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You wouldn't hire a contractor without checking reviews. So why pick a flooring supplier without doing your homework? In Spokane's flooring market, the difference between a great supplier and a bad one can cost you thousands of dollars, waste months of your time, or leave you with floors that fail too soon.
This guide walks you through 10 things to check when choosing a flooring supplier in Spokane. We cover reputation, product quality, installation services, and warranties. You'll make a smart choice the first time.
Whether you're a homeowner planning a kitchen remodel or a contractor sourcing materials, these tips help you find experienced suppliers and spot the ones cutting corners.
Choose a flooring supplier by checking these 10 things:
Pick suppliers with at least 10 years in business and real local references. Visit showrooms in person to check product quality and staff knowledge before you commit.
Your first step is checking if the supplier is trustworthy. This helps you avoid fly-by-night companies with no local ties.
Start with Google Business Profile reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings. Look for patterns in customer feedback. Every business gets a few bad reviews. But lots of complaints about poor communication, missed deadlines, or broken products signal trouble.
Ask for local references or project examples. Good suppliers happily share before and after photos and customer testimonials.
Good signs to look for:
Bad signs to avoid:
Check if they sell quality products, not bargain-bin imports with false claims.
Ask which brands they carry. Good manufacturers like Shaw, Mohawk, Armstrong, COREtec, and Mannington offer proven quality with solid warranties. Unknown imports often use cheap materials that wear out fast.
Look at samples in person. Check plank thickness, core construction, and finish quality. When customers visit our showroom, we show them cross-sections of luxury vinyl planks so they can see the SPC core and wear layer thickness.
Compare similar products across different brands. This gives you options instead of one product line pushed regardless of your needs.
Product variety shows expertise and customer focus. Suppliers with limited choices might push what they have in stock rather than what's best for your project.
The best suppliers offer four to five or more flooring types. You might walk in thinking you want hardwood but discover that luxury vinyl plank offers better value and durability for your lifestyle.
Spokane suppliers should understand our local climate. Our area has low humidity in summer, which affects hardwood performance. Basements need moisture-resistant options. A smart supplier recommends products suited to Spokane conditions.
Clear pricing separates honest suppliers from those planning surprise charges.
Request itemized written estimates that separate every cost: material, labor, underlayment, subfloor prep, removal, and disposal fees. Without a detailed breakdown, you can't compare quotes accurately.
Compare total project cost, not just per-square-foot pricing. A supplier with cheap material but expensive labor might cost more overall.
Watch for red flags: verbal-only quotes, same-day signing pressure, or "limited time" discounts that expire today. Quality suppliers don't need these tactics.
Test their customer service before you commit. Call or email with questions and see how they respond. Quick, thorough answers during sales predict how they'll handle problems during installation.
Check staff knowledge. Can they explain differences between solid and engineered hardwood? Do they ask about your lifestyle, traffic patterns, and moisture concerns before suggesting options?
Visit the showroom. Are staff members helpful without being pushy? Do they listen to your budget?
Local ownership creates accountability. Spokane-based businesses depend on local reputation and can't afford poor service.
Most flooring failures come from bad installation, not bad materials. Poor installation causes gaps, buckling, squeaks, and early wear.
Ask if they offer in-house installation or refer to licensed, insured contractors. In-house teams often provide better coordination and accountability. With referrals, verify contractors are licensed and insured yourself.
Installation warranties are separate from product warranties and typically cover one to five years. Get warranty terms in writing before installation starts.
Showroom lighting can be misleading. The flooring that looks perfect under bright store lights might look completely different in your home.
Best suppliers let you take samples home. Testing samples in your actual space is the only way to see how colors and textures will look once installed.
Test samples in different lighting conditions. A gray vinyl plank that looks neutral in the showroom might appear blue in north-facing rooms or warm in south-facing spaces.
Spokane tip: test samples in rooms with north-facing versus south-facing windows. North light is cooler and can make warm-toned floors look dull. South light is warmer and can make cool-toned floors look yellow.
Our flooring visualizer takes the guesswork out. You can see your space transformed instantly.
Upload a photo of your room. Select a product from our collection. Watch the transformation happen right away. The realistic rendering shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.
Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Select a product. | Step 3: Instantly see the transformation!
Use the visualizer to narrow down favorites online. Then request those specific samples to test in person. This combination gives you both digital convenience and hands-on confirmation.
Try Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!
Understanding timelines upfront helps you avoid suppliers who overpromise and underdeliver.
Ask about typical lead times. In-stock materials might arrive within days. Special-order products can take two to eight weeks or longer. If you have a firm deadline, verify the supplier can meet it before you commit.
Find out about delivery costs and process. Where do they deliver—to your garage or inside your home? If you're on a second floor, discuss this upfront.
Most flooring needs 24 to 72 hours to adjust to your home's temperature and humidity before installation. Factor this into your project schedule.
Local suppliers deliver faster than out-of-state warehouses. If problems come up, you can visit in person.
Warranties protect your investment, but only if you understand what they actually cover.
Product warranties from manufacturers typically range from 10 to 30 years. Some claim "lifetime" coverage, but read the fine print. Lifetime often means the life of the original buyer in the original home with many exclusions.
Installation warranties cover labor problems separately and usually last one to five years.
Know what's NOT covered: normal wear and tear, improper maintenance, water damage, sun fading, scratches from pets or furniture. These exclusions are standard but catch homeowners off guard.
Get all warranty terms in writing before you buy.
Common warranty terms explained:
Environmental and health certifications matter if you care about indoor air quality and sustainability.
Look for third-party certifications like FloorScore, GreenGuard Gold, and Cradle to Cradle. These verify low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and prove the flooring won't release harmful chemicals into your home's air.
Low-VOC flooring is especially important for families with allergies, asthma, or young children.
Spokane context: With wildfire smoke season affecting our area, maintaining good indoor air quality year-round has become increasingly important. Choosing low-VOC flooring helps control what enters your home's air.
Create a comparison checklist using these criteria. Score each supplier on reputation, product quality, variety, pricing, customer service, installation, samples, delivery, and warranties.
Visit two to three showrooms in person. In-person visits let you test customer service, inspect samples, and ask hard questions.
Get written estimates from your top choices. Compare line by line, not just total price.
Check online reviews on Google, Yelp, and local forums. Look for patterns in repeated problems.
Supplier comparison checklist:
Ready to see the difference a trusted local supplier makes? Visit our Spokane showroom at 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1, Spokane, WA 99212 to explore quality flooring options, get honest answers, and meet the team that has served the Spokane area with excellent quality and service at any budget for years! Or call us at (509) 866-6776 for a free estimate.
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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