Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Jacksonville, FL

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Flooring Contractor in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville-based flooring contractors must hold a state-issued contractor license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before legally operating in the city. Failure to comply with this state-mandated licensing requirement can result in fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to one year. Note that residents of the city who knowingly hire unlicensed flooring contractors can also receive a separate penalty of up to $5,000 in fines.

Jacksonville-based flooring contractors can be licensed as either Certified Contractors or Registered Contractors with the DBPR. Certified contractors can work in any jurisdiction across Florida, while registered contractors can only work in Jacksonville and any other specified locations listed on their licenses. Note that these contractors also typically have to comply with additional local requirements from these locations.

DBPR-licensed flooring contractors are further subcategorized into several classes, which include:

• General Contractor: these types of contractors are authorized to perform any type of construction work
• Building Contractor: these types of contractors can only work on new commercial buildings and single or multiple-dwelling buildings that are three stories high or less. However, they may perform non-structural repairs and renovations on any type of building, regardless of its size
• Residential Contractor: these types of contractors can only work on one, two, or three-family residences that are not more than two stories high
• Specialty Contractor: these types of contractors can only perform the specific construction-related services that are listed on their licenses

Applications for DBPR-issued contractor licenses can be submitted to the department online. Note that applicants must comply with specific eligibility requirements, such as:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must pass the Florida State Construction Examination
• Must have acceptable educational or work experience
• Must pass a background check
• Must provide proof of adequate insurance coverage
• Must submit proof of financial stability and responsibility in the form of a credit report with a credit score of no less than 660
• Must pay all applicable fees

Jacksonville-based flooring contractors who wish to be licensed as Registered Contractors must also submit a locally issued certificate of competency obtained from the Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board. The requirements for obtaining this certificate of competency include passing a local exam, providing proof of relevant work experience, adequate insurance coverage and financial responsibility, complying with local tax requirements, and submitting a sworn statement attesting to their criminal history within the past five years.

Inquiries regarding the DBPR's licensing process and requirements for Jacksonville-based flooring contractors can be directed to the department's Customer Contact Center online or by calling (850) 487-1395. Likewise, inquiries related explicitly to locally issued certificates of competency for these contractors can be directed to the Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board at (904) 255-7970.

Finally, you can verify your prospective flooring contractor's licensing status online via the Verify a Licensee platform that the DBPR provides for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Flooring Contractors in Jacksonville?

Professional flooring contractors in Jacksonville usually calculate their charges using hourly, linear foot, square foot, or per-service pricing structures. Nonetheless, the total cost of hiring these contractors largely depends on factors like:

• The size and current condition of the floor surface
• The type of flooring to be used
• Your location within the city
• The reputation and level of experience of the flooring contractor
• The difficulty and labor-intensiveness of the project

To this end, you should strongly consider requesting and comparing quotes from local flooring contractors for your flooring project before deciding who to hire. This gives you an idea of the average prices for the services you need and helps you identify dishonest flooring contractors who fraudulently overcharge for their services.

Flooring contractors in Jacksonville earn an estimated annual wage of $39,610. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Jacksonville flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Florida along with other major cities in the United States:

Are You a Member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)?

It is crucial to check for membership with or certification by a professional organization when making hiring arrangements with floor installers in Jacksonville, especially if you are seeking services for wood-related floors. Floor installers who are members of or have received certifications from a professional organization are usually more knowledgeable, experienced, and competent than their counterparts. They also generally have better access to training, education, insurance, and other similar resources, which increase your chances of receiving top-notch services. Lastly, these organizations provide a channel for mediation if the floor installer behaves unprofessionally or provides subpar service.

Examples of reputable professional organizations that Jacksonville-based floor installers typically belong to or are certified by include:

• The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA)
• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• The Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida

Note that you should always verify any membership or certification with professional groups that your prospective floor installer claims to hold before signing any contracts with them.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

With the amount of foot traffic floors receive daily, issues from wear and tear are not unexpected. However, these floors can last for hundreds of years with proper care and maintenance. Nonetheless, some situations can seriously damage your floors, such as:

• Poor or faulty initial installation
• Pet nails, furniture, and other similar objects that leave scratches and cause dents
• Dirt and debris being tracked in
• Inadequate upkeep

At least one or more of the following significant floor cross-sections are impacted when these kinds of damages take place:

• Floor Surface: this is the part of the floor that is visible. Floor surfaces typically receive the most foot activity, and dents, scratches, incorrect cleaning, and sun fading are the most common causes of problems in this cross-section of floors.
• Subfloor: this floor cross-section is typically not visible and is placed beneath the flooring material to provide support and keep it level. Subfloor damages are usually caused by water-related issues.
• Joists: This floor component supports the weight of the floor and the room above it and is installed beneath the subfloor. In most buildings, joists have an important structural role. Therefore, any damage to them should be repaired right away and only by competent professionals.

Always confirm that any flooring contractor you plan to hire in Jacksonville is qualified and skilled enough to handle the particular kind of floor damage you are experiencing. Also, find out how much the flooring contractor will charge for their services, come to an agreement on these fees, and obtain this agreement in writing before any repair work starts.

Below are price ranges for common floor repair services offered by professional Jacksonville-based flooring contractors:

Estimates based on flooring material per square foot:

Estimates based on type of damage:

Estimates based on repair solution:

Estimates based on floor location:

What Kind of Flooring Services Do You Offer in Jacksonville?

Finding out what services they offer and making sure that these services can be satisfactorily provided in relation to your preferred flooring material are crucial steps to take before selecting flooring contractors in Jacksonville. Professional Jacksonville-based flooring contractors generally offer four main kinds of services, namely:

• New floor installations
• Old floor removals and replacement
• Floor repair
• Floor maintenance

These services are often provided for a variety of popular flooring materials, including:

• Hardwood Flooring: this is one of the most popular floor choices because of its attractiveness, durability, and ease of care. Hardwood floors can be constructed from widely accessible wood species such as oak, walnut, ash, cherry, mahogany, bamboo, and maple or exotic wood species like teak, jarrah, and mesquite. They also come in different varieties, including solid hardwood, finished hardwood, and engineered hardwood. However, it should be mentioned that hardwood floors are susceptible to water damage, scratches, and dents.
• Tile Flooring: tile floors have a beautiful aesthetic appeal, but they must be professionally installed to ensure that they are laid out evenly and with minimal to no flaws. Tile floors come in various varieties, including ceramic, engineered, and porcelain tiles.
• Laminate Flooring: laminate flooring is less prone to scratches than hardwood and delivers the same durability and aesthetic appeal as tile and hardwood flooring at a lower cost. However, it is susceptible to moisture damage.
• Vinyl Flooring: vinyl flooring is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to its resilience to water and moisture, low cost, high level of durability, and minimal upkeep requirements. This flooring comes in three main varieties, namely sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks (LVP), and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)
• Carpet Flooring: there are typically two types of carpet flooring, namely natural fiber carpets and synthetic fiber carpet, with the former being more environmentally friendly and the latter being more affordable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain

Always confirm that your prospective flooring contractor in Jacksonville is experienced in handling your preferred flooring materials and has the necessary tools to provide your required flooring services. Additionally, make sure that you and the flooring contractor come to an agreement on the cost of their services and get this contract in writing before any work begins. Below are price ranges for common flooring services offered in Jacksonville:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

If your home has old hardwood floors, you might want to think about refinishing them instead of replacing them entirely. Refinishing is a procedure that involves sanding the floor surface and coating it with new stain and lacquer. This process should not be confused with resurfacing, which is a typically more labor-intensive procedure that entails removing old floorboards, leveling up those that are uneven, and reinforcing floor planks with fresh nails.

Refinishing is a good way to renovate your hardwood floors and preserve their natural beauty, and you can also recoup up to 100 percent of the cost of these projects. The cost of refinishing a hardwood floor in Jacksonville typically ranges from $3 to $7 per square foot, but the project's actual cost will depend on the size of the floor and the labor required. Also, while it is possible to refinish and even resurface your hardwood floors yourself, leaving these activities to qualified flooring contractors is recommended to ensure that they are carried out correctly and with the fewest possible mistakes.

Even though experts typically advise that you refinish your hardwood floors every seven to ten years or roughly four to six times throughout its lifespan, you should initiate this project if you notice that your floor:

• Has significant dents and scratches
• Has splinters
• Has water stains or other difficult-to-remove stains
• Is bending downwards from its edges
• Is turning gray or showing other signs of discoloration and fading

Additionally, there are some situations where you may need to replace your hardwood floors completely, such as when:

• The floor has undergone multiple refinishing projects
• The floor has sustained significant water, scratch, mark, or dent damage
• The floorboards are creaking or moving
• Nails are poking through the floor

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

Another crucial question to ask potential floor installers in Jacksonville is whether or not you will be provided with a warranty. There are two types of warranties that professional floor installers in the city commonly offer, and these are:

• Manufacturer Warranties: these warranties cover the actual flooring material, and the product manufacturer typically determines their scope and validity period. Nonetheless, manufacturer warranties offered in Jacksonville typically have the following validity periods –
  • Hardwood - at least 25 years
  • Laminate - 10 to 30 years
  • Vinyl - 10 to 20
  • Carpet - 10 to 20 years
  • Tile – 10 to 25 years

Note that these validity periods are typically shorter for flooring materials that are installed in commercial buildings. Also, the coverage offered by manufacturer warranties is usually non-transferable, which means that it only applies to the original home or property owner who bought the flooring material. However, some manufacturer warranties have options that allow them to be transferred from one homeowner to another, provided that the new owner takes ownership of the house where the flooring material is put within a defined time frame.

• Installation/Workmanship Warranties: these warranties cover the work performed by the flooring installer, and they typically have a validity period of at least one year

Always confirm that you will be offered warranties for the project before finalizing hiring agreements with any floor installers in the city. Also, make sure that you carefully read and understand the terms of these warranties to prevent scenarios that could void them. Examples of these kinds of scenarios include:

• Incorrect installation
• Inadequate or unsuitable use, care, and maintenance of the installed flooring material
• Repair work carried out by unlicensed or unapproved flooring contractors
• Natural disasters

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Flooring projects often generate a lot of dirt and debris, especially projects that involve installing or replacing flooring in commercial establishments, which are usually larger than residential spaces. As such, you should always ensure that post-installation clean-up activities are included in your service contract when selecting flooring contractors in Jacksonville. Note that these clean-up activities should be done before the newly installed flooring is officially used.

Listed below are tips for the proper cleaning and maintenance of different types of newly installed floors in Jacksonville:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Flooring Contractors in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville-based flooring contractors must comply with certain state-mandated insurance obligations before they can legally provide their services to city residents. These obligations include:

• Maintaining liability insurance of at least $100,000 and property damage insurance of at least $25,000. However, the insurance limits for flooring contractors holding either a general contractor or building contractor license are increased to a minimum of $300,000 and $50,000 for liability and property damage insurance, respectively.
• Maintaining workers' compensation insurance or getting an exemption to this where applicable

Hiring a flooring contractor who has complied with these insurance obligations protects you from liabilities in situations where property damage or bodily injuries occur during the execution of your flooring project. Considering that nearly 30 percent of work-related deaths across Florida in 2020 were recorded among construction trade workers, your prospective flooring contractor's insurance status cannot be overstated.

Therefore, ask any flooring contractors you intend to hire to provide copies of their insurance certificates and validate them with the appropriate insurance providers before you reach any final agreements with the contractors.

Additional information concerning state-mandated insurance obligations for Jacksonville-based flooring contractors can be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) online or via phone at (850) 487-1395.