Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Chicago, IL

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Chicago?

There are no state or city-specific licenses for flooring contractors in Chicago. However, any flooring contractor who will be involved in a project involving construction, alteration, or repairs in buildings in Chicago must first obtain a general contractor license from the Chicago Department of Buildings. If a flooring contractor performs any work that requires a general contractor license without one, it is considered a violation that carries a fine of up to $5,000.

The Department of Buildings offers five classes of general contractor licenses. The type of license class a flooring contractor applies to will determine the maximum project value they can handle, the activity they can carry out, and the minimum insurance requirements. Interested individuals can obtain a general contractor license in Chicago by submitting the following documents:

• A completed application for a general contractor license form online
• A declaration of financial stability
• Documentation proving the applicant's right to conduct business in Illinois. This is required for all businesses except sole proprietorships.
• A County Clerk Assumed Name Certificate for businesses using a fictitious name.
• Proof of insurance coverage purchased from an insurance company that has a rating of B+ or higher
• Copies of government-issued I.D.

Applicants with all the required documents can mail them to the Chicago Department of Building's Continental Testing Services at:

For more information regarding the licensing process for general contractors in Chicago, you can contact the city's Department of Buildings at:

Before hiring a flooring contractor for your project involving the alteration, construction, or repairs, confirm if they have a general contractor license. You can use the city's list of general contractors with valid licenses to confirm the licensing status of your preferred flooring contractor

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Chicago?

In Chicago, flooring contractors can charge property and homeowners varying rates, either hourly, fixed, or square footage, depending on the type of work they provide. When hiring a contractor, make sure that you confirm the details of their charges before completing the hiring process. Nonetheless, how much you will be charged will be influenced by the following factors:

• The type of flooring material to be installed
• The size of the surface where this flooring material is to be installed
• The scope and nature of the flooring project
• The condition of the surface that requires flooring
• The amount of work required to prepare this surface for the flooring installation
• The labor intensity required for the flooring work

Getting and comparing quotes from multiple contractors can help you determine the average cost of installing new flooring in your area. However, it is important to avoid hiring flooring contractors that have higher or too low rates than the others. Doing so will allow you to avoid getting ripped off.

Flooring contractors in Chicago earn an estimated annual wage of $71,950. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Chicago flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Illinois along with other major cities in the United States:

Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?

In addition to confirming the licensing status of your preferred flooring contractor where required, be sure to check if they have the additional qualifications. Many flooring contractors obtain membership or certification with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) or other reputable trade associations such as:

• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The Professional Flooring Installers Association (PFIA)
• The Home Builders Association of Illinois
• The Building Industry Association of Greater Chicago

These organizations provide a wide range of resources and training opportunities for flooring contractors. Compared to their counterparts, these professionals are more experienced and have access to better insurance and training options. These professionals are also held to high professional standards and must follow a code of conduct regarding their services. Hiring a flooring contractor with additional certification will ensure that your flooring project will be carried out properly and professionally. It also allows you to get mediation in situations where the contractor did not complete the job properly.

When hiring a flooring contractor claiming to belong to any of these trade associations, ensure that you thoroughly check their credentials and that they are registered with the appropriate trade association.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

Due to the amount of traffic that comes through your home, your floor will inevitably get wear and tear. However, certain factors can cause severe damage to your flooring, such as:

• Improper installation
• Lack or improper care and maintenance
• Tracked-in dirt and debris
• Scratches and dents
• Sharp pets nails

Depending on the severity of the issue, it may affect one or more of the following floor cross-sections:

• Floor surface: The surface of your floor is the most frequently visited area in your home. It can get damaged due to various factors such as improper cleaning and sun fading.
• Subfloor: Subfloors are made to support and provide an even surface for your floor. Water-related issues can cause damage to these structures.
• Joists: These boards are located underneath the subfloor and are designed to support the weight of the floor. If you suspect that your home has a damaged joist, it is important that you immediately address the issue.

When hiring a flooring contractor to fix your damaged floor, ensure they are experienced in the area of floor damage they are handling. They should also have the necessary tools to get the job done properly. Also, before they start their work, you should agree on the repair cost before they begin the work.

Here are some of the cost estimates that flooring installers in Chicago can provide for various types of floor repairs:

Estimates based on flooring material per square foot:

Estimates based on type of damage:

Estimates based on repair solution:

Estimates based on floor location:

What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Chicago?

Before starting a flooring project, you should find out what type of flooring services the contractor in Chicago offers. There are a variety of styles and types of flooring that are available to homeowners in the city, including:

• Hardwood flooring: One of the most common types of flooring used in Chicago is hardwood. This material is long-lasting and easy to clean but also prone to scratches. Various types of hardwood flooring are available in the city, such as unfinished, solid, and engineered. Hardwood flooring can be made from various types of woods, such as maple, cherry, oak, walnut, and ash. It can also be made from exotic species such as bamboo, teak, and jarrah.
• Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring is a good alternative for homeowners looking for the same look as hardwood but at a lower price. This material is durable and doesn't require as much care, but it's prone to moisture damage.
• Tile flooring: There are various types of tile flooring that are available in the city, such as ceramic, porcelain, and engineered. This material requires a lot of specialization to ensure that it is laid evenly on both surfaces and has no irregularities.
• Carpet flooring: Two types of carpet floorings are commonly used in homes: natural and synthetic. While both types are eco-friendly, natural fiber carpet flooring is more expensive and complex to clean than synthetic flooring.
• Vinyl flooring: Due to how resilient they are, vinyl flooring is commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens due to its ability to endure moisture and water damage. While these types of flooring are relatively cheap and easy to maintain, they are also hard to repair. There are three main types of this flooring:
• LVT (luxury vinyl tile)
• LVP (luxury vinyl plank)
• Sheet Vinyl

Before hiring a flooring contractor in Chicago, make sure they are highly skilled at installing the type of flooring you're planning to use. Aside from this, the contractor may also provide other services, such as flooring repair and maintenance, so ensure you confirm their level of expertise. Here are some of the cost estimates for various types of flooring services in Chicago:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Your old hardwood floors can be refurbished to give them a more natural look and help maintain the beauty of the original hardwood floors. However, before you start the process, make sure that the terms "floor refacing" and "floor refinishing" are not interchangeable. Refacing involves applying new lacquer and stains to your old hardwood floors while removing the old ones. On the other hand, floor resurfacing is a more labor-intensive process involving the removal of old planks, grinding down uneven ones, and reinforcing them with new nails.

The cost of floor refacing in Chicago typically ranges from around $3 to $8 per square foot. However, this depends on the project's complexity and the area's size that needs to be recovered. While it's possible to do it yourself, hiring a professional flooring contractor is always better to ensure that the job is done properly. In most cases, a professional hardwood floor contractor in Chicago will recommend that you have your floors refinished at least four to six times within the lifespan of your property. However, if you notice any of the following issues, it is essential to consider getting them done right away:

• Signs of fading and discoloration
• Water stains or other impossible-to-remove stains
• Bending downwards from its edges
• Major scratches and dents
• The floorboards are turning gray
• Splinters

You may also be required to replace your hardwood floor in certain situations.

• Done a lot of refinishing.
• Nails are peeking through
• Presence of serious marks and scratches
• Water damage
• The floorboards are creaking or moving.
• The wood has noticeable discoloration.

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

Before you start the process of installing new flooring, it's essential that you know the type of warranty that the flooring contractor will provide. In Chicago, there are two types of warranties that professional flooring contractors typically offer:

• Manufacturer Warranty: This type of warranty covers the entire flooring product you're buying. Although the length of this coverage varies depending on the type of flooring and the manufacturer, most warranty programs have average coverage spans of:
• Carpet: usually covered for 10 – 20 years
• Hardwood: usually covered for at least 25 years
• Vinyl: usually covered for 10 – 20 years
• Laminate: usually covered for 10 – 30 years

• Installation Warranty: This type of warranty covers the work performed by the contractor during the installation process. Usually, professional flooring contractors will provide one-year installation warranties. However, some may also provide extended warranties.

Although these types of warranties are non-transferable, their coverage only covers the original retail buyer of the product. However, certain types of manufacturer warranties can be transferred from the original buyer to a new one who will reside in the home where the product was installed. This type of warranty usually starts once the new owner has taken possession of the property within a stipulated time frame, which typically starts after installing the flooring.

You should find out the type of warranty your flooring contractor will be offering and if it fits into the scope and nature of your project. In addition to the coverage and scope of this warranty, there are certain things you need to do to avoid doing, in order not to void the terms of the warranty, like avoiding:

• Improper installation
• Damages caused by work done by non-approved flooring contractor
• Damages caused by negligence, lack of maintenance, or natural disasters
• Damages caused by improper care of the flooring product used

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Before the floors are used, it's important that the contractor provides the proper post-installation clean-up services. When hiring a flooring contractor in Chicago, you should know who will be responsible for the post-installation clean-up, especially since these jobs tend to be messy and require a lot of debris removal. Before completing the hiring arrangement, this should be included in the service contract between you and the flooring contractor.

In addition to regular cleaning, it's also essential to maintain the newly installed floors in Chicago. Here are some tips to help keep the floors looking their best.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Chicago?

Uninsured flooring contractors can make you liable for any injuries or damages that may occur during your project. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 4,764 fatal work injuries in 2020 in the U.S., with 135 of these injuries occurring in the State of Illinois.

In Chicago, flooring contractors that wish to obtain a general contractor license from the city's Department of Building must provide proof of insurance. The flooring contractor must be purchased from an authorized insurance company in Illinois. The amount the contractor is required to carry depends on the class of license they are carrying. These coverages typically range from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.

To this end, before you hire a flooring contractor in Chicago to carry out your project, it is important that you request proof of their insurance coverage. This will allow you to confirm that they have the necessary policy to cover the risks associated with the work. You should also contact the contractor's insurance provider to ensure that their policy will adequately cover you. You can get more information about the insurance requirements for general contractors by contacting the Chicago Department of Buildings at (312) 744-3449.