Fitting - Who?, When?

Who should fit your floor will depend largely on the product purchased, where it is to be fitted, the technical advice available to support you should you decide to fit your own floor, and your own DIY skills.

Some floors, such as herringbone parquet that are unlikely to be successful unless fitted by a professional. Similarly, some sites those with level issues, or a very complicated shape, could cause problems for the amateur. With good technical advice however, and the right tools, there are many products that are suitable for DIY. Bear in mind though, that it is easy to make mistakes and this should only be approached after careful consideration and discussion with the supplier of the floor.

If you do have your floor professionally installed, the cost will depend on the product, the method of fitting and the finishing involved, but you should count between £25 and £45 per m² for plank floors and at least double this for parquet depending on the size and shape of the room. If you are comparing quotes, make sure that you check whether the fitting price includes any fitting materials (adhesive, batons, nails) and any finishing products (wax oil, lacquer) required, as these can make a significant difference and that you always have a price for the job not an hourly rate !

A solid wood floor cannot be fitted on the day it is delivered. It will need time to acclimatise to the environment in which you are going to lay it.

This may involve some expansion or shrinkage of the boards and it is important that this happens before rather than after it is fitted.

For effective acclimatisation the boards should be stacked in a dry, warm environment, preferably criss-cross style so that air can circulate around and between them. They should not be stored in or near rooms with fresh plaster or render (see  Plaster), and never outside, however well wrapped they might be !

The exact length of time and manner in which the timber will need to acclimatise will depend on its species, the season and the site into which it will be fitted, but a guideline is 1 - 2 weeks. You should always ask your supplier for advice.