Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in New York City, NY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in New York City?

Individuals or businesses wishing to provide construction and remodeling-related services worth $200 or more for any residential structure within New York City are statutorily required to obtain a Home Improvement Contractor License from the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Noncompliance with this licensing requirement is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of both.

Flooring contractors who wish to obtain DCWP-issued licenses may apply to the department online or in person at the following locations:

Note that parties who choose the in-person application option are required to schedule an appointment with their preferred location, either via email or by calling (212) 436-0441, and will also have to submit a Basic License Application Form at this location. All applicants must also comply with certain eligibility requirements before being issued the requested home improvement contractor licenses. These include:

• Passing a DCWP-administered home improvement exam
• Providing proof of compliance with relevant local tax requirements
• Providing proof of acceptable insurance coverage and surety bonding
• Providing proof of their home and business addresses
• Undergoing a background check
• Paying all stipulated fees

Inquiries concerning the requirements and procedures for obtaining a home improvement contractor license from the DCWP can be directed to the department at (212) 639-9675.

It is important to note that flooring contractors are typically required to either register as General Contractors with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) or obtain a Safety Registration Number from this department before they can obtain city-issued permits. This registration process can be initiated online via the DOB: NOW platform, and the department provides a user guide that registrants can use to get step-by-step details on navigating this platform and completing its registration process. Queries related to the DOB's contractor registration process for flooring contractors who wish to obtain city-issued permits can also be directed to the department's Licensing and Exams Unit at (212) 393-2259.

It is always in your best interest to confirm that your intended flooring contractors have been appropriately licensed by the DCWP and also registered with the DOB where necessary before signing any contracts with them. You can do this by utilizing the Citizen Access Portal and the registrant search portal that the DCWP and DOB respectively provide and make accessible to interested members of the public for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in New York City?

Certain key factors generally influence the cost of flooring projects in NYC, and these are:

• The size of the floor surface
• The type of flooring material to be used
• The current condition of the floor surface
• The amount of work needed to prepare the floor surface for the job
• Your location within the city

Note that professional flooring contractors in the city may calculate their charges per hour, per linear foot, per square foot, or type of service provided or use a combination of one or more of these methods. However, by requesting and comparing rates from at least three different flooring contractors in the city, you can get a fair idea of the average cost for your specific type of flooring project and also avoid being scammed by con artists. Look out for rates that are significantly higher or lower than the rest when making this comparison, and never hire any flooring contractor who cannot justifiably explain these noticeable price differences.

Flooring contractors in New York City earn an estimated annual wage of $79,100. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for New York City flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of New York State along with other major cities in the United States:

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

After confirming that your intended flooring contractor has complied with local licensing and registration requirements, you should consider further determining their professionalism and expertise by looking out for additional credentials. These typically include membership or voluntarily-obtained certifications with associations like:

• The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The New York Building Contractors Association (BCA-NY)
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Hiring flooring contractors who are members of or have been certified by these types of associations comes with several benefits that generally result in optimal service delivery. These include:

• These associations typically provide their members with access to continuous training and education opportunities, insurance options, and other industry-related resources, which in turn result in flooring contractors that are usually more experienced than their counterparts
• These associations hold their members to high professional standards and a strict code of ethics and offer consumers an additional avenue for mediation in situations where the flooring contractor behaves unprofessionally or does not do a satisfactory job.

It is important to note that you should always verify any additional professional credentials that your intended flooring contractor claims to hold by requesting proof of this and authenticating it with the appropriate association.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

Given the amount of foot traffic that floors get daily, it is common for your floor to experience relatively minor damages caused by wear and tear. However, certain situations may lead to significant floor damage, such as:

• Improper installation
• Inadequate care and maintenance
• Scratches from pet nails and other sharp objects
• Tracked-in debris

These types of significant damages typically affect one or more of the following key floor cross-sections:

• Floor surface: this is the visible surface of the floor, and it experiences the most traffic. Floor surface damages are usually caused by improper cleaning, scratches and dents, and sun fading.
• Subfloor: this is the part of the floor that is installed underneath the flooring material to support it and keep it even. Subfloor damages are usually caused by water-related issues.
• Joists: joists are boards installed under the subfloor to support the floor's weight and the room above it, making them a critical structural component of most homes. As such, any joist-related issues should be repaired immediately after they are identified.

When looking to repair your damaged floors, it is essential to confirm that the flooring contractor you intend to hire has the appropriate tools and is adequately experienced in handling the specific type of floor damage in question. Also, ensure that you ascertain the cost of the repair job and agree on this before any work commences.

Provided below are cost estimates for different types of floor repair services offered by professional flooring contractors in NYC:

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 New York City?

Asking prospective flooring contractors about the types of flooring they specialize in and the services they offer is an important step to ensure your project is executed satisfactorily. Professional flooring contractors in NYC typically offer several types of flooring services, and these are usually grouped into:

• New flooring installations
• Old flooring removal and replacement
• Flooring repair
• Flooring maintenance

Similarly, some of the most common types of flooring found in NYC homes include:

• Hardwood Flooring: this type of flooring is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and relatively easy to clean. However, they are also susceptible to scratches, especially from pets and furniture. Hardwood floors can be made from readily available wood species like cherry, oak, ash, walnut, maple, bamboo, mahogany, and more exotic species like jarrah, mesquite, and teak. They are also typically available in different types, such as finished hardwood, unfinished hardwood, solid hardwood, and engineered hardwood.
• Tile Flooring: this type of flooring is aesthetically appealing but usually requires expert installation, as it must be laid evenly, on thoroughly level surfaces, and with minimal to no irregularities. Tile flooring comes in several types, including ceramic, porcelain, and engineered tiles.
• Laminate Flooring: this type of flooring is durable, offers the aesthetic appeal of hardwood and tile flooring for a relatively cheaper cost, and is also less prone to scratches than hardwood. However, laminate flooring is also susceptible to moisture damage.
• Carpet Flooring: this type of flooring typically comes in two types: natural fiber and synthetic fiber. Natural fiber carpet flooring is a more eco-friendly option, while synthetic fiber carpet flooring is relatively cheaper, more stain-resistant, and easier to clean.
• Vinyl Flooring: this type of flooring is relatively inexpensive, highly durable, low-maintenance, and resistant to water and moisture damage, making it a common option for kitchens and bathrooms. However, they are also difficult to repair. Vinyl flooring usually comes in three main types: LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and Sheet Vinyl.

To this end, always confirm that the flooring contractor you intend to hire is aptly experienced and equipped to work with your preferred type of flooring and equally provide the specific types of flooring services that you require. Also, make sure that you agree on the cost of the flooring contractor's services and get this in writing before any work commences. Below are cost estimates for common flooring services in NYC:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Refinishing your old hardwood floors is an effective way to renovate them and ensure that they retain their natural beauty. Note that floor refinishing and floor resurfacing refer to two different processes, even though these terms are often used interchangeably. Floor refinishing generally involves applying fresh stain and lacquer to hardwood floor surfaces that have been sanded down, while floor resurfacing is usually a more labor-intensive process that involves grinding down uneven floorboards, replacing old ones, and reinforcing existing planks with new nails.

While it is generally recommended that hardwood floors be refinished every seven to ten years or around four to six times during its life span, you can consider taking this action if you notice that your floor:

• Has major scratches and dents
• Has splinters
• Is bending downwards from its edges
• Is showing signs of discoloration and fading
• Has water stains or other impossible-to-remove stains
• Is turning gray

The cost of refinishing hardwood floors in NYC typically ranges from $3 - $8.50 per square foot, with factors like the size of the floor and the labor intensity of the work affecting the actual price. Even though you can refinish or resurface your hardwood floors yourself, you should always leave these tasks to professional flooring contractors to ensure that the job is done safely and satisfactorily. Note that, in some situations, you may need to replace the hardwood floors. These situations include:

• They have already been refinished multiple times
• Nails are peeking through
• There is water damage or significant damage caused by marks and scratches
• The hardwood is noticeably discolored
• The floorboards are creaking or moving

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

Professional NYC-based flooring contractors usually offer their clients two main types of warranties, namely:

• Manufacturer Warranties: these types of warranties cover the actual flooring material, and their validity periods are mainly dependent on the type of material in question and the product manufacturer. Nevertheless, manufacturer warranties offered in the city typically have the following average validity periods –
  • • Carpet – usually valid for 10 to 20 years
    • Hardwood – usually valid for at least 25 years
    • Vinyl – usually valid for 10 to 20 years
    • Laminate – usually covered for 10 to 30 years

Remember that validity periods for manufacturer warranties are usually less for flooring materials installed for commercial use. Also, these warranties are usually non-transferrable, and the coverage they offer typically only extends to the original homeowner who purchased the product. Nevertheless, some product manufacturers may offer options that allow their warranties to be transferred from one homeowner to another, provided that the new homeowner takes possession of the property where the flooring material is installed within a stipulated timeframe.

• Installation Warranties: these types of warranties cover the actual work done by the flooring contractor, and they usually have a validity period of at least one year

Note that you should always confirm that your prospective flooring contractor offers warranties for their services before signing any contracts with them, and also find out the terms and conditions of the warranties that will be offered to avoid voiding them. In many cases, these floor warranties are voided by the following scenarios:

• Improper installation
• Damages brought on by inappropriate care and maintenance, negligence, or natural disasters
• Damages brought on by work done by unapproved flooring contractors
• Damages brought on by improper use of the installed flooring product

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Flooring projects typically generate a significant amount of debris, particularly for installations done in commercial properties, which are usually larger than residential spaces. As such, you should always make sure that post-installation clean-up services will be included in your service contract when selecting flooring contractors in New York City. Note that these clean-up services should include the proper cleaning of the new floors before they are used.

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

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in New York City?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, installation, maintenance, and repair workers accounted for approximately seven percent of the work-related deaths that were reported in NYC in 2020. Hiring an uninsured flooring contractor to install or fix your floors makes you liable for any injuries that may be incurred during the project and also exposes you to financial liabilities from work-related property damage and unfinished work.

Note that NYC-based flooring contractors are typically required to meet certain financial obligations before either obtaining contractor licenses from the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) or registering with its Department of Buildings (DOB). These include:

• Enrolling in the DCWP Trust Fund or posting a surety bond of $20,000
• Carrying workers' compensation and disability insurance coverage
• Maintaining general liability insurance with a minimum limit of $1,000,000

As such, always request copies of your intended flooring contractor's insurance and bond certificates and authenticate these certificates with the appropriate issuing organizations before the contractor starts any work. Also, verify that the contractor's liability coverage will be adequate for the scope of your project.

You can get additional information concerning the mandatory financial obligations that NYC-based flooring contractors must comply with by reaching out to the city's DCWP and the DOB at (212) 639-9675 and (212) 566-5000, respectively.