5 Best Flooring Companies in Santa Rosa, CA

Popular Types of Flooring

There's a flooring material for every design preference and price point. In this section, we'll break down the most common types.

Hardwood Flooring

The appeal of hardwood floors stands the test of time. With shades including walnut, cherry, maple, oak, and more, it can fit any design without sacrificing durability. Despite its allure, hardwood comes with a higher price tag. You also need to follow a consistent refinishing schedule every few years, filling in the gaps with specialty cleaners. The more time you invest in maintenance, the longer your floors will last.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood gives you the charm of hardwood without the strict maintenance. They use a plywood substrate with a layer of real hardwood on top – ultimately cutting your costs. Despite the lower retail cost, it might feel more hollow to walk on, and the slender hardwood layer can only be refinished one time. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it a good investment.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors come in tile and wood finishes, but they all have a particle board base. A strong plastic coating gives them resilience against scratches and simplifies cleaning. However, it's more susceptible to water damage and chipping.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has excellent water and fading resistance and requires minimal upkeep. Popular options include luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), with both having equal strength and long-lasting nature depending on the model you buy. Their price point sits comfortably between wood and laminate.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is another timeless-looking, robust option. Like vinyl, it requires minimal maintenance and is easy to clean. As such, it's an ideal choice for moisture-prone spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. However, it might not work well for living rooms and bedrooms since it's cooler and less grippy to walk on. Pricing varies between styles, with porcelain carrying a higher price tag than ceramic.

Stone Flooring

Granite, marble, sandstone, and travertine aren't just for the outdoors. Inside, they can give you a bold look and unparalleled water resistance. However, like hardwood, it can be expensive and difficult to clean.

Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is made from linseed oil and cork and can last for many years if cared for properly. It’s an economical option with many design possibilities. However, the softer material is easier to damage, and it's known to fade with sunlight exposure. It’s also not suitable for areas with excess moisture like kitchens and bathrooms.

Carpet

Carpet is the most affordable flooring option. It can make a space feel more homey and is great for muffling sound. You don’t have to fret about scratches or dents, and the cushioning makes it a safer choice for young children. However, the fibrous material easily retains stains, moisture, and odors, which isn't ideal for allergy sufferers in Santa Rosa's perennially-high pollen levels.

How to Choose a Santa Rosa Flooring Company

Choosing the right installer makes all the difference for your new floor's longevity. We recommend assessing different companies using the following criteria.

Reputation and Reviews

The most crucial thing to research about any flooring company is its reputation. You can learn more about previous clients' experiences from review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot. Even the most reliable flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how a company handles complaints and interacts with others. If it strives for a satisfactory resolution and acts in good faith, that's a good sign. However, if it's combative or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's advisable to avoid working with it.

Portfolio and References

A reputable flooring company will be excited to show you portfolios of its previous work. Carefully scrutinize each listed project and ask questions as you have them. It's also customary to ask for references from former customers. Once you have their contact information, reach out to ask about their experiences.

Specialization and Services

Look for a business that specializes in the type of flooring you're interested in. For example, a crew might be experienced with carpet but not stone. Equally important is a provider's service offerings. At the very least, it should offer cleanup and haul-away for your old flooring materials. However, if you're feeling lost in all the style, material, and color choices, you can also look for installers with design teams.

Cost

While cost shouldn't be the most important factor when choosing a flooring installer, it's still important to find one that matches your budget. We recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to compare labor costs. You can do this fully online or by requesting complimentary on-site estimates.

Warranties and Guarantees

You should look for two different warranties in your company search. A manufacturer's warranty protects you in case of a product defect, while an installer's warranty covers workmanship. Depending on the installer and flooring brand you pick, warranty coverage could be limited to a fixed term. In other instances, it lasts for the life of the floor. Ask an installer about its warranty terms, including extensions that could give you longer coverage.

Estimated Timeline

Time management is essential for a successful flooring job. Before you agree to work with a company, ask for an estimated timeline and inquire about what hurdles could impact the project. If a company commits to finishing the job by a certain deadline, get that guarantee in writing and communicate your expectations clearly as the work progresses.