It is a fact that almost every floor will eventually need to be replaced. Years of wear and tear cause cracks to appear in hardwood flooring and it is dangerous to leave them untreated. Do-it-Yourself packs fail to mention the complexity involved in laying a new floor and it is common for individuals to make mistakes when attempting to change a floor. Hiring a professional in South Carolina to do the job may cost homeowners less in the long run. A novice's mistakes are sometimes more costly than a contractor's fee.
There are many South Carolina flooring contractors available for work by both commercial and residential customers. If you need to find a flooring contractor in South Carolina 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.
In South Carolina, a contractor must be licensed to work on a residential building task worth more than $200 and a commercial building job worth more than $5,000. In order to find out if a contractor is licensed, visit the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. It is important to note that there are different bodies which license residential and commercial contractors.
Consumers dissatisfied with the conduct of a flooring contractor should fill out the official complaint form of the Office of Investigations and Enforcement (OIE). Once this is completed, the form should be sent to:
Office of Investigations and Enforcement
Post Office Box 11329
Columbia, South Carolina 29211-1329
You can also use their online complaint submission tool. When the OIE finishes its investigation, the case is then forwarded to the Investigative Review Committee (IRC) and this body recommends a course of action. The IRC may ask the consumer to testify in a hearing before the IRC commission if the matter is not initially resolved.
Floors must be acclimated before installation. If the floor is brought in from the contractor's truck and immediately fitted it will expand beyond its specifications. If the floor is not correctly rolled there is the possibility it will start to lift. It is also important to remove dust from the floor as this surface contamination could also compromise the newly laid floor. Separation of wooden planks laid on the floor is a common occurrence with wildly varying temperatures which may happen to South Carolina residents due to seasonal changes in the climate.
If the consumer is installing a floor in the basement, it may be a good idea to use carpet padding as this prevents excess moisture affecting the floor. This moisture could cause mildew and mold to grow underneath carpets which can cause health issues in some people. As wooden floors have a tendency to expand and contract depending on temperature and humidity, they should never be installed to fit tightly against a wall. A small amount of space must remain to allow for expansion. Failure to do this could result in the wood becoming warped.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs maintains a 'Buyer Beware' list designed to inform the public of every company in the state that has not responded to complaints or provided resolution on disputes. This list contains flooring contractors who have yet to take care of complaints filed against them. Information about consumer rights in South Carolina can be obtained online or by calling (803) 734-4214.