a full season.
Not sure which floor you need?
Start with the range that suits the room, or send us a photo and the rough dimensions and we will tell you what we would put down and why.
Questions we are asked
- Do you charge for quotes?
- No. The visit, the measure and the written quote are free, with no obligation and no pressure.
- How far in advance should I book?
- It depends on the time of year, but a few weeks is typical. Get in touch as early as you can, especially if you are working to a kitchen fit or a completion date.
- Do I need to clear the room?
- It helps if you can, but tell us if that is difficult. We can work around furniture in stages, and we will always say what we need moved before the day.
- Will there be much mess?
- Cutting is done outside or in a contained area wherever possible, and we clean up as we go and at the end of each day. You should not be left with a room full of dust and offcuts.
- What if my subfloor turns out to be worse than expected?
- We will stop, show you what we have found and explain the options and the cost before doing anything extra. No work gets done that you have not agreed to.
- Do you fit flooring you have not supplied?
- Sometimes, but we prefer not to. If we did not supply it we cannot vouch for it, and any problem becomes a question of whose fault it is. Ask us and we will be straight with you.
Free measure and quote
Samples brought to your door
Tell us the rooms and roughly the size, and Chris will bring a selection of samples to your home so you can see them in your own light, against your own walls. Measuring and quoting are free.