The state of Kentucky has no state-wide licensing requirements for commercial and residential contractors. While this might be a good thing for eager entrepreneurs, it may not be the best thing to protect customers. When hiring a company to install new flooring, homeowners will benefit by researching contractors before signing any contracts.
There are many Kentucky flooring contractors available for work by both commercial and residential customers. If you need to find a flooring contractor in Kentucky use this map to get their address, phone number, and driving directions. Call to find out what their operating hours are and whether or not they deal with hardwood, vinyl, laminate, carpet, tile, concrete, or epoxy. These contractors may provide a variety of flooring services such as installation, refinishing, sanding, cleaning, and repairing.
The Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing website lists information on the professions that require licensing. Since residential contractors are not on the list, care should be taken before hiring someone in this field.
Word of mouth recommendations are commonly used when selecting a flooring contractor in Kentucky. If an unfamiliar company is considered, it's important try to vet as many references as possible. It's also important to know the reputation of the company and how they handled previous similar jobs.
Homeowners are encouraged to request an on-site visit by a potential contractor. The contractor should have the opportunity to thoroughly assess the project and provide a written estimate. It's advisable to obtain at least two comparable quotes to see how they all stack up.
If using a flooring contractor where no license requirements are necessary, it is a good idea to look into the complaints procedure should anything go wrong with the project.
Due to the lack of licensing laws relating to building contractors in Kentucky, there isn't a governing body that would be responsible for consumer complaints. If an issue does arise with a Kentucky contractor however concerns can be raised with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction or the Office of the Attorney General at 502-696-5300
It is wise to address the complaint to the construction company itself first, but if all else fails, it may be necessary to seek the advice of a lawyer.
Flooring installation issues often occur if the person installing it is not familiar with the material. Certain types of flooring must be allowed to adjust to the climate by remaining exposed for a few days before installation. This reduces the risk of buckling or gaps in the finished work. Kentucky's humid summers mean flooring installations must be done with care and awareness of the effects of moisture on different flooring products. Other installation problems include squeaky floors, cracks in finished work, moisture rising from the floor and even rapid discolouration shortly after installation.
If the homeowner is doing the flooring installation, it's important to research everything there is to know about the material and the installation process. Preparation of the surface and flooring material usually reduces the incident rate but it is critical to know the essential steps for floor installation. Otherwise, a professional installer makes the most sense.
The Kentucky Route 2014 Bridge in Bell County was constructed in 1873, and is made mostly of iron. It's known for its one-of-a-kind top chord, but also features an interesting style of flooring.
What makes the flooring of the bridge so unusual is that it is made out of wood truss beams which are connected with pins. Although the bridge is no longer structurally sound for 21st-century loads, the floor supports lighter weights it is extremely strong.