We understand that with so many options available on the market, it is absolutely difficult to find reliable flooring contractors. Many seem to be reliable, but in actuality, they are just convincing to take money from you. You are probably looking for a contractor; that’s why you are here. Many homeowners and businesses regret getting work that does not end up as they were shown in the first place.
Every person should be well aware of these 5 factors when hiring a contractor in the UAE. This blog guides you to avoid any of these mistakes that most people have made and regret their choice of poor flooring contractor service.
Crucial Factors to Notice When Hiring Flooring Contractors
Here, we have compiled some factors that you must consider before hiring a flooring contractor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Factor 1: Experience and Expertise
A person’s previous experience and expertise do matter, regardless of his profession. Flooring is not a thing that anyone can come and play around with. A contractor who shows you a proven track record can have much more to offer than a newbie in this field. He could avoid common mistakes and deliver the results you want.
You must look for contractors with:
- Certifications: This is a must-have. Only reliable contractors have real certifications from a professional organization that works in the UAE, such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
- Years of experience: The older in flooring, the more plus points they earn. A contractor with several years of experience in the industry is more likely to have the real skills to face various unwanted hurdles.
- Specialized skills: You must talk with them if the project requires specific skills, such as hardwood floor refinishing, tile installation, or carpet laying.
Factor 2: Licensing and Insurance
Ignoring this crucial factor could be your most expensive mistake when hiring a flooring contractor. It seems like a simple one, but there are some strings attached to it that are hard to afford. A contractor’s job is to come and do what he has been hired for. But during the procedure, some workers could make a mistake, like hitting the floor hard near the water pipe unintentionally, which you know would end up damaging your floor in the long run.
A licensed contractor follows industry standards and regulations and offers insurance for your floor. In case something goes wrong, your investment coverage safeguards you against potential damage. You must be at peace by knowing that your contractor is licensed and insured.
How to verify:
- Check with local authorities: To verify whether a contractor’s credentials are legit, contact the relevant licensing board in UAE.
- Proof of insurance: Your contractor’s general liability and workers’ insurance certificates are the documents you must ask for.
- Verify coverage: You must ensure that the insurance coverage perfectly aligns with the requirements of your project.
Factor 3: Portfolio and References
Generally speaking, a portfolio is a straight-up representation of someone’s work and experience. To better estimate your flooring contractor’s expertise, you must ask him for references or case studies of similar projects he has completed for others. It helps you to separate the quality ones from those who don’t even know their stuff properly.
You must only look for a portfolio that showcases a variety of projects, including:
- Similar projects: You must look for residential projects if you have plans to fix your home’s flooring, or consider commercial projects if you look for a flooring service in your office space.
- Different flooring types: A portfolio with multiple references, silently shows that this contractor has no issue in dealing with problems related to flooring materials, such as wooden flooring, tile, carpet, SPC Flooring, etc.
- High-quality labor: When analyzing the portfolio, you must observe the overall quality of the projects, including finishes and transitions.
- Requesting references: Asking for references from previous clients is a plus. This allows you to contact these references and get firsthand feedback on their experience working with this contractor.
Red Flags:
Be cautious of contractors who:
- Refuse to provide references.
- Have a limited portfolio.
- Use low-quality materials.
Factor 4: Communication and Customer Service
Always look for a contractor who values your time. Straight and clear communications are essential for a successful flooring project. A reputable contractor will not leave you with a single doubt throughout the process, from the first talk to project completion.
Only look for a contractor who:
- Is responsive: Picks up your call and replies to emails quickly.
- Is professional: Communicates politely and respectfully.
- Is transparent: Provides honest answers to your questions.
- Is flexible: Is willing to accommodate your needs and preferences.
Factor 5: Pricing and Estimates
No matter how rich you are, this is the factor you just can’t neglect. As you are well aware of UAE’s growing real estate market, hiring the first contract that comes your way is unacceptable without doing proper research.
Well, if you want to, you can, but this way, things are highly likely to go wrong.
To obtain a detailed written estimate, you must at least consider 2 to 3 trusted contractors to do your flooring. This will help you compare prices and get different insights from different contractors.
Your comprehensive estimate should include:
- Cost breakdown: Before starting, the cost of materials, labor, and any additional services must be clear.
- Payment terms: A significant upfront cost or any other deposit requirements.
- Timeline: A clear projected timeline must be provided.
- Warranties: Any warranties or guarantees offered by the contractor.
Hidden costs: Make sure you talk about the following before hiring, these include:
- Permits and inspections: A fee for obtaining necessary permits and inspections.
- Disposal fees: The cost of disposing of your old flooring materials.
- Subcontractors: A fee for subcontractors who may get involved later in your project.
Additional tips:
- Get multiple quotes.
- Ask about financing options.
- Beware of excessively low bids.
This is kind of an awareness guide for you, as we’ve had people complain to us they get fooled by unreliable contractors in the UAE. Yes, they seem authentic and have given their floor an exact look as promised, but a few years later, they regret choosing that specific contractor due to the material they used while fixing their floor.
However, they had to get their floor done again by us, as our company, Fixit Flooring, provides the best flooring service in UAE.
Final Words
To keep yourself safe from betrayal, we’ve written these 5 specific factors as a helping guide for you to find the best flooring contractors in the UAE. We advise you not to be a lone wolf and try to navigate all by yourself.
