A Guide to Preparing Your Home Before Installing New Flooring

Before installing new flooring, a little planning saves time. It prevents problems and protects your investment. This is a deep dive into how to prepare your home step by step so installation runs smoothly. You’ll learn quick tasks to ready the room, check and prep the subfloor, acclimatise materials and protect belongings. Colourbank’s team is on hand if you want help at any stage.

Allowing your flooring to acclimatise is vital. This helps them adjust to the room’s temperature and reduces the risk of movement after installation. This will allow you to have a long-lasting and high-quality finish. Explore our flooring range.

By preparing the space, you are also protecting your belongings. By clearing the room, this ensures that no accidental damage happens and also reduces the dust. This can make the installation process faster.

At Colourbank, our team is always happy to help. We can support you through every step of preparation. Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. You can rely on our expertise from start to finish. 

What Should You Check Before Installation?

There are some quick, important tasks that you should complete before the installers arrive. This applies to whether you’re having a standard installation or fitting new flooring before a kitchen installation. 

• All furniture removed or arranged for moving
• Clear hallways, doors and stairs
• Remove any electronics
• Subfloor swept, clear and accessible 
• Doors and skirting decisions made and communicated 
• Ventilate the room and keep temperatures stable for adhesive-based floors
• Pets and children secured elsewhere 
• Parking and access arranged for fitters
• Flooring boxes acclimatised, if required
• Arrange for someone to greet the fitters, or leave clear access instructions 

Why Should You Clear the Space Before Installation?

Clearing the room gives fitters full access and speeds up the job. The first step is removing furniture and decor. This ensures that the fitters have full access to the room as well as reduces the risk of any damage. 

Many homeowners tend to move the lighter furniture, such as chairs, lamps and rugs, themselves. 

Any heavy furniture will need extra care. Use furniture sliders to move heavy pieces. They reduce the risk of scuffs and scratches. Fitters can often help with any heavier furniture if it is arranged in advance.

Remember to empty any wardrobes or built-in units if they are going to need moving. Doing this prevents any damage and also reduces their weight, making it easier to lift. 

Planning this ahead makes the flooring day much easier and more efficient for the installation team. 

Pro Tip: Label any boxes of removed items by rooms. It will speed up unpacking. 

Why Is Proper Subfloor Preparation So Important?

A clean and dry subfloor is the foundation for a long-lasting floor. It supports the new surface and will prevent any issues like movement or uneven wear. This will give your flooring the best chance possible. 

There are a few tasks that homeowners can complete before fitting day. We recommend sweeping and vacuuming to remove any dust and debris that may be on the floor. Keeping the area clear and clean will allow the fitters to work more efficiently 

Any old flooring will need to be removed before the new installation can happen. If arranged in advance, fitters can handle this. Some flooring can be lifted easily, while other floors may need specific tools. Understanding this early will help the project stay on track. 

Look out for early signs of damp or damage, and look for cracks, soft spots, bumps or uneven sections. If issues are found, fitters can apply screed or smoothing compound, or suggest a damp-proof solution. For more guidance, you can also read How to Keep Your House Warm and Reduce Heat Loss Through Floors

Signs of damp include:

• Musty or earthy smells 
• Patches of discolouration on the floor 
• Soft or spongy areas underfoot 
• Peeling adhesive or lifting old floor 

Our team can advise on the best approach for your home.

How Can You Protect Nearby Areas During Installation?

Properly protecting any adjacent rooms will ensure that your home stays safe and clean. 

• Use dust sheets or floor protection rolls over furniture or fittings
• Close doors and seal gaps with tape to limit dust travel. 
• Use a single entry route to the work area to reduce mess.
• When doing multiple rooms, work from the least to the most important to reduce rework.

Tip: Use adhesive-backed dust barriers or zipper doors for bigger projects 

How Should You Protect Your Electronics During Installation?

Before fitters arrive, it is recommended to unplug and store your electronics. Damage to TVs, speakers, computers and routers can happen during installation. Moving them will ensure that they don’t get damaged. This also keeps the cables out of the fitter’s way. Allowing them to install the flooring as quickly as possible. 

If you are moving cables, we recommend labelling them before you move them. We also recommend taking photos of the cable setup so you can easily put it back. This will allow you to move them all back much more easily. It also prevents any tangles or accidental damage. Cable ties can be really useful for this job. 

If you are having flooring installed in multiple rooms, we recommend finding temporary locations for your electronics. You may have to move your TV for a short period. While this can be annoying, it helps prevent damage. Therefore keeping your electronics safe. 

What Fixtures Need Attention Before Your Floor Is Installed?

Skirting boards are an important factor to consider during installation. You could remove them, replace them or leave them in place. If you are leaving them in place, the fitters can use scotia or beading to cover the extension gap. Each option leaves a different finish, so we recommend doing some research to determine which one suits what you want.

Removing the skirting gives a neater finish, but takes more time. Leaving it in place is quicker and is often more convenient. Scotia or beading provides a clean finish without causing any major disruption. Homeowners can choose the option that suits their style and budget. 

Door trimming may be required. New flooring can change the height of the floor, meaning that doors may not open as smoothly. Fitters or joiners can trim the doors if needed.

We also recommend removing any fragile decor or light fittings. Any low furniture or delicate items should be moved before the fitting begins. Fitters will advise if any adjustments are needed on the day. 

If you are still deciding on style options, you may want to explore current ideas in our 2025 Flooring Trends Guide. 

Why Do Some Flooring Materials Need Acclimation?

Certain flooring types need time to settle before installation. Wood, laminate and LVT can change size with temperature and humidity. By acclimating the flooring, you are reducing the risk of movement once the floor has been installed. This helps the floor boards stay stable and secure. 

The process to acclimate the floor is very simple. Leave the unopened boxes in the room for 24 to 48 hours. If your home is cold or damp, it may need more time.

Colourbank will always confirm the requirements of your specific flooring. Ensuring that your flooring is properly acclimatised means you will achieve the best finish. 

Ready For A Smooth Installation?

Preparing your home does not take long, but it makes a huge difference to the outcome of your flooring. Taking these simple steps will help to protect your flooring and keep the installation running smoothly. A well-prepared space will allow the fitters to work safely and efficiently. 

If you’d like guidance at any stage, Colourbank is here to help with friendly advice and fitting support.