Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Seattle, WA

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

Washington State requires all construction contractors, including flooring contractors in Seattle, to register with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Once registered, the flooring contractor can bid and perform all kinds of floor maintenance installation, repair, and replacement jobs. It is a gross misdemeanor to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform any work as a flooring contractor without being registered. Parties guilty of this misdemeanor shall be prosecuted in the county where the infraction occurred.

To avoid prosecution, anyone wishing to work as a flooring contractor in Seattle must meet specific requirements and complete the flooring contractor registration process. Interested persons must first register their business with the Department of Revenue, purchase a general liability insurance policy, get a surety bond or an assignment of savings, complete an application for specialty contractor registration, and pay the appropriate application fee.

Flooring contractor registration applications can be submitted in person or via mail. The applicant must visit the nearest Washington State Department of Labor and Industries office to apply in person.

The applicant must carry documents showing a business structure and name, a $6,000 Washington specialty contractor continuous surety bond, insurance in the amount of $250,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage or a combined single limit of $250,000, and a completed application for contractor registration form with notarized signatures, as well as the appropriate registration fee.

Applicants in Seattle can complete their contractor registration application in person at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries office at:

Alternatively, applicants can also mail a completed, signed, and notarized application for contractor registration form alongside a continuous contractor surety bond or assignment of savings, certificate of general liability insurance, and check or money order payable to the Department of Labor to:

It is important to note that mailing applications may take up to four weeks to process. However, applicants who have met the requirements for registration with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries should be assured that their registration will be confirmed eventually.

Successful applicants can check their name and business on the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson, or Business tool. Likewise, homeowners can confirm whether their preferred flooring contractor's name and business are listed on this tool. Homeowners can confirm a flooring contractor registration status using the individual's name, Washington UBI number, or even trade license number.

Interested persons can contact the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries via email or (360) 902-5226 for more information concerning a contractor's process, requirements, and registration status.

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

The cost of flooring services in Seattle is typically dependent on a variety of factors, including:

• The condition of the surface to be worked on
• The type of flooring material to be installed
• The size of the surface where this flooring material is to be installed
• The amount of work required to complete the project

After considering the aforementioned factors and determining the actual cost of a flooring project, flooring contractors will decide the best billing method to use for the project. Flooring contractors in Seattle charge home and property owners by hour, fixed-rate, square footage, or linear footage rates. As a homeowner, you must confirm the billing method your preferred flooring contractor intends to use before signing any agreement with them.

Before signing any agreement with a flooring contractor in Seattle, homeowners should also get and compare estimates for the same project from at least three different contractors in the city. This will help homeowners get a fair price for the service and ensure that they do not fall victim to contractor scams.

Flooring contractors in Seattle earn an estimated annual wage of $49,270. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Seattle flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Washington along with other major cities in the United States:

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

In addition to registering as a flooring contractor with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, reputable flooring contractors in Seattle may obtain additional qualifications such as membership or certification with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) or other reputable trade associations like:

• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The Associated General Contractor of America
• The Building Industry Association of Washington

Before hiring a flooring contractor in the city, it is critical to find out if the individual you wish to hire is a member of or certified by any trade association. Hiring a flooring contractor that belongs to a trade association has several benefits.

Firstly, flooring contractors that belong to or have been certified by these associations are experienced and conversant with the new trends in the trade. Also, these contractors are more likely to perform their work professionally and are less likely to engage in fraudulent activities. In addition, homeowners can expect mediation by the trade association these contractors belong to if the job is not completed to their satisfaction.

Nonetheless, homeowners should keep in mind that dishonest contractors claim to be members of different trade associations across the state. As a result, verifying any claims of trade association membership or certification made by flooring contractors is critical. Homeowners should always validate proof of membership or certification provided by the flooring contractor they wish to hire with the trade association involved.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

When properly installed and maintained, most floors can last a decade or more without needing repairs. Improper installation and a lack of floor maintenance are the two key factors that affect the durability and strength of a floor by exposing it to serious damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, Seattle home and property owners can request floor repairs or floor replacements. Common signs that a floor needs repair include:

• The floor has an unusual smell.
• Floor buckling
• A squeaky noise is coming from the floorboard
• The floor has an uneven or cracked surface
• There are obvious holes in the floor
• Floor cupping

Seattle flooring contractors may perform a repair on one or more of the following key floor cross-sections:

• Floor surface: a floor surface is made up of the topmost covering of a floor structure, and most homeowners prefer to use either carpet, vinyl, tile, laminate, or hardwood to cover their floor structure. This part of a floor can get damaged due to poor maintenance, scratches and dents, and sun fading.
• Subfloor: this subfloor generally includes materials that are installed underneath the floor surface to make it even. Water-related issues are usually the leading causes of damage to subfloors.
• Joists: joists are made up of boards installed underneath the subfloor to support the weight of the floor and the room above them. Any damage to these parts of the floor structure should not be overlooked or ignored.

Each floor has its unique features; as such, homeowners should ensure that the flooring contractor they wish to hire is experienced in dealing with the specific type of floor damage in question. Homeowners should also ensure that the contractor has all of the necessary tools to complete the job correctly. It is also essential to determine the average market price for the service they will receive before signing any agreement with the contractor.

Listed below are cost estimates for various types of floor repair services offered by professional flooring contractors in Seattle:

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 Seattle?

Seattle floor installers offer different kinds of flooring services to members of the public. These services include:

• Hardwood flooring: This flooring is made from a variety of woods, such as oak, pine, maple, fir, birch, cherry, beech, and even bamboo. Wood can be cut into various sizes and shapes to create strips, planks, or wood tiles, which are then laid out in geometric patterns. Hardwood flooring is popular due to its high return on investment, durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. Hardwood floors, however, are more prone to scratches and moisture damage than other types of flooring.
• Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that resembles wood or stone flooring. This flooring is popular because it is a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring and is resistant to stains, impacts, and scratches. However, because it is not moisture-proof, this type of flooring is not suitable as hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries.
• Tile flooring: This type of flooring is made using materials like ceramic, porcelain, and engineered tiles. Since these materials require a great deal of specialization, homeowners should always hire an experienced flooring contractor to fix this type of floor.
• Carpet flooring: carpet flooring is the use of fiber made from natural or synthetic materials or a blend of natural/synthetic materials as floor covering. This type of flooring comes in a variety of styles, patterns, and colors, and they absorb sound and aid insulation in the room. However, carpet flooring is more expensive, less stain-resistant, and challenging to clean.
• Vinyl flooring: Vinyl is a highly water-resistant synthetic flooring material that is easy to maintain. Vinyl flooring is mainly used in areas like kitchens and bathrooms, and they do not cost so much to install. There are three main types of vinyl flooring:
  • LVT (luxury vinyl tile),
  • LVP (luxury vinyl plank),
  • Sheet Vinyl.

When searching for a flooring contractor near you, it is critical to confirm that the individual you want to hire specializes in installing and repairing the type of flooring you want. Also, you should get and compare estimates for the service you need from at least three flooring contractors in the city. Listed below are cost estimates for common flooring services in Seattle:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

A floor refinishing service in Seattle typically costs between $2 and $7 per square foot. However, the cost of hiring a flooring contractor will differ from one homeowner to the next, depending on the work's complexity and the floor size that needs refinished. Furthermore, the cost of a floor refinishing service may vary depending on why the service was requested in the first place. A homeowner may request refinishing services for a variety of reasons, including:

• The floor has been damaged by water
• The floorboards are turning gray
• The floor has splinters
• The floor has significant scratches, dents, or gouges
• The floor is showing signs of discoloration
• The floor has stains that are difficult to remove

Refinishing your hardwood floor not only gives the floor a completely new look but also increases the longevity of your flooring. Floor refinishing increases the longevity of your hardwood floor by sanding down the uppermost surface to remove the grimy finish and even out worn areas and then applying fresh stain and lacquer to enhance the beauty of the floor and protect it from wear and tear. While hiring the service of a professional to refinish your floor, it is wrong to assume that any flooring contractor can perform sanding expertly. Professional floor sanders in Seattle specialize in providing expert floor sanding services and answer all sanding-services-related questions.

Given that hardwood floors can be sanded four to six times in their lifetime, professional floor sanders recommend that a hardwood floor be refinished at least once every seven to ten years. Remember that no matter how often you sand your floor, a refinishing service will not always solve the problem. Sometimes, what you have to do is to replace the entire floor covering.

You should consider replacing the entire floor covering in the following situations:

• The floor has been refinished several times
• There are nails peeking through
• It has a lot of serious marks and scratches
• There is water damage
• The floorboards are creaking or moving

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

Reputable flooring contractors in Seattle offer two main types of warranties, namely:

• Manufacturer Warranty: this type of warranty covers the flooring product used for the project, and the scope of the coverage varies based on the type of product involved and the manufacturer of the product. Most manufacturer warranties have average coverage durations of 10 to 20 years for vinyl and carpets, at least 25 years for hardwood, and 10 to 30 years for laminate.

Note that manufacturer warranties are non-transferable, and their coverage only extends to the original retail purchaser of the product.

• Installation Warranty: this type of warranty covers the installation job performed by the contractor. Most Seattle flooring contractors offer one-year installation warranties.

Before signing any agreement with a flooring contractor, discussing the type of flooring warranty being offered to you is critical. You should also find out the terms and scope of these warranties to avoid taking any action that can void the warranty. Flooring warranties are voided by specific actions. Some of these actions include:

• Improper or non-professional 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 use of the flooring product

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

During the installation of a new floor, airborne particles and significant amounts of debris can find their way to the floor surface or other parts of the room, leaving the room very dirty and in need of proper cleaning. Before using a floor, homeowners must ensure that the installed floors and the entire room have been appropriately cleaned. As such, homeowners may enquire if the contractor will clean up as part of the contract. Otherwise, you may need to make an alternative provision for cleaning after installation. 

When choosing a flooring contractor in Seattle, always find out whether the contractor offers post-floor installation clean-up service and make sure it is included in the service contract.

Listed below are tips for the proper cleaning and maintenance of different types of newly installed floors in Seattle:

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

Flooring contractors in Seattle are required to carry liability insurance and a contractor surety bond to protect customers from potential damages or injuries that may occur during a flooring project. The insurance shall be valued at $250,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a combined single limit of $250,000, while the contractor's continuous surety bond shall be valued at $6,000.

Failure to meet the above-mentioned insurance requirement will prevent the contractor from getting the necessary state-issued flooring contractor registration certificate from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Homeowners should be wary of flooring contractors refusing to provide insurance proof. Most of the time, these contractors are neither insured nor registered as flooring contractors in the state.

Reputable flooring contractors maintain insurance policies because they know that flooring projects often expose them to several on-the-job hazards. Some of these on-the-job hazards include:

• Injuries from flying debris and falling objects
• Exposure to noise
• Exposure to machines
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Cuts, tears, and lacerations from tools and sharp objects on work sites

Given the number of on-the-job hazards that flooring contractors face, it is no surprise that the Washington construction industry had the most fatalities in 2020, with a total of 21 cases. Falls, slips, and trips were responsible for 8 of the industry's 21 fatalities.

Seattle homeowners should always confirm that their preferred contractor has valid general liability insurance. Homeowners can confirm a prospective contractor's insurance status by requesting copies of their contractor bond and insurance certificate and verifying the certificates with the appropriate organizations. Homeowners can also contact the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries via email or by calling (360) 902-5226 to confirm whether a contractor's insurance certificate and bond is registered with them.