Inspect what is below and around the flooring.
Product selection comes after the substrate and room conditions are understood.
Record the existing flooring, subfloor or slab, flatness, movement, moisture history, transitions, door clearances, baseboards, radiators, appliances, stairs, floor drains, and adjoining finishes. Confirm whether removal exposes adhesive, damage, uneven areas, or materials that require assessment before disturbance.
Compare common flooring categories
- Luxury vinyl plank or tile: often considered for practical maintenance and moisture-tolerant applications, but substrate preparation, product quality, joints, transitions, and manufacturer requirements still matter.
- Laminate: can provide a wood-look finish, but water exposure, edge performance, underlayment, and repair strategy should be evaluated for the room.
- Engineered hardwood: offers a real-wood surface with product-specific installation options. Confirm wear layer, humidity conditions, acoustics, maintenance, and replacement availability.
- Parquet or solid hardwood: existing floors may sometimes be repaired or refinished; replacement or patching depends on condition, matching material, fastening, and surrounding transitions.
- Ceramic or porcelain tile: useful in suitable wet or high-wear areas when the substrate, movement control, waterproofing where applicable, layout, grout, edge details, and transitions are properly planned.
Ask property-level questions
- Is there an approved building or portfolio-wide product and colour?
- Are acoustic ratings, underlayments, or board approvals required?
- Will the same product remain available for future repairs and turnovers?
- How are units cleaned and what maintenance products are used?
- What traffic, rolling loads, pets, water exposure, or winter salt should be expected?
- Can isolated damage be repaired, or does the installation method force wider replacement?
- How will height changes affect doors, appliances, thresholds, accessibility, and adjoining rooms?
Define the full installed scope
A useful flooring quote identifies removal, disposal, furniture or appliance movement, substrate preparation, moisture testing where appropriate, levelling, underlayment, product, installation pattern, waste factor, transitions, reducers, stair details, baseboards or quarter-round, door adjustments, caulking, protection, cleaning, and warranties.
For condominium units
Review the corporation’s declaration, by-laws, rules, alteration process, approved work hours, contractor requirements, elevator bookings, protection, and acoustic criteria before ordering. The Condominium Authority of Ontario notes that corporations may require formal approval, supporting documents, insurance information, approved contractors, work-hour limits, and inspections.
Prepare a flooring request
Send room dimensions, photographs, existing flooring and substrate information, moisture or damage history, selected product details, building rules, occupancy, furniture and appliance conditions, access, target date, and the required finish standard. If the exact product is not selected, describe the performance priorities and budget range.
Request a flooring project review →
Official reference and related guidance
Condominium owners can review the Condominium Authority of Ontario’s condo renovation guidance. Also see JT’s rental and common-area flooring guide, flooring and finishing service, and completed unit-renovation case study.