wood flooring Archives - Inspired Remodels

flooring contractor installed herringbone pattern wood planks in home entryway

Checklist for Hiring a Flooring Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

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.

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.

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.

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.
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, Houzz, etc.).
Can 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).

Inspired Remodels for Residential 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.

Flooring Contractor Uses Biophilic Design in Orange County

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / 1 Comment

Biophilic design evolved from Biophilia and was introduced by Stephen Kellert in 1983. It has gained popularity ever since. This design connects our indoor living spaces with the outdoor environment through design. Inspired Remodels, an Orange County flooring contractor, understands that the choice of flooring materials and colors plays a key role in the overall biophilic design. Think of a color palette that resonates with the local Orange County landscape, from desert to mountains, sea, and sky. Consider natural and man-made materials that emulate their natural counterparts.

after flooring contractor installs grey flooring in living area

Grey wood floors, plants, and natural fiber rug contribute to biophilic design

Flooring Material Options

Any Orange County flooring contractor that uses biophilic design looks first to natural materials. Some examples of natural materials that could be used for flooring options include stone, wood, bamboo, concrete, or even tile made to look like these materials.

Natural Stone

For the Orange County landscape, slate, sandstone, and travertine offer the rugged textures and tones of our beautiful mountains and rock formations. The use of a matte finish maintains the earthy look of the stone. It is important to note that natural stone may not be right for every home as it does require regular maintenance and sealing.

Engineered Wood

While any wood does the job, selecting lighter tones or weathered woods maintains the biophilic aesthetic and complements other natural design elements. Woods like oak or hickory bring warmth while mimicking the sun-bleached look of our arid region. Available from most brands are wide planks which help to maintain the natural feel. Engineered wood has shifted from the shiny, polished look of the 90’s to a more matte or wire-brushed finish.

Alternative Tile Options

Natural stone or engineered wood may not be the right fit for every home. If you are looking for the biophilic aesthetic without the care and maintenance of natural materials, tile brands like Arizona Tile have created porcelain tiles made to look like wood, concrete, slate, or even marble.

Color Schemes

Natural finishes make the ideal starting point for color options. Matte finishes maintain the aesthetic. The flooring color should complement or contrast with the other colors used in the room.

Popular not only to biophilic design but also deemed as one of the industry’s trends for 2025, earth tones. Think colors that appear naturally. Colors such as sandy beige, soft taupe, or warm terracotta pair well with rust red, ochre, or burnt orange to mirror the rocks in the Santa Ana mountains.

Neutral grays mimic the weathered look of rugged stone and mountain shadows. This flooring color pairs well with warm walls and balances cool tones in the room.

Orange County flooring contractor photo after installing wood LVP in kitchen with green cabinets and white countertop

LVP looks like wood

Desert greens like sage or olive echo native flora. Soft blues and blush pinks bring in the colors of the Pacific and sky at dusk or dawn. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVP) planks in ash or oak naturally match these colors.

Accents in Natural Finishes

Other ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home include accents and accessories.

Wood accents. Things like floating shelves, mantels, or accent walls finished in a natural wood bring natural warmth into the space and embrace the tones of biophilic design.
Natural fiber rugs and carpet. Whether sisal, jute, seagrass or another natural fiber, accent rugs or even carpet are available through brands like our partners at Fibreworks.

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Orange County Flooring Contractor for Biophilic Design

Not every flooring contractor in Orange County understands the use of biophilic design. Get your flooring through Inspired Remodels and you will be assured that your design incorporates biophilic design if that’s your preference.
Bring your design ideas to Inspired Remodels and reap the benefits of a truly inspired design for years to come. Schedule a consultation today.

Orange County Flooring Contactor Sheds Light On Common DIY Flooring Mistakes

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Are you thinking about installing new flooring in your home? It’s tempting to take the DIY route to save a few bucks. But before you dive in, consider this: DIY flooring projects often end up costing more in the long run. Why? Because without the proper know-how, you’re bound to make easily avoidable mistakes. Ask any seasoned Orange County flooring contractor about common DIY mistakes. You will hear about these common mistakes.

Not Understanding the Importance of Preparation

DIYers often underestimate the importance of preparation. Skipping crucial steps like proper subfloor preparation or moisture testing leads to flooring disasters. Without a level surface or proper moisture protection, failure waits in the wings. The flooring fails sooner rather than later.

For example, that fabulous wood flooring that’s all the rage now requires acclimation. Whether installed by a DIY’er or a pro, wood flooring material needs time to acclimate to the environment before installation. Pros know how to open and stack flooring planks and understand how long the acclimation process takes.

Many DIY enthusiasts overlook this critical step. Their floors warp or buckle over time and only then do they call in a pro.

Orange County flooring contractor uses wood-look tile to create spa feeling with white marble walls and white soaking tub

Wood-look tile offers a waterproof alternative to wood in the bathroom

Picking the Wrong Flooring

Selecting the right flooring material for your space is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. However, many DIYers make the mistake of choosing based solely on appearance, without considering factors like durability, maintenance requirements, or suitability for the room’s purpose. They end up with great flooring in the wrong room or the wrong house. Environment and lifestyle matter.

When you work with an Orange County flooring contractor, they serve as advisors as well as installers. These pros won’t put wood floors in the bathroom, they’ll advise you to pick wood-look porcelain or ceramic.

Pros know what flooring stands up to high foot traffic from people and pets. DIYers lack this expertise.

Stair flooring is not a DIY project

Poor Measuring and Installing Tools

Every flooring pro knows the maxim “Measure twice, cut once”. Unfortunately, many DIYers fail to heed this advice. This equals wasted materials, material shortages, and a patchy appearance to the final product.

Even a small measurement error can result in gaps, uneven seams, or misaligned tiles or planks. Even if they measure correctly, DIYers often lack the skills, precision, and attention to detail required for proper installation. Complex techniques like pattern matching, seam sealing, or proper adhesive application require practice.

Poorly measured and installed flooring looks amateurish and fails to stand up to wear and tear.

after bathroom remodel flooring contractor shows grey and white pattern tile flooring and blue vanity

This tile pattern is no problem for an Orange County flooring contractor

Go With a Seasoned Orange County Flooring Contractor

Sure, the allure of DIY seems appealing. But, tackling a flooring project without the necessary expertise leads to costly and unattractive mistakes. From improper preparation and measurement errors to poor installation techniques and material selection, the risks far outweigh the potential savings.

Avoid these risks. Work with a professional Orange County flooring contractor like Inspired Remodeling. These pros bring the knowledge, skills, and tools to get the job done right the first time.