What we look for under your old floor

A subfloor panel that flexes underfoot has usually taken on water at some point. It gets cut out and replaced. Left alone, it telegraphs through a new floor and eventually fails again.

Most squeaks come from a subfloor moving against a joist or a nail working loose. With the old covering off, screwing the subfloor down to the joists is quick and it is the only moment in a decade when it is easy. Ask for it while the floor is open.

Manufacturers specify a flatness tolerance across a given span. Where the floor is out of tolerance, leveling compound or sanding brings it in. Skipping that step is the most common cause of hollow-sounding spots and failing seams.

On concrete, moisture has to be assessed before covering the slab. On wood, staining and a musty smell are the tells. Water gets addressed at the source, not covered up.

Concealed conditions are the one thing that can change your total. We stop, show you the condition, price the fix in writing, and wait for written approval before continuing. No work you did not approve appears on an invoice.