In what order should remodeling work be done for flooring and painting projects?
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Drywall installation or repair, tape, float, and texture.
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Tile flooring, showers, and backsplashes.
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Paint walls, ceilings, and door casings.
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Install hardwood flooring, sand and finish is required.
Or install LVP.
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Install, caulk, and paint floor trim (baseboards and/or quarter round)
and touch up wall paint if needed.
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If you are having new carpet installed do it last if possible.
What is the best flooring for an active household?
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is one of the best flooring options for active households. It's durable, highly water resistant, scratch resistant, and easy to clean.
We recommend avoiding the cheapest products and making sure your installer performs proper subfloor or slab prep to meet the manufacturer's flatness tolerance giudelines. GLue fown vinyl plank is even more durable than the click lock version and is often used in commercial settings.
Do flooring warranties really matter?
Yes and no.
A warranty can give you a general idea of the product's quality and expected lifespan (under perfect conditions) however, most warranties contain fine print that can make claims difficult to qualify for.
It's also worth noting that almost all flooring in marketed as high quality, but in reality there are big differences in construction, finish, wear layer thickness, and core materials between the layers.
In many cases the warranty only covers the flooring itself, not the labor cost or adhesive if you floor was glued down. That's why proper installation and choosing a reputable flooring contractor are more important than relying on a warranty alone.
We're always happy to help you compare options and make sure you're selecting flooring that's truly built to perform, not just well marketed.
What is the best finish for site finished hardwood floors?
There are several factors to consider, but for most homes, a high-quality water-based urethane finish is an excellent choice.
Products like Bona Mega One dry quickly, have low odor, and provide strong durability. Bona Traffic HD is a popular upgrade and offers increased scratch and wear resistance, although in day-to-day use most homeowners won’t notice a dramatic difference between the two.
One important thing to understand is that no finish is completely scratch-proof. Sliding heavy furniture across any hardwood floor can still cause scratches, regardless of the product used.
Water-based finishes also make future repairs and touch-ups easier because of their fast drying time.
That said, oil-based urethane finishes are still a great option if you prefer a deeper, warmer, more traditional look. Oil-based products tend to enhance the natural color and richness of the wood, but they take longer to dry and have a stronger odor during application.
We’re happy to walk you through the pros and cons of each option and help you choose the best finish for your lifestyle and goals.
Is Rubio Monocoat a good hardwood floor finish?
Yes, Rubio Monocoat is an excellent hardwood floor finish and a popular choice for homeowners who want a natural-looking, matte finish.
Rubio is a single-coat, hardwax oil finish that bonds at the molecular level to the wood, which saves time during installation and curing. It’s available in a wide range of colors and enhances the natural character of the wood rather than creating a thick surface film.
Rubio is durable for residential use, and one of its biggest advantages is easy maintenance and spot repair. If an area becomes worn or damaged, it can often be repaired without sanding and refinishing the entire floor.
For homes that need extra protection, Rubio can be paired with compatible maintenance oils or protective additives to increase resistance to wear and moisture.
We install and maintain Rubio Monocoat finishes regularly and can help you decide if it’s the right option for your home and lifestyle.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes, we offer free, no obligation estimates.
We take the time to evaluate your project carefully so your quote is clear and detailed. Our goal is to minimize surprises and avoid unexpected add ons by identifying potential issues up front.
We believe that transparent pricing and clear communication are just as important as quality qorkmanship.
What is your service area?
Our primary service area is Austin, Texas and the surrounding Central Texas communities, including Leander, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Buda, Kyle, and Georgetown.
For the right projects, we also travel to nearby cities such as San Marcos, Wimberley, and New Braunfels.
Some homeowners and contractors choose to have us travel because they value our quality workmanship, communication, and overall service.
If you’re unsure whether your location is within our service area, just reach out and ask.
What is the flooring installation process like?
The flooring installation process begins with proper preparation. We remove existing flooring materials as needed and ensure the slab or subfloor meets the manufacturer’s flatness tolerance requirements. Proper prep is critical to the long-term performance of your new floor.
If applicable, floor trim such as baseboards or quarter round is carefully removed before installation.
Next, we install the new flooring according to manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices.
After installation, we reinstall existing trim or install new trim as needed, caulk and paint where appropriate, and complete a final walkthrough with you to ensure everything meets your expectations.
Our goal is to deliver a clean, professional installation with no surprises.
How long does flooring installation take?
Most flooring projects take 1-3 days depending on square footage, material type, and prep requirements. We have a large crew that has been with us for a long time so there is no head scratching or guesswork. Hardwood floor refinishing can take a little longer due to sanding and drying times.
We provide a realistic timeline before the project begins so you know exactly what to expect.
Do you move furniture before installation or painting?
We can assist with moving furniture for most residential projects. We recommend removing small and fragile items ahead of time. If special arrangements are needed, we’ll discuss that during your estimate.
Can we stay in our home during flooring installation?
In many cases, yes. However, certain projects like hardwood refinishing may require limited access due to dust, odor, and drying times. We’ll explain the impact before work begins so you can plan accordingly.
What house painting services do you offer?
We offer a full range of interior painting services, including painting walls, ceilings, trim, doors, cabinets, and accent walls.
We also provide exterior painting for many residential projects. For safety and logistical reasons, we do not take on very large exterior projects that require extensive scaffolding or specialized access equipment.
If you’re unsure whether your project is a good fit, just reach out and we’ll be happy to discuss it.
What brands of paint do you use?
We primarily use high-quality paint products from trusted brands such as Sherwin-Williams and Behr.
We typically select product lines that are near the top of each brand’s lineup, offering excellent coverage, durability, and finish without unnecessary markup.
Very low-quality paints often require multiple extra coats, which increases labor and cost. On the other end, the newest “premium” lines don’t always provide enough real-world benefit to justify their higher price.
Our goal is to choose paints that deliver the best overall value, performance, and long-term results for our customers.
Sheen choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, but here are our general recommendations:
- Flat for ceilings
- Eggshell or satin for walls
- Satin or semi-gloss for trim and doors
Higher sheen paints are more durable and easier to clean, but they also tend to highlight surface imperfections more than lower-sheen finishes.
We’re happy to discuss sheen options and help you choose what works best for your space, lighting, and lifestyle.
We hope you found our flooring and painting FAQ page helpful. If you’re planning a project and would like a free, no-obligation estimate, contact us today. We look forward to working with you.
