Before Installation Day
Flooring pre-installation checklist.
A simple guide to help your home get ready before carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, waterproof flooring, or refinishing work begins.
Helpful Flooring Guides
Find the right floor by room, lifestyle, and need.
Start with the way your home is used, then compare products that fit.
Universal Guide
A better installation starts before the crew arrives.
Most flooring projects share the same basic preparation: clear personal items, protect valuables, prepare access, secure pets, and understand what is included in the written project scope.
Moves standard furniture
Royal can move standard furniture when it is included in your written project scope.
Removes existing flooring when included
Old carpet, pad, laminate, vinyl, or other flooring removal is handled when it is part of the estimate.
Reviews the subfloor
The crew reviews the work area and subfloor conditions so the installation can start correctly.
Installs and cleans up
Royal completes the flooring installation details, cleanup, and final walkthrough for the project.
Customer Checklist
What to do before installation day.
These simple steps help protect your belongings and allow the crew to focus on the flooring work.
Clear small items
Remove shoes, toys, lamps, books, decor, clothing, loose items, and anything sitting on the floor.
Move valuables and breakables
Glass, collectibles, jewelry, photos, mirrors, fragile decor, and sentimental items should be moved before the crew arrives.
Disconnect electronics
Disconnect TVs, computers, gaming systems, speakers, routers, chargers, and loose wiring from work areas.
Empty closet floors and low shelves
If flooring is going into closets, pantries, or storage areas, remove boxes, shoes, bins, baskets, and floor-level items.
Secure pets and children
Keep pets and children away from work areas, tools, adhesives, tack strips, flooring materials, and installation traffic.
Prepare access
Clear driveway, parking, walkways, elevators, gates, hallways, and room access so the crew can move materials safely.
Furniture + Access
Royal can move standard furniture, but personal items should be cleared first.
Before installation day, remove small loose items, fragile decor, electronics, valuables, and anything that could be damaged or misplaced. Standard furniture moving is handled only when it is included in your project scope.
- Clear floors, closet floors, tabletops, and walkways
- Remove valuables, fragile items, electronics, and loose wiring
- Discuss oversized or specialty items before installation day
Removal + Subfloor
Existing floor removal and subfloor prep depend on your written estimate.
Some projects include old flooring removal, haul away, subfloor review, floor preparation, or trim details. The exact scope depends on your product, existing flooring, site conditions, and written estimate.
- Existing flooring removal when included
- Subfloor cleaning, review, and preparation guidance
- Product-specific needs for carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or refinishing
Install Day
Installation day goes smoother when the home is ready.
Clear access, have an adult present, keep pets and children away, and make sure the crew can reach the rooms, materials, driveway, elevators, and stairs needed for the project.
- One adult 18 or older should be present
- Keep work areas clear and safe
- Review final questions with the crew before work begins
Product Notes
Different floors can need different preparation.
The general checklist applies to every project, but carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, waterproof flooring, and refinishing each have details that should be reviewed before work begins.
Clear rooms, closet floors, electronics, fragile items, and walkways. Old carpet and pad removal must be included in the written scope.
Site conditions, moisture, acclimation, subfloor condition, trim, doors, furniture, and access can all affect hardwood installation.
Laminate is a floating floor, so the subfloor must be clean, stable, and ready for proper expansion space and locking-system performance.
Waterproof vinyl still needs proper prep. Uneven areas, debris, old flooring, or poor subfloor conditions can affect the finished result.
Waterproof does not mean the installation can ignore subfloor, expansion, transitions, doors, appliances, or manufacturer requirements.
Refinishing requires stronger preparation: remove furniture, protect belongings, plan for odor, drying time, pets, rugs, and furniture return.
Discuss Ahead Of Time
Specialty items should be planned before installation day.
Large, fragile, mechanical, or unusually heavy items may need special handling. Tell Royal before installation day so the project can be scheduled correctly.
Pianos
Heavy musical instruments should be discussed before installation day.
Pool tables
Large game tables usually need specialty moving or preparation.
Safes
Safes are heavy and may need special handling before flooring work.
Aquariums
Aquariums should be safely moved or handled before the crew arrives.
Appliances
Large appliances, toilets, laundry units, and refrigerators should be discussed before installation.
Adjustable beds
Adjustable beds and mechanical bases may need special preparation.
Antiques
Antique, fragile, or high-value furniture should be moved carefully ahead of time.
Oversized entertainment centers
Large wall units and media centers should be discussed before installation.
Day Of Installation
What to expect when the crew arrives.
The best installation days are organized, accessible, and clear. A little preparation helps reduce delays and protects your home.
One adult 18+ must be present
An adult must be home to provide access, review work areas, and answer questions.
Installation time can vary
Timing depends on square footage, furniture, stairs, closets, removal, prep, layout, product, and site conditions.
Access matters
Clear parking, walkways, elevators, gates, stairs, and room access help the crew work efficiently.
Pre-Installation Questions
Quick answers before your flooring project starts.
The written estimate controls the final scope, but these answers help you understand the most common preparation steps.
Is this checklist only for carpet installation?
No. This guide applies to most Royal Home Flooring projects, including carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl plank, waterproof flooring, and hardwood refinishing. Product-specific details may vary.
Does Royal move furniture before installation?
Royal can move standard furniture when furniture moving is included in the written project scope. Specialty items, fragile items, electronics, valuables, safes, pianos, aquariums, and oversized items should be discussed before installation day.
Do I need to remove everything from the room?
You should remove small items, fragile items, valuables, loose items, electronics, closet floor items, and anything personal or breakable before the crew arrives.
Will Royal remove my old flooring?
Old flooring removal is handled when it is included in your written estimate. The type of existing floor and the condition underneath can affect the work required.
Do hardwood floors need acclimation?
Some hardwood products may require acclimation or site-condition review before installation. Royal will explain product-specific needs during the estimate and scheduling process.
Can pets stay in the home during installation?
Pets should be secured away from work areas. Flooring materials, tools, adhesives, dust, noise, open doors, and crew traffic can create safety concerns for pets.
What about appliances, toilets, or doors?
Appliances, toilets, doors, trims, transitions, and other details depend on the flooring type and written scope. Discuss these items before installation day so the project is planned correctly.
How long will installation take?
Project time depends on product type, square footage, stairs, furniture, removal, prep, layout, subfloor conditions, custom work, and site access.
Ready To Plan?
Royal makes installation day easier to understand.
Schedule a free in-home estimate and our flooring specialist will review your rooms, existing floors, furniture needs, project scope, product options, and installation plan.