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Inspired Remodels

kitchen flooring

Checklist for Hiring a Flooring Contractor

When buying new flooring for your home, both the flooring material and the flooring contractor are important. But if you had to choose one as more important, the contractor wins every time. Good materials can’t compensate for bad installation, but good installation can elevate even basic materials.

So, use this handy checklist for hiring a flooring contractor.

Great floors start with great flooring contractors

Why the Flooring Contractor Matters

A great contractor makes even average flooring look amazing, but a bad contractor ruins even the best flooring.

Installation Impacts Durability

No matter how expensive or high-end the flooring you buy, a poor installation job with uneven subfloors, bad cuts, or wrong adhesives results in a waste of money. Instead of years of beauty, you get:

  • premature wear and tear
  • buckling or gapping
  • moisture issues
  • voided manufacturer warranties

Local Contractors Know What Works in Orange County

A skilled, local flooring contractor understands which materials are best suited for each space in the house.  Different rooms present different challenges. For example, bathrooms need moisture resistance, and high-traffic areas require durability. Entry areas must take on everything that comes through the door.

An experienced contractor often catches issues homeowners miss, saving money and headaches down the line.

Flooring contractor after picture: Hardwood flooring on stairs and landing

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Precision and Craftsmanship Matter

Even luxury flooring looks cheap if transitions are sloppy, planks aren’t staggered correctly, or seams show. A quality installer brings the craftsmanship needed for a clean, professional look.

flooring contractor after bathroom remodel with white tile floors

A Quality Flooring Contractor Keeps an Eye on the Details

An experienced contractor develops an eye for the smallest details. These contractors know that much of the success of a floor comes before the first plank or tile is laid. They know what flooring requires acclimation and how to acclimate properly. When it comes time to install, they know how to:

  • test and level subfloors
  • handle moisture barriers
  • trim around obstacles cleanly
  • dispose of old flooring properly

Flooring Contractor Checklist

Use this checklist when evaluating flooring contractors. Download and print this version before you talk to contractors.

Credentials & Verification

  • Licensed in your state or county for flooring installation.
  • Bonded and insured (liability and workers’ compensation).
  • Provides a written contract with clear terms and itemized costs.
  • Can provide a W-9 or proof of business registration (for tax/legal purposes).

Experience & Expertise

  • Specializes in the type of flooring you’re installing (e.g., tile, hardwood, LVP).
  • Has at least 3-5 years of installation experience in residential or commercial work.
  • Knowledgeable about subfloor prep, underlayment, and moisture barriers.
  • Can advise on material compatibility for your space (e.g., pets, climate, foot traffic).

Past Work & Reputation

  • Shares before-and-after photos or a portfolio of completed jobs.
  • Has positive online reviews (Google, Yelp, Angi, etc.).
  • Provides at least 2-3 references you can actually call.
  • No unresolved Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints.

Estimates & Transparency

  • Provides a written estimate, including labor, materials, prep, cleanup, and disposal.
  • Breaks down pricing for add-ons, such as stairs, transitions, baseboards, or floor leveling.
  • Offers a realistic timeline and start date.
  • Answers questions clearly and doesn’t pressure you to rush a decision

Jobsite Conduct & Cleanup

  • Cleans up daily and protects other parts of your home.
  • Uses proper tools and follows manufacturer installation guidelines.
  • Provides a warranty on workmanship (typically 1-2 years minimum).

custom kitchen remodeling after picture white and brown cabinets stainless steel appliances La Cabana windows

Inspired Remodels for Residential and Commercial Flooring

When evaluating flooring contractors, be sure to talk to Inspired Remodels for your Orange County flooring needs.

You will deal with a local company that checks all the boxes. Schedule an estimate today.

 

 

 

Orange County Flooring Contractor Introduces Truly Luxury LVP

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Orange County Flooring Contractor Introduces Truly Luxury LVP

Most people consider luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring a low-end option for flooring. Once upon a time, in the product’s infancy, LVP flooring lacked durability and beauty. Not today. Inspired Remodels, the premier Orange County flooring contractor, proudly includes the CORETec Premium line of LVP flooring in their showroom offering. Here’s why.

Orange county flooring contractor after picture with Walnut color Floors with step

Truly Luxury Flooring for Luxury Homes

COREtec Premium products bring you the thickest plank flooring you can imagine in an LVP plank. You enjoy enhanced stain resistance and unbeatable comfort and beauty without the hassle of wood floor care.

The CORETec wood plastic composite (WPC) core provides a softness underfoot that is impossible to achieve with traditional hardwood flooring. It also offers the assurance of a core that won’t warp or buckle because it is completely waterproof.

The stone plastic composite (SPC) found in other flooring products results in a flooring plank that is cooler and doesn’t absorb impacts as well. Why is impact absorption important? Stand in the kitchen for an extended period of time to prepare a large meal or special dish, and your body will tell you why it is important.

cutaway of COREtec flooring showing layersComfort and Beauty

Recently, flooring contractors like Inspired Remodels gathered in Dana Point to learn about the latest improvements in flooring products. Many manufacturers displayed beautiful flooring.

What impressed the flooring experts about CORETEec planks is the integrated foamy, resilient coreThis core absorbs some of the pressure from the feet, reducing stress on the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back.

Standing or walking on an extremely hard surface (think ceramic tile, hardwood) requires muscles to constantly make little adjustments to maintain stability. This creates muscle fatigue. It seems contrary, but the slightly softer surface provides more give, and this reduces strain on leg and core muscles. When you walk, the WPC core disperses the impact, so less force transfers to your body.

small dog on LVP floor

COREtec offers pet-friendly options

Better Than Wood?

Wood and bamboo flooring requires acclimation before installation. Skip this step and deal with warping, buckling, and anything but a beautiful floor.

LVP requires no acclimation period. In addition, COREtec planks feature beveled edges that add to plank definition and realism when installed.

The texture and appearance of the graining on the planks match. You see wood but enjoy a surface that requires much less maintenance.

These LVP planks offer pet- and kid-friendly options that aren’t available in natural wood. Busy families appreciate the forgiving and easy-care option afforded by COREtec premium LVP flooring.

 

Orange County Flooring Contractor Offers LVP

Ready to see the CORETec difference?  Make an appointment with Inspired Remodels. Meet with a flooring contractor who matches your budget, lifestyle, and design dreams with the most appropriate flooring for your needs.

Browse the showroom with a design professional who turns new flooring dreams into new flooring reality. As part of a whole home remodel or just an update to a room, find the right flooring for your home.

 

 

 

How to Use Color in Kitchen Remodeling: Tips for SoCal Homes

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on How to Use Color in Kitchen Remodeling: Tips for SoCal Homes

Kitchen remodeling breathes new life into a home. In Orange County, where style reigns, creating a high-end kitchen relies on the creative use of color. From cabinetry to flooring, backsplashes, and lighting, the right color choices transform your kitchen into a stunning, functional space.

Kitchen remodeling after with Black and white kitchen design with matte gold accents

Cabinetry: The Heart of Kitchen Design

Cabinets constitute the largest visual feature in most kitchens, making their color choice critical. Consider neutral tones like white, cream, or gray for a high-end look. These timeless shades give your kitchen a spacious and elegant feel.

Opt for deep navy, forest green, or even black and make a bold statement. These darker tones create a luxurious atmosphere and pair beautifully with brass or gold hardware. Orange County kitchens that draw on the environmental beauty of our area pull in soft blues or sage green without creating dark rooms.

Ladera Ranch kitchen remodeling after showing contrasting quartz countertops

For a stunning and stylish statement, mix cabinet colors. Use a neutral base for the upper cabinets and a richer tone for the lower ones or the island. This two-tone approach adds depth and visual appeal, creating a standout kitchen.

Kitchen Remodeling and Your Flooring Choice

Your choice of kitchen flooring provides another avenue to play with color in kitchen remodeling. For a warm and inviting feel, opt for light wood such as natural oak or ash shades. These tones work well with both contemporary and classic kitchen designs. That makes them the safe choice for long-term appeal.

Kitchen remodeler after photo White and walnut kitchen with blue glass herringbone backsplash

If you prefer tile flooring, consider wood-look tiles. They offer the beauty of wood and the durability of tile. Or look for traditional floor tiles with patterned or textured designs in neutral or earth tones.

Backsplashes: A Canvas for Creativity

Planning the backsplash provides a playground or having fun with color. Subway tiles in white or neutral tones serve as the most classic choice. But modern Orange County kitchen remodeling projects often feature backsplash tiles as art. Glossy tiles in rich tones like teal, emerald, or cobalt blue bring energy to your kitchen.

White shaker style kitchen cabinets with blue backsplash and quartzite countertops

For a more subdued, high-end look, consider marble backsplashes with natural veining. These offer subtle eye-catching patterns with a classic look. Orange County coastal kitchen remodels use tiles in beach-inspired hues like aqua or sandy beige to match the coastal vibe.

Balance your backsplash with the rest of the kitchen’s color palette to maintain harmony.

Lighting For Function and Mood

Lighting does more than illuminate the kitchen—it influences how colors appear. Choose fixtures that complement your kitchen’s overall style casting the best light on your color scheme.

Pendant lights over an island or dining area allow the introduction of metallic tones like gold, bronze, or copper for warmth. Opt for matte black or sleek chrome finishes for a modern or industrial touch.

Consider the lightbulbs you use.  Cool white bulbs make whites and grays appear crisp and clean, ideal for a minimalist kitchen. Warm yellow bulbs create a cozy atmosphere and enhance natural wood tones. Include dimmer switches so you can adjust the brightness based on the mood and occasion.

kitchen remodel incorporates open concept for kitchen and dining areas

Kitchen Remodeling Tips for Picking a Cohesive Color Palette

Start with your primary palette and build from there. For example, if you opt for white cabinets, bring in warmth through wood floors and color through the backsplash. If you love dark cabinets, balance them with lighter floors and countertops.

Don’t forget to consider the colors in the adjoining rooms. This gives the entire home a feeling of cohesiveness.

Orange County kitchen and bath contractor after photo with furniture style kitchen island

Kitchen Remodeling in Southern California Style

For a Southern California kitchen that reflects the Orange County climate and lifestyle, work with an Orange County kitchen remodeler. Inspired Remodels helps incorporate colors and finishes in a design that creates a space that feels fresh and welcoming. From sandy neutrals, ocean blues, and earthy greens to marble, quartz, and natural stone, you’ll see options for materials that not only give you a high-end look but also stand up to daily wear and tear.