How to Prepare Your Home for Wood Floor Installation

Installing a new wood floor is a big investment, and how well your home is prepared for the installation process can make a significant difference in the final result. Proper preparation ensures the flooring is laid smoothly, without unnecessary delays, damage, or additional costs. It also allows installers to work efficiently and safely, especially in homes with limited access, heavy furniture, or ongoing renovations.

Preparation is not just about clearing a room. It involves checking the subfloor, adjusting doors or trim if needed, managing dust, and ensuring your flooring has had time to acclimatise. If these steps are overlooked, even the best wood flooring can fail to perform as expected. That’s why planning is just as important as the quality of the product or the skill of your installer.

Finalise Other Renovations First

Before your wood floor installation begins, make sure that all major renovation work is fully completed. This includes activities such as painting walls and ceilings, plastering, plumbing, electrical rewiring, and even tiling or fitting new kitchen units.

Why does this matter? Because installing a wood floor too early in your renovation timeline exposes it to potential damage from dust, paint spills, and foot traffic by other tradespeople. It can also disrupt the acclimatisation process or even void your floor’s warranty.

If you’re unsure about timing, speak to our team for guidance. Our wood floor fitting experts can help you schedule installation at the ideal point in your renovation process to protect your investment and ensure the best possible results.

Clear the Space Completely

Before installation day, it’s essential to remove all furniture, personal belongings, and decorative items from the rooms where your new wood flooring will be installed. This includes not only large furniture like sofas, beds, and tables, but also smaller items such as lamps, artwork, rugs, electronics, and valuables.

Removing these items in advance helps prevent accidental damage and ensures your floor fitters can work without unnecessary delays. Don’t forget to empty built-in wardrobes or storage units if the flooring will be fitted inside them. If you need help moving heavy items, let your installer know in advance so arrangements can be made.

Want to know more about the installation process itself? Take a look at our detailed guide to professional floor fitting services in London.

Deal with Doors, Trim and Baseboards

To achieve a clean and professional finish, it’s important to remove or adjust any doors, skirting boards, and trim that may interfere with the new flooring. This includes baseboards, scotia, door casings, and threshold strips that may need to be trimmed or temporarily taken off.

In some cases, installers can work around existing trim by undercutting it, but removing these elements beforehand allows the flooring to be fitted underneath, resulting in a neater and more seamless appearance. If doors are likely to rub against the new flooring due to changes in height, they may also need to be trimmed.

Our team can assist with these adjustments during the installation process. To find out how we handle finishing details, visit our page on professional wood floor installation.

Plan for Door & Threshold Adjustments

When installing new wood flooring, there’s a good chance the floor height will change, especially if you’re replacing carpet, tiles, or older floorboards. This means your doors and thresholds may no longer clear the new surface and could require trimming or adjustment.

Failing to account for this can result in doors dragging, scraping, or not closing properly, which can damage both the door and your new floor. It's best to check clearances in advance and make arrangements for any necessary modifications.

If you’re unsure how much clearance you’ll need, our floor fitting specialists can assess your space during a free site visit and provide tailored advice.

Subfloor Assessment & Preparation

A successful wood floor installation depends on a stable, clean, and level subfloor. Before your new flooring can be fitted, the subfloor must be inspected and prepared accordingly. This includes checking for moisture, surface damage, and unevenness.

If the subfloor is uneven or damaged, your new floor may squeak, shift, or wear unevenly. Installers may use self-levelling compounds or plywood sheets to correct these issues. Moisture levels must also be checked—especially on concrete or screeded bases—to avoid future problems like warping or cupping.

Not sure if your subfloor is ready? Our team offers detailed advice as part of our professional installation services and will ensure your base is fully prepared before the first plank is laid.

Dust Control & Jobsite Preparation

Installing a new wood floor can generate dust and debris, especially if cutting, trimming, or sanding is involved. To protect your home and belongings, it’s essential to prepare the area properly in advance.

You can start by sealing off adjacent rooms with plastic sheeting or temporary barriers to contain dust. If you’re remaining in the home during installation, make sure to cover furniture and electronics in nearby rooms and isolate any HVAC vents to avoid spreading dust through the system.

It’s also helpful to designate a clear working area for installers—such as a garage, hallway, or outdoor space—where they can unpack and cut materials. This speeds up the process and keeps your indoor space cleaner.

Our team uses professional dust-containment methods as part of our service.

Ventilation, Safety, and Access

During the installation process, it’s important to maintain good ventilation in the working areas—especially if adhesives, sealants, or finishing products are used. Open windows and doors where possible to allow fresh air circulation and help reduce any lingering odours.

For safety reasons, ensure that children and pets are kept away from the installation zones. Tools, flooring planks, and adhesives can create hazards, and installers need space to work without interruption. If possible, arrange alternative access routes for other parts of your home to minimise disruption.

Not sure how to prepare your space safely? Our experienced team can advise you during a free site survey and help you plan your flooring project with minimal stress and maximum efficiency.

Do You Need Acclimation & Moisture Testing?

Yes—proper acclimation and moisture testing are critical steps for any wood floor installation. Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts based on temperature and humidity. If you skip this step, your floor could warp, cup, or develop gaps after installation.

For best results, let your new wood flooring rest in the room where it will be installed for at least 48–72 hours. This helps it adjust to the indoor climate. Additionally, your installer should test both the flooring and subfloor using a moisture meter to ensure compatibility and prevent long-term damage.

Our installers at FlooringFirst! follow strict industry standards for acclimation and moisture checks, giving you peace of mind and a floor that performs for years to come.

Installation Day Timeline & Tips

To make the most of your installation day, it’s helpful to understand how the process typically unfolds. Our team will arrive at a scheduled time and begin by inspecting the site and preparing the layout. Once the plan is confirmed, we’ll proceed with underlay (if applicable), followed by careful floor fitting.

Depending on the size of the project, installation may take anywhere from several hours to multiple days. During this time, it’s important to keep the area accessible, limit foot traffic, and avoid walking on freshly laid sections until advised.

If any final adjustments—such as door trimming or beading—are needed, these are usually done toward the end of the process. For the best experience, make sure you’re available to answer questions or approve finishing details. Our floor fitters will guide you through each step and keep you informed throughout.