5 Best Flooring Companies in Lawrence, MA

If you're one of the many Lawrence homeowners with little ones, you might be thinking about a new floor that can resist spills and stand up to after-school hijinks. With a reliable builder by your side, you'll feel more confident choosing materials and designs. Begin your flooring company search with these Lawrence, MA providers.

Popular Types of Flooring

Whether you're looking for something subtle and elegant or lively and bold, there's a floor for you. Discover the most essential details about each type to guide your decision making.

Hardwood Flooring

Homebuyers across Lawrence seek out hardwood flooring for its beauty and durability. It's available in several varieties to accommodate different designs, from cherry and walnut to oak and maple. However, it's among the priciest of flooring materials and requires consistent maintenance. At a minimum, you'll need to use specialty cleaning products regularly and restore its finish every few years. Since it's susceptible to water damage, it's also not suitable for basements, laundry rooms, or bathrooms.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood offers you the durability and look of hardwood without the extra maintenance. Typically, it consists of a layer of real hardwood fused with a plywood substrate. Despite the lower retail cost, it might sound more hollow to walk on, and the thin hardwood layer can only be refinished once. That said, its lower propensity to warp could still make it a good investment.

Laminate Flooring

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

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has superior moisture 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 longevity depending on the model you buy. The price for installing vinyl flooring sits comfortably between wood and laminate.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is excellent for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas. It offers years of life with low upkeep requirements, and is available in many patterns, materials, and colors. However, it requires intensive prep work before installation and can be cool and slippery to walk on. Pricing depends on the material you pick, with porcelain being more expensive than ceramic.

Stone Flooring

Granite, sandstone, marble, 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 cork and linseed oil and can endure for decades 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 sun 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 comfortable and is great for muffling sound. You don’t have to be concerned with scratches or dents, and the cushioning makes it a safer choice for babies and toddlers. However, the fibrous material easily retains odors, moisture, and stains, which isn't ideal for pet owners or allergy sufferers.

How to Choose a Lawrence Flooring Company

Choosing a flooring company is just as significant as choosing a design. To ensure you get the most value, consider each of the following criteria.

Reputation and Reviews

The first thing to note is whether a company is known for good service and high-quality work. You can learn more about previous clients' experiences from review sites like Yelp, Google, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Even the best flooring installers will have both positive and negative reviews. Look for how a provider deals with 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 argumentative or has a high negative-to-positive review ratio, it's wise to avoid working with it.

Portfolio and References

Most floor installers keep portfolios of their proudest projects. We recommend requesting a copy so you can look over the crew's workmanship. It's also customary to ask for references from previous customers. Once you have their contact information, contact them to ask about their experiences.

Specialization and Services

Look for a company that specializes in the type of flooring you're interested in. For example, a crew might be experienced with carpet but not tile. A contractor's service offerings can also make a difference. At the very least, you should choose a provider that offers to haul away your old flooring materials. However, installers can also offer refinishing services or design advisory.

Cost

While price shouldn't be the most important factor when choosing a flooring company, it's still important to find one that matches your budget. We recommend getting quotes from three to five companies to compare prices. You can do this fully online or by requesting free in-home estimates.

Warranties and Guarantees

Flooring services typically come with a pair of warranties. The first one, issued by the manufacturer, covers the materials. The other covers the installation company's workmanship. While some manufacturers and contractors have lifetime warranties, most are still tied to a specific time period (often ten years.) If you'd like additional coverage, you might be able to pay extra for an extended warranty.

Estimated Timeline

You don't want your flooring work to last longer than needed. Get an estimated timeline up-front and ask about potential delays. Communicate your expectations clearly and secure any guarantees in writing.

Other Flooring Resources

• Best Flooring for Kitchens
• Best Laminate Flooring
• What Is the Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Sources

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics