Whether you're buying your new floor from a retail store or a reputable online store, the most critical part is yet to come - installation.
Now I know you may be thinking to try it yourself or go through a friend of a friend who knows someone.
After seeing enough horror stories my personal advice is not settle for anything less than a certified flooring installer (CFI) for a number of reasons.
1.
Firstly, if it's a larger job, you don't want to take risks by trying to do it yourself and messing up.
Even if you feel you have done a good job, incorrect installation techniques or even not preparing the floor correctly will void many product warranties.
2.
The second good reason to stick with a CFI is they back their work.
Most if not all, offer a work/labor warranty.
General contractors rarely do.
3.
Keep in mind a CFI has attended the various product classes and installation schools specific to each product.
So they know what is required for specific brands.
You may pay a little more for a certified flooring installer, but isn't it worth the peace of mind than hiring a guy $0.
40/foot cheaper who 'tries really hard'? In all my experiences, I found the highest satisfaction levels came with certified installers and the lowest came from not shoddy contractors, but from customers who thought they could do it themselves and ended up really screwing up and paying more money to buy more product and get it properly installed.
Just remember, the best installer on the planet won't do you much good if your product carries no warranty.
This occurs when customers unknowingly buy material thinking it's premium grade when its not.
This stuff carries no warranty!