PHASES OF INSTALLATION

Depending on the scope of your project, it may be broken down into two phases: installation followed by sanding and refinishing. The timeline for these phases will be determined by Elevated Hardwood Floors. For refinishing projects, the process will be completed in full, including the application of the final coat.

HUMIDIFIERS

Solid hardwood is a natural, living material. We recommend using a humidifier to keep the humidity in your home between 30-35%. Without this, the low moisture levels can cause the hardwood planks to expand and contract, which may lead to issues like cupping or crowning. In Colorado’s dry climate, maintaining proper humidity levels is essential to protect your hardwood floors. By maintaining consistent humidity, you help preserve the beauty and stability of your hardwood floors over time.

HARDWOOD DELIVERY

Your hardwood materials will be delivered by the supplier 2-14 days before your project starts. Please expect a 4-hour delivery window. The exact delivery date will depend on the species of hardwood and the width of the planks, as wider planks and denser hardwoods require more acclimation time.

To ensure proper acclimation, please prepare a space in your home (not in the garage or basement) that’s up to 8’x8’. This helps the wood adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity, reducing expansion and contraction once installed. Keep in mind, some expansion and contraction are natural for hardwood, especially during Colorado’s dry months, which may cause seasonal gapping.

All doors and windows should be in place, and your HVAC system should be running under normal living conditions. Please make sure all wet work, such as drywall texture or spray painting, is completed before the material delivery. If wet work is still ongoing, it can affect the hardwood’s integrity. If you need to adjust your delivery or installation date due to these factors, please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule.

PREPARING FOR YOUR PROJECT START

To ensure a smooth start to your project, please take the following steps:

• Pets: Please keep all animals in a secure area away from the work areas.

• Clear the Work Area: All furniture, cleaning supplies, knick-knacks, and electronics (including loose cords) should be removed. We recommend taking down or pulling curtains away from the floor.

• Closet Areas: Ensure that all items from the lower part of your closet are removed so our team can access the entire floor area.

• Wall Items: Please remove any easily knocked-off items from walls to prevent damage during installation.

• Bathroom Work: If we are working in your bathroom, please note that the toilet will need to be removed. You may do this yourself or opt to have us handle it for you, at an additional charge. However, please keep in mind that a plumber will be needed to reset the toilet afterward.

• Baseboard Removal: If baseboards need to be removed, please be aware that they may break if brittle. While we will take care to avoid damage, we cannot guarantee that they will remain intact. You may need to perform paint touch-ups or caulking, which will be your responsibility. Please refer to our ‘Local Pros We Trust’ list to hire a professional. Caulking can also be provided by our team at an additional cost.

• Appliances: Appliances, such as your refrigerator, range, washer, and dryer, will need to be moved. We recommend hiring a professional from our ‘Local Pros We Trust’ list to safely move them. Please note that refrigerators on wheels can leave marks on your new floor if rolled directly on it. If you choose to move them yourself, we suggest using melamine or Masonite pads and ‘leap-frog’ them into place to prevent damage and avoid track marks.

• Home Access: To ensure we can begin work on time, please let us know if you’ll be present to allow access or if you prefer to provide a key, front door code, or garage code.

PROJECT START — DAY ONE

Your installation crew will arrive between 8:00–9:00 AM. If there are any delays, we will communicate this with you beforehand.

You are more than welcome to be in the home during the demolition, installation, and sanding portion of your project. You will not have access to the working areas during the staining and coating phases of your project.

To ensure the safety of your pets and our crew, please keep pets in a secure area away from the work areas throughout the duration of the project.

Equipment Setup: Weather permitting, some equipment may need to be set up outside. If the weather is not suitable, please prepare a space in the home or garage for this.

Power Requirements: A 220-volt power outlet is required to run our machinery, typically located behind your dryer or oven.

HVAC System: Please turn off the HVAC system during the staining and finishing process to prevent dust and debris from settling into the stain and finish.

DUST CONTAINMENT

We prioritize cleanliness and your health during every sanding and refinishing project. That’s why we use a state-of-the-art dust containment system designed to capture up to 95% of the dust generated during the sanding process. This system significantly minimizes the amount of dust that remains in your home, leaving only a small fraction behind. While some dust may still settle in hard-to-reach areas, the majority is safely contained, ensuring a cleaner environment and reducing allergens in your home.

STAIN SAMPLES

Two stain samples will be applied for you to choose from. Any additional samples will incur a $75 charge. Please note that stain colors may vary due to the wood species, lighting, wear, and material origin. If attempting to match an existing floor, there may be differences in species, grading, stain, and sheen. Once a stain color is selected and the project is completed, if the client is dissatisfied with the chosen color, it will be the client’s responsibility to cover the costs of a re-sand.

UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

As with any construction or home renovation project, unexpected situations may arise. Since we cannot always anticipate what previous contractors have done, surprises can happen—this is quite common! Rest assured, we're here to help every step of the way. Please be aware that any changes to the project scope, such as substrate repairs, damaged materials, or additional client requests, may result in additional charges and could affect the overall project timeline.

VENTS

If your project includes flush mount hardwood vents, we will finish them separately to prevent the finish from bonding the vent to the frame. Each vent will be numbered and left in your garage. Simply match the numbers and drop the vents into place when you're ready.

FLOOR PROTECTION

Floor protection and covering is essential because hardwood floors are vulnerable to damage from dust, debris, spills, heavy foot traffic, and the equipment used by other trades during a renovation. Without proper protection, the finish can get scratched, dented, or stained, and the wood can become exposed to moisture or other substances that could cause warping or discoloration. Using high-quality floor coverings helps safeguard your investment and ensures that your hardwood floors remain in pristine condition throughout the remainder of the renovation process.

RESCHEDULING YOUR PROJECT

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and we’ll do our best to accommodate any changes to your schedule. However, please note that if a project is rescheduled within 14 days of the scheduled start date, a $300 fee will be applied to the final invoice. If a project is canceled, the deposit will be forfeited.

HARDWOOD FLOOR CARE

Within 6-8 hours of the final coat application, you will be able to walk on the floors with socks only. Please wait an additional three days to put furniture back and re-enter pets into the home, as the floor is still curing. Please wait two weeks before placing area rugs on the hardwood floor.

For daily or weekly cleaning, we recommend Loba products, including their Floor Cleaner and Floor Cleaner Concentrate. Pairing these with the Loba spray mop and microfiber cloth ensures a thorough and gentle clean. To maintain the beauty and longevity of your hardwood floors, we suggest a buff and recoat every 3-7 years and a full sand and refinish every 5-9 years, depending on your lifestyle and floor usage.

Important: We do not recommend using products like Orange Glow, Murphy's Oil, or any cleaners that enhance shine, as they can leave residue, cause buildup, and make future refinishing difficult.

OUR WARRANTY

We stand behind the quality of our workmanship and provide a one-year warranty on the labor for installation, sanding, and refinishing. This warranty covers defects in workmanship but does not extend to:

• Material defects (covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, if applicable)

• Damage caused by improper maintenance, environmental factors, moisture, and/or humidity (see “Humidifiers” section above)

• Normal wear and tear, scratches, dents, or fading due to UV exposure.

• Issues arising from subfloor conditions, structural movement, or pre-existing problems.

Any warranty claims must be submitted in writing within the warranty period. We reserve the right to inspect and determine the appropriate resolution, which may include repair or rework.