When starting a workspace you literally need to start from the floor up. The floor is what supports the rest of the project and is also going to be one of your biggest outlays when it comes to cost and your budget. So it is important to start thinking about this part of the work early on. When you are looking for contractors to complete the work, you will be asking each one to bid for the project. You need this bid to be clear, detailed and give you an accurate assessment of the cost and time frame. But what do you need to be looking for in this process? And also on the other side what do you need to be wary of? 

Three things to keep in mind when accessing bids

• Ask for a submittal process for each contractor 

Try to get as much information as early as possible. By asking for a project submission you will be able to get a clear picture of what each contractor will bring to the project. Most experienced contractors will be used to this type of appraisal and will have materials ready for you to see. You should also get samples of products so you can quality control the materials. This can stop a lot of headaches from happening in the future, and any problems can be foreseen upfront. 

• Has the contractor done similar sized projects 

If the contractor has done similar sized projects then they will be able to handle a project the size and scope of yours. It’s not enough to just give a fancy quote with the right numbers. Ask to see some case studies and ask them to include the square footage, materials used and time frame. It might be useful for them to include the type of facility, especially if you have certain facility dependent specifications. 

• Training of installation crews 

Is the team you are using properly trained? Can they offer proof of the training and experience? This could be experience in the construction business, with the same company or different ones, or a building science degree. Every project needs a skilled team to execute it, and having an idea before confirming the bid can give you peace of mind that your project will run to schedule and on budget. It is also a good idea to know who will be doing the day to day project management on-site, as they will keep the work moving and make sure it is up to proper standards. 

Three things to be aware of when choosing your contractor 

•  Be careful of the highest and lowest bids 

While you are evaluating your flooring bids, beware of the highest and lowest bids. The highest is probably going to be your first choice if you have a tight budget, but also be wary as it may mean that the contractor hasn’t really understood the brief. The lowest bids can also be a sign the contractor hasn’t understood what the project will really entail, hasn’t considered the time or materials or misinterpreted the drawings. Focus on the bids that seem realistic for the job. 

• Waterproofing

For a lot of sites having flooring that is waterproof is essential. Especially any kitchen areas of your workspace or restrooms, that could range from water-resistant tile to moisture resistant carpet tiles. Although this might seem like a given, make sure that the contractor you choose is taking this into consideration, and include the cost into their quote. Moisture generally can be a bit of a pain when it comes to installation and can cause your flooring to have a much shorter life than it should. Ask your contractor if they have been ASTM tested. 

• Incompatible adhesives 

There are some flooring adhesives that are not compatible with each other, for example PVC backing and latex adhesive. This can cause an issue if one type of backing was used with the old flooring and one is being used with the new flooring. Make sure that the bid you choose has factored in the time and cost to remove any incompatible adhesives if they occur. 

Here at Fin, we have plenty of experience in fitting commercial flooring and we have done the legwork so you don’t have to. We take into account the factors that matter the most to you and we present choices that reflect that. If you would like to learn more about how we could work for your project get in touch at: hello@finworkspaces.com or call 206-489-0134