I've been installing floors for years and I keep seeing the same mistakes from GCs who don't know flooring.

1. Acclimation isn't optional. If your sub is laying hardwood the same day it arrives on site, you're looking at callbacks. Wood needs 3-5 days minimum to adjust to the space's humidity. Skipping this = gaps, buckling, warranty claims.

2. Subfloor prep is 80% of the job. A flat, clean subfloor means tight seams and zero squeaks. If your sub isn't checking for moisture and leveling before install, they're cutting corners.

3. Transitions matter more than you think. The detail where tile meets hardwood or carpet meets LVP is what separates a $50K kitchen from a $200K kitchen. Don't let your sub phone it in with cheap T-moldings.

4. Material cost ≠ material quality. I've seen $3/sqft LVP outperform $8/sqft hardwood because the install was better. Know what you're working with and match the material to the use case.

5. Your timeline is only as good as your flooring schedule. Floors go in after paint, before trim. If your sub can't commit to a 48-hour window, you need a new sub.

I run JP Floors — we handle residential and commercial flooring for contractors who want the job done right the first time. If you're tired of callbacks and missed deadlines, come check us out.