Fact:  Truth is most retailers do have access to the same or equivalent products so shopping for best price can be good, But as to the installation aspect (mostly sub-contractors) the quality and pricing can vary greatly. 

Fact:  All installers are not equivalent. Training and education is mandatory with today's products. Today's products demand the best flooring conditions and installation to even come close to satisfactory. Knowing what kind of surfaces that the products can be installed upon will be the deciding factor of the correct procedure and installation methods to be used to give the new flooring the best chance of longevity and service. Education is a must!

Fact: Retailers may make promises but they are totally at the mercy of the sub-contractor/installers they have hired. Retailers compete for your business.  Some are known for the lowest prices and even fewer are known for their quality installations. Many retailers hire and set the pricing of installation for their sub-contractors/employees. Retailers commonly make a profit on the products and installation. Since installation is sold through the retailer, the retailer has to look for bargain rates so that their profit margins remain high. The installer suffers the consequences by working for a lower price which in turn means that the job needs to be finished with the least expense and time. This usually translates into shoddy workmanship and cheap installation materials.

Fact: There are numerous retailers out there giving misguided or false information about the correct procedures and materials. Most consumers put trust into the sales people since they are perceived as the professional in their field. Most retailers and sales people have very little hands on experience with installation techniques and usually rely on video seminars and word of mouth from their own (under-paid) installers’ experiences.

Fact: Although these programs show some interesting ideas and information, many do not adhere to the guidelines and standards of the industry. Many of these shows are giving the public the illusion that anyone can do this kind of work. Fact is that there are much deeper issues then most of the cosmetics that the public can relate to. Again real educational training and real professionalism is a must!

Fact: These hard-surface products will make a beautiful surface but water damage to the substrates underneath is most likely unless a appropriate waterproofing system is utilized and installed correctly.

Fact: Large tile is actually much harder to install and requires a much more level plane for installation. Knowing proper substrate preparation is very important to a flat floor with little lippage problems between tiles.

Fact: This is totally false as this is usually a condition of the substrate prior to installation. Correct installation is a must for longevity of any product installed.