Get Quotes from Top Flooring Contractors in Boston, MA

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

Flooring contractors in Boston are typically required to register as Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) before working on any existing one to four-unit residential properties in the city. These contractors may also be required to obtain a separate Construction Supervisor License (CSL) from the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) before providing any type of structural flooring services.

HIC registration can be completed online via the OCABR's registration portal or in person at:

Note that in-person registrants may be required to complete a pdf registration form. Also, the registration fee payment is required for all applicants, regardless of the registration method used. Inquiries concerning the HIC registration process for Boston-based flooring contractors can be directed to the OCABR at (617) 973-8787 or toll-free number (888) 283-3757.

On the other hand, flooring contractors that wish to obtain OPSI-issued Construction Supervisor Licenses may do so via the following steps:

• Establish the scope of services they intend to provide and determine the type of CSL required
• Verify they have attained at least three years of construction or design work experience or an acceptable equivalent.
• Complete and mail an Examination Registration Form and all stipulated fees through the submission channels provided at the bottom of the form.
• Call (800) 813-6671 to schedule an examination date. Applicants are advised to wait for at least 10 days after submitting their examination registration forms before making this call.

Applicants who complete these steps and successfully take and pass the licensing examination will subsequently be required to mail their score reports to the state's Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) at

Queries concerning the OPSI's construction supervisor licensing process can be directed to the office at (617) 727-3200.

Note that flooring contractors that fail to comply with the aforementioned mandatory licensing and registration requirements face statutory penalties of up to $5,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to two years, or a combination of both.

You can confirm your intended flooring contractor's HIC registration status via the OCABR's Home Improvement Contractor Registration Lookup platform, while CSL statuses can also be verified via the OPSI's Check a Construction Supervisor License platform.

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

The cost of hiring a flooring contractor in Boston is typically determined by the following factors:

• The nature and scope of your required flooring services
• The size and current condition of the floor area
• The type of flooring material involved
• The labor intensity of the job
• The flooring contractor's local reputation
• Your location within the city

Professional flooring contractors typically calculate their prices using hourly, linear footage, square footage, per-service rates, or a combination of one or more of these methods. Nonetheless, you should always find out how your intended flooring contractors calculate their rates when making hiring arrangements with them. It is also advisable to get and compare quotes for the job from at least three different flooring contractors in the city before making your final hiring selection. Some benefits of doing this include

• It gives you an idea of the average cost of your required flooring services
• It is an effective way to identify dishonest flooring contractors and avoid scams

Flooring contractors in Boston earn an estimated annual wage of $71,330. The list below indicates the average hourly wages for Boston flooring contractors and compares these figures with the average hourly wages of floor layers in other parts of Massachusetts along with other major cities in the United States:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

In addition to state-mandated contractor licensing and registration, it is always a good idea to check for membership with or certification by a professional association when searching for floor installers in Boston, especially if you wish to work with wood flooring materials. Floor installers that belong to or have been certified by a reputable professional association generally have certain advantages over non-member or non-certified floor installers, such as:

• They are typically more knowledgeable and experienced
• They generally gave better access to training, education, insurance, and other relevant industry resources
• These associations offer consumers additional channels for dispute resolution in situations where their members act unprofessionally or provide subpar services

Some reputable professional associations that floor installers in Boston often join or obtain certifications from include:

• The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
• The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
• The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
• The Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB)
• The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts (HBRAMA)
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Note that you should always verify any claims of affiliation or certification with professional associations made by your prospective floor installers before you enter into any agreements with them.

How Much Do You Charge for Floor Repairs?

Even though flooring products are typically built to last for years with proper use and upkeep, wear and tear problems are expected, given the foot traffic that floors receive daily. However, certain situations can reduce the lifespan of your floors and seriously damage them. These include:

• Poor/improper initial installation
• Inadequate maintenance
• Tracked-in dirt and debris
• Scratches and dents from pet claws, furniture, and other similar objects

At least one or more of the following significant floor components are impacted by these damages:

• Floor surface: this is the visible part of the floor and typically receives the most foot activity. Dents, scratches, inadequate or improper upkeep, and sun fading are the most common causes of problems with this floor component.
• Subfloor: subfloors are typically not visible and are usually installed underneath the flooring material to give it support and ensure that it stays level. Problems with this floor component are usually caused by water-related damage.
• Joists: This floor component is typically installed underneath the subfloor, and it supports the weight of the floor and the room above it. Joists play an essential structural role in most buildings, so all joist-related issues should be fixed as soon as they are noticed.

Always confirm that your intended flooring contractor has the necessary skill set to rectify the specific type of floor damage you are experiencing before entering into any agreements with them. You should also find out how much you will be charged for the required floor repair services before any work starts, agree on these fees, and get this agreement in writing.

Listed below are cost estimates for different floor repair services commonly offered by professional flooring contractors in Boston:

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 Boston?

Finding out what kinds of services your intended floorers offer and the types of flooring materials they specialize in working with are important steps to take when selecting flooring contractors in Boston. Professional flooring contractors in the city generally offer three main kinds of flooring services, namely:

• Floor installations
• Floor removals and replacements
• Floor repairs and maintenance

These flooring contractors are also typically experienced and equipped enough to provide these services for a variety of popular flooring materials, like

• Hardwood: hardwood flooring comes in several types, including solid hardwood, finished hardwood, and engineered hardwood, and is typically made from different types of wood species, such as mahogany, maple, oak, mesquite, jarrah, teak, bamboo, ash, walnut, and cherry. This type of flooring is very aesthetically pleasing, durable, and easy to maintain. However, it also has the disadvantage of being susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage.
• Tile: tile flooring comes in several types, including ceramic, engineered, and porcelain tiles. This type of flooring has the advantage of being aesthetically pleasing and durable. However, it has to be installed by experts to ensure that it turns out even, level, and without any irregularities.
• Laminate: laminate flooring offers the same advantages as hardwood and tile flooring and is also relatively cheaper than them. However, this type of flooring has the disadvantage of being susceptible to moisture damage.
• Vinyl: vinyl flooring typically comes in three main types, namely Sheet Vinyl, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). This type of flooring is easy to maintain and is often used for kitchens and bathrooms because of its high water and moisture resistance, low cost, and durability.
• Carpet: carpet flooring is usually made with either natural or synthetic fiber. Natural fiber carpets are generally more environmentally friendly, while synthetic fiber carpets are generally more affordable, stain-resistant, and easier to clean.

Always confirm that your intended flooring contractor is aptly experienced in working with your preferred flooring material and has the required tools to provide the specific flooring services you need. Make sure that you find out and agree on the cost of the flooring contractor's services before any work begins, and insist on getting a written contract to this effect. Price ranges for common flooring services in the Boston area are listed below:

Do You Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Floor refinishing is a floor maintenance process that involves sanding down hardwood floors and then coating them with stain or lacquer. This term is often erroneously used interchangeably with floor resurfacing, which refers to a different hardwood floor maintenance process that involves replacing old floorboards, grinding down uneven ones, and reinforcing floor planks with new nails.

Floor refinishing is a good option for renovating old hardwood floors, and it not only helps them regain and retain their natural beauty but can also provide you with a 100 percent ROI when done right. As such, even though it is possible to DIY floor refinishing or resurfacing projects, it is always a good idea to retain the services of a professional flooring contractor to achieve optimal results. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors in the Boston area typically ranges from $4 - $8.50 per square foot, with factors like the size of the floor area and the labor intensity of the job affecting the actual costs of these projects.

It is recommended that you refinish your hardwood floors every seven to ten years, which usually amounts to around four to six times during its life span. Nonetheless, you can consider refinishing your floors outside this recommended timeframe if you notice the following:

• The floor has splinters
• The floor is bending downwards from its edges
• The floor has noticeable scratches
• The floor is fading, turning gray, or showing other signs of discoloration
• The floor has stains that are difficult to remove

Note that in some situations, refinishing may not be the best option, and you may have to replace the flooring completely. These include situations where the floor:

• Has suffered significant dent, scratch, or water-related damage
• Has nails poking through
• Is noticeably discolored
• Is creaking or moving
• Has already been refinished multiple times

Do You Offer a Warranty for Floors Installed?

Professional Boston-based floor contractors typically offer clients two types of warranties for their services. These are

• Manufacturer Warranties: manufacturer warranties cover any defects in the flooring product. While the validity periods of these types of warranties are usually determined by the product manufacturer and the type of flooring material, many flooring-related manufacturer warranties offered in the Bostin area are usually valid for –
  • • Hardwood: 25 years or more
    • Tiles: 10 – 25 years
    • Laminate: 10 – 30 years
    • Vinyl: 10 – 20 years
    • Carpet: 10 – 20 years

These types of warranties are also typically nontransferable, meaning that any coverage they offer only extends to the original product buyer. However, some manufacturer warranties may include a transferability option that allows their protection to pass from one party to another. Note that this transferability is usually only applicable to flooring materials that are installed in residential dwellings.

• Installation Warranties: installation warranties cover any defects or errors in the work done by the floor installer. These types of warranties typically have validity periods of at least one year.

Finding out whether or not you will be given warranties for your required flooring services is a crucial area to consider when selecting floor installers in Boston, and you should always get confirmation on this before finalizing agreements with any floorer in the city. It is equally important to carefully read any warranties that you are offered to understand their terms and avoid situations or actions that can result in these warranties being voided. Examples of these include:

• Improper installation of the flooring material
• Unapproved repairs
• Negligence, poor maintenance, and improper use of the installed flooring material
• Defects or damages caused by natural disasters

Will You Handle Clean-up after the Flooring Installation?

Finding out if your preferred flooring contractor takes responsibility for cleaning up after your floor projects and disposing of any debris generated during the job is another crucial area to consider when searching for flooring contractors in Boston. Floor installations and replacements typically generate a lot of debris, especially when done in commercial spaces, so you should always check for flooring contractors that offer post-installation clean-up as part of their services. Ensure that this is included in your service contract and that the clean-up work is completed before the new flooring is officially used.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 540 work-related injuries were recorded among floor installers and floor finishers in 2020 alone. As such, even though Boston-based flooring contractors are only mandated to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, you should always ensure that any flooring contractor you hire also carries general liability and professional liability insurance. General liability insurance covers any injuries and property damage that may occur during the execution of your flooring project or as a direct result of this project, while professional liability insurance covers any errors or defects caused by the contractor.

To this end, ask your prospective flooring contractors to provide you with proof of their insurance coverage before signing any agreements with them. Reach out to the appropriate insurance providers to validate the contractor's insurance coverage and to confirm that their minimum insurance limits will be adequate for the scope of your project. You can also contact the Boston Regional Office of the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents at (617) 727-4900 and (800) 323-3249 to get more information on state-mandated workers' compensation insurance for Boston-based flooring contractors.