There is no way I can install my own flooring! I could probably pull my own tooth more easily! I would appreciate advice on what specific things I should ask be included in my hardwood installation quote. I guess what I'm looking for is an exhaustive list of the most common things that should be included in the quote as well as those things that may sneak up and cost me more money once the installation begins. Thanks!

I would always request an "out the door" quote from start to finish.

Always include prep work, clean-up, carpet removal, installation of product, shoe moulding, trim pieces, etc, etc.

Just asking them to complete everything 100% and see where you stand.

Hopefully the proposal will be very specific on the services they are going to provide. It may not be broke down to a line item charge.

Then ask them, what there proposal does not include(unless the were specific enough to include that with their proposal.

I specify in my estimate/proposals exactly what I will do, what materials I will supply (including type, species, grade and brand name) and what my price includes ( all labor, shipping fees, taxes, materials, etc.) Then I specify items I am NOT including like furniture moving, painting and the like. Then I also say that my proposal does not include certain items that MAYBE needed or necessary ( like subfloor repairs, additional floor prep, dry rot repairs, on grade vapor retarders, and so on ) This way, the customer can compare apples to apples. Typically, the only questions my customers will have is, "When can you start?"

This is a sample of one of my bids. The customer appreciated it enough to hire us.

January 5, 2008


Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner
1212 Nice Home
Big Town, WA 99999
(555) 555 - 1212

Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner,

Thank you for the opportunity to assist with the improvements to your home. I hope to make this a simple and effective change for you. I’ll write a bid for both the abrade and finish; the “full sand and finish”; a bid for stairs; and a recoat in the upper hall.

The overall appearance of the floor is encouraging. Most customers allow their floors to deteriorate to the point that it is absolutely necessary to resand to recover the beauty of their wood floors. Your floors are in decent condition. I expect that with a recoat of finish the scratches in the finish would disappear, and the appearance of the deeper scratches in the wood should be improved. However, it is not my expectation that areas with staining present will disappear, nor will this eliminate the difference in colors between the previously installed floor and the existing recoated floor.

Sand & Finish the Kitchen - Recoat the Hall, and Dining Room
MB Flooring will remove and replace the baseboards; remove and replace the appliances; sand, fill, stain, and finish the kitchen with 3 coats of Traffic™; prep the floor in the hall and dining room using Bona Prep solution and apply 2 coats of Bona Traffic™ Floor Finish. - $3,121.30

Sand & Finish Main Floor
MB Flooring will remove and replace the baseboards; remove and replace the appliances; sand, fill, stain, and finish the floor with 3 coats of Traffic™. - $4,963.40

Sand & Finish Stairs
MB Flooring will clean the risers; sand, stain, and finish the star treads. - $1,379.55

Recoat Upstairs Hall
MB Flooring will prep the floor in the hall using Bona Prep solution and apply 2 coats of Bona Traffic™ Floor Finish. - $600.51

MB Flooring uses the Bona Prep solution which is the best at cleaning and preparing the finish of the existing floor for subsequent coats of finish. However, contamination by maintenance products, used on the floor and/or surrounding furniture might still cause bond failure, a complete sand and finish is the only remedy that will work. In this case MB Flooring will apply $400.00 toward the difference of the complete sand and finish cost and the initial attempt to merely recoat the dining room and hall.

Payment of 25% will secure a schedule date, a second payment of 25% is due upon commencement of the work and the final 50% is due upon completion This bid is based upon regular weekday hours and includes all freight and sales tax. All areas to receive floor work must be free and clear of all items. The floor may be walked on, socks only, in as soon as three hours after coating with finish. The finish will be 75% cured 24 hours and 90% cured after 72 hours. The floor will be 100% cured after one week.

If there are any questions or concerns please give me a call.


Thank you,


Matt Barker