Behind the Scenes: What Really Happens During a Professional Flooring Installation

When most people think about flooring installation, they imagine someone simply laying down tiles, vinyl planks, or carpet. But at Preferred Flooring, we know it’s far more than that. True craftsmanship involves a careful process rooted in preparation, precision, and pride—and it's what sets us apart.

As a team certified by the Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), we follow industry-best standards and constantly invest in education to ensure our work reflects the highest level of professionalism. Whether we’re working in a commercial building, healthcare facility, school, or residential home, our process is guided by decades of experience and a deep respect for our trade.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into every Preferred Flooring installation—because a beautiful floor starts long before the first plank is laid.

Project Discovery & Site Evaluation

Every successful installation starts with one thing: understanding the space. During the discovery phase, we walk through your project with you—onsite or through blueprints—to get a clear sense of scope, budget, expectations, and environment.

We look for answers to key questions:

• What is the intended use of the space?

• How much foot traffic will the floor endure?

• Are there temperature or moisture concerns?

• What are the client’s aesthetic and functional goals?

Our team performs a detailed site evaluation to assess the subfloor, measure square footage accurately, identify potential challenges, and plan accordingly. This step is about more than logistics—it’s about laying the groundwork for a flawless installation.

Material Selection With Purpose

We don’t just install what you order—we help ensure you’re ordering what works best for your space.

Our team has hands-on experience with a wide variety of materials including:

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) – Durable, stylish, and ideal for both commercial and residential spaces.

• Carpet Tile – Easy to replace and great for modular spaces like schools and offices.

• Sheet Vinyl – Perfect for healthcare and hospitality environments that require seamless, hygienic surfaces.

• Hardwood – A timeless classic, best suited for areas where environmental control is consistent.

• Rubber Flooring – Often used in fitness and industrial settings for safety and impact resistance.

We educate clients on wear layers, slip resistance, acoustics, sustainability, and long-term maintenance so they can make informed choices that align with both budget and performance goals.

Subfloor Preparation & Moisture Mitigation

This is where many flooring projects go wrong—but not with us.

The condition of your subfloor determines how long your flooring will last and how well it performs. That’s why subfloor preparation is a cornerstone of every Preferred Flooring project. We inspect, level, and repair the substrate as needed and perform moisture testing to prevent costly damage like warping, cupping, or adhesive failure.

We also apply proper primers, moisture barriers, or self-leveling compounds to create a smooth, dry, and durable base—especially important in Michigan’s climate, where humidity and freeze-thaw cycles can wreak havoc on a floor.

Seamless Scheduling & On-Site Coordination

We understand that in both commercial and residential environments, timing is everything. Our team works closely with project managers, general contractors, or homeowners to develop a scheduling plan that keeps your entire project on track.

On multi-trade job sites—like new builds or commercial renovations—our ability to communicate and collaborate is a major asset. We coordinate around other trades, minimize downtime, and ensure the flooring phase flows efficiently with the larger construction schedule.

Our clients choose us because they know they can count on professionalism, punctuality, and adaptability.

Certified Installation: Flooring Done Right

Once everything is prepared and scheduled, it’s time for what we do best—installation.

Our team is made up of certified professionals trained through the CFI (Certified Flooring Installers) program. That means we don’t just know how to install—we know how to install correctly. We follow manufacturer specifications to the letter, use state-of-the-art tools, and apply years of experience to every cut, seam, and transition.

We install with intention and expertise:

• Products are acclimated properly before install.

• Patterns and layouts are planned to reduce waste and maximize visual appeal.

• Adhesives, fasteners, or float systems are selected based on product and subfloor.

• Edges and transitions are clean, safe, and ADA-compliant where needed.

It’s this attention to detail that allows us to say with confidence: “We set the standard.”

Final Walkthrough & Client Education

We don’t roll up the tools and leave the minute the last plank is down. Instead, we perform a comprehensive final walkthrough with our clients to ensure everything is up to standard—both yours and ours.

We:

• Check for gaps, bubbles, or misaligned seams

• Inspect transitions, thresholds, and terminations

• Test for stability and adhesion

• Make sure the job site is clean and ready for use

And perhaps most importantly, we educate our clients on how to care for their new floors. We provide maintenance tips, warranty information, and follow-up support to ensure the investment performs for years to come.

Why This Matters: It’s Not Just About the Floor—It’s About the Foundation of Trust

At Preferred Flooring, our commitment to quality isn’t just about the materials we use—it’s about the people we serve. From the moment we step onsite to the final walk-through, our goal is to make your life easier and your space better.

We’ve earned the trust of clients across West Michigan—from hospitals and schools to general contractors and homeowners—because we believe in doing things the right way, every time.

You don’t just want a floor that looks good today. You want one that still performs a decade from now.

That’s the Preferred difference.

Let’s Build Something That Lasts

Whether you're upgrading your home, managing a large-scale commercial project, or planning a new construction, we're ready to help. Our team brings industry-certified expertise, efficient scheduling, and a passion for precision to every project.

Ready to get started? Contact us at Preferred Flooring.

Want more insights, actionable tips, and real-world stories from industry leaders? Tune in to The Huddle Podcast—where attention to detail and commitment to quality guide everything we do. Listen now at thehuddle.team and join us in our Forward Progress to help you in your flooring career.