A flooring installation goes faster, smoother, and with far fewer surprises when a home is properly prepped before the crew arrives. Most of what needs to happen falls on us: measuring, ordering materials, prepping the subfloor. But there's a shorter list of things that fall on you as the homeowner, and getting those handled ahead of time can shave real hours off your project timeline.

Here's exactly what to do, broken down by how close you are to installation day.

One to Two Weeks Before

This is the window for the bigger logistical decisions. Confirm your final material selection and installation date with your flooring team, and ask directly what they'll need from you versus what's included in their process. At Perez Flooring, our crews handle old floor removal and disposal as part of the project, so you generally don't need to arrange separate demolition or hauling.

If you have pets, this is a good time to start thinking through where they'll stay during the project. Installation involves tools, open doorways, and strangers moving through the house all day, which is stressful for most animals and genuinely unsafe if a door gets left open at the wrong moment.

A Few Days Before

Start clearing the rooms that are getting new flooring. Small items (lamps, decor, plants, anything on shelves or side tables) should be boxed up or moved to a room that isn't part of the project. Larger furniture is where it's worth confirming with your installer what they'll move for you and what you're responsible for. Many crews, ours included, will move standard furniture as part of the job, but items like pianos, waterbeds, or large built-in units usually need separate arrangements.

Take down any wall art, mirrors, or curtains in the work area too. Sanding and demolition create vibration that can knock things loose even from adjacent walls.

If your home has an older subfloor and you've noticed squeaks, soft spots, or visible unevenness, mention it now rather than the day of. It gives your installer time to plan for subfloor leveling or repair as part of the project instead of discovering it mid-installation and needing to pause.

The Day Before

Clear a path from the front door (or wherever materials will be brought in) to the work area. Installation crews are moving flooring materials, tools, and often old flooring debris in and out repeatedly throughout the day, and a clear path keeps things moving.

Set aside a room or area unaffected by the project where your family can comfortably spend the day, especially if you're having flooring installed throughout most of the home. If you work from home, plan for a noisier-than-usual day and consider whether you need to work elsewhere.

Finally, confirm parking. Installation vehicles, material deliveries, and dumpsters (for larger removal projects) need reasonable access, so clear driveway space or let your crew know about any parking restrictions on your street ahead of time.

Installation Day Itself

Plan to be available at the start of the day for a quick walkthrough, even if you won't be home the whole time. This is when any last questions about layout, transitions between rooms, or baseboard and trim preferences get confirmed before work begins.

Keep pets secured away from the work area for the full day, not just during the loudest parts. Open doors and unfamiliar tools are enough to spook even calm animals. If you have young kids, the work zone should be treated like a construction site: no walking through it while tools and materials are out.

Expect noise, some dust despite containment efforts, and crew members moving through common areas like hallways and entryways throughout the day.

Caring for Your New Floors the First Few Days

Most flooring types have a short adjustment period. Adhesives and finishes need time to fully cure, so avoid heavy furniture, area rugs, and excessive foot traffic for the timeframe your installer recommends, typically 24 to 48 hours for most materials.

Hold off on a full wet mop for at least a few days, and check with your installer about the right cleaning products for your specific material. What works on tile can damage hardwood finishes, and vice versa.

If anything looks off once the project wraps, a squeak that wasn't addressed, a transition strip that feels loose, a spot that catches your eye, say something within the first week or two. Most flooring companies, ours included, want to know quickly so it can be corrected while the project is still fresh rather than months down the line.

Not sure whether your home needs anything beyond the basics before your installation? That's a normal part of the conversation during your free in-home estimate, where we can walk your specific space and flag anything worth planning for ahead of time. Browse our full range of services to see everything we handle as part of a project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get a free in-home estimate, and we'll walk you through exactly what to expect before, during, and after installation.