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7 questions to ask before hiring a flooring contractor in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has hundreds of flooring contractors, and quality varies dramatically. Before you sign anything or hand over a deposit, these are the seven questions that separate a reliable installer from a problem waiting to happen.

1. Are you licensed in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractors to be registered with the Attorney General's office. Ask for the contractor's PA Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) number and verify it at the PA AG website. An unlicensed contractor means no recourse if something goes wrong.

2. Do you carry liability insurance and workers' comp?

Liability insurance protects your home if a contractor damages something during the job. Workers' comp protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Ask for a certificate of insurance — a legitimate contractor will provide it without hesitation. Minimum coverage we recommend: $1M liability.

3. Who actually does the work — your crew or subcontractors?

Many flooring companies quote the job and then hand it off to subcontractors you've never met. This isn't always bad, but you should know. Direct-employee crews tend to be more accountable because their work reflects directly on the company. Ask specifically: "Will your employees install my floor, or will you subcontract it out?"

4. What does your written warranty cover?

A reputable contractor stands behind both the material and the installation labor. Get the warranty in writing. At minimum you want: 1-year labor warranty on the installation itself, plus whatever manufacturer warranty comes with the flooring product. Be skeptical of verbal-only warranty promises.

5. What does subfloor prep look like, and is it included?

The most common cause of flooring failures is inadequate subfloor preparation — uneven surfaces, moisture, loose boards. Ask specifically what prep work is included in the quote and what would trigger an additional charge. If a contractor says "subfloor looks fine" without ever seeing it, that's a red flag.

6. Can you show me references or reviews from Philadelphia-area customers?

Ask for references from jobs completed in the last 12 months and actually call them. Check Yelp and Google reviews. Look for patterns — one bad review in 50 is noise; repeated complaints about the same issue are a signal.

7. What's the payment schedule?

A standard payment structure is a deposit at contract signing (10–30%), a progress payment when materials are delivered, and the balance upon completion. Never pay more than 50% upfront. Never pay in full before the job is done. Contractors who demand full payment before starting are a significant risk.