A little planning makes room for a smoother installation. Use this checklist to get your home ready, know what to discuss with your installer, and protect your new floor after the work is complete.
Agree the responsibilities first
Your written estimate comes first. Agree who is responsible for each task before work begins. Furniture moving, old-floor removal, disposal, subfloor preparation, trim and appliance work are not automatically included. Confirm the scope and any changes in writing.
Before You Start
Cabinets, painting and stairs: plan the order before installation begins.
Should kitchen cabinets go in before the flooring?
Recommended approach: Choose the sequence with your flooring installer and cabinet installer before work starts. For floating click flooring, fixed cabinets and islands should normally be installed first, with the floor fitted around them and the manufacturer’s required expansion space maintained. Do not trap or anchor through a floating floor unless the exact product’s written instructions expressly allow the proposed arrangement.
Cabinets first — advantages: Helps keep a floating floor free to move and avoids using flooring beneath fixed units. Cabinet installation also happens before the new floor is exposed to that work.
Cabinets first — trade-offs: Edges and toe-kicks need careful planning. A later cabinet-layout change may expose areas without flooring. Check finished floor heights, dishwasher removal clearance and other appliance openings before installation.
Flooring first — advantages: Where the selected system permits it, flooring first can give continuous coverage beneath cabinets and more flexibility for a future layout change.
Flooring first — trade-offs: Uses more material and exposes the new floor to cabinet-fitting work. Fixed units may restrict a floating floor’s movement. Glue-down and nail-down systems can have different requirements; never assume approval for one product applies to another.
Should painting happen before or after flooring?
Recommended approach: Complete heavy sanding, ceiling work and main wall coats before the flooring, with wet work dry and room conditions suitable for installation. Plan final trim painting and small touch-ups afterwards. For stair projects, leave the final stairwell wall coat until the stair installation is complete.
Painting first — advantages: Keeps most dust, paint splashes and ladder work away from the finished floor, with easier access for larger decorating tasks.
Painting first — trade-offs: Installing flooring or replacing trim can scuff nearby paint or expose an unfinished edge, so some final touch-ups may still be needed.
Painting afterwards — advantages: Lets the painter finish around the installed trim and address marks or exposed edges after the flooring work.
Painting afterwards — trade-offs: Adds decorating traffic and spill risk over the new floor. Follow the flooring and paint manufacturers’ drying, curing and use instructions. Use suitable breathable, non-staining protection approved for the floor; do not apply adhesive tape directly to the new finish unless its manufacturer approves it.
Planning a stair installation?
Stairwell walls: leave final painting until afterwards
Removing and fitting stair treads, risers or trim can scuff nearby wall finishes, even with careful handling and protection. Plan the final stairwell wall painting and touch-ups after stair installation. This refers to the walls and trim, not painting the finished stair treads. Scuffs are possible, not inevitable on every job.
Older homes: assess small gaps before finishing
Some older Victoria homes have fragile plaster or drywall finishes around the stairs. Removing or fitting treads, risers or trim can disturb nearby finishes or reveal existing or previously hidden gaps. Small openings may become visible at wall-to-stair junctions, including beside neighbouring steps. Have the installer assess the cause before repairs: suitable cosmetic filler or caulk and final paint may be appropriate for a stable, non-structural finish joint. Larger, widening or moving gaps need further assessment, not simply filling over. Agree protection, any finishing repairs and responsibility in the written scope. These possibilities do not make every gap acceptable or excuse damage caused by poor workmanship.
01 · Confirm the plan
Before installation
- Confirm the rooms, selected flooring, installation layout, trim and transitions with your installer. Discuss finished floor heights, door clearances and connections to adjoining floors.
- Agree who will move furniture, remove existing flooring, handle disposal, prepare the subfloor and reinstall trim. Do not remove flooring or attempt subfloor preparation yourself unless this has been agreed.
- Arrange access, keys, parking and a clear delivery route. Where applicable, confirm strata or building permission, elevator bookings and permitted work hours.
- Follow the product manufacturer’s requirements and your installer’s instructions for room conditions, HVAC, material storage and any acclimation. There is no single waiting period for every floor.
02 · Clear and protect your rooms
Before installation
- Remove loose items, rugs, small furniture, breakables, valuables and items from the floor. Empty furniture that will be moved and agree arrangements for large or heavy pieces.
- Disconnect and safely store electronics and loose cables where appropriate. Ask for help with heavy equipment; do not disconnect anything that requires a qualified trade.
- Discuss dust-control measures and protection for adjacent rooms and belongings. Installation can involve noise and dust; plan around rooms that may be temporarily unavailable.
03 · Check the existing floor and subfloor
Before installation
- Tell your installer about known leaks, damp areas, unevenness, movement or squeaks. Existing flooring may conceal conditions that can only be assessed once it is removed.
- Have the installer assess moisture, flatness, stability and suitability for the selected product. Any repairs, levelling or additional subfloor work should be assessed and agreed before the new floor is installed.
- If old flooring or adhesive may contain asbestos, leave it undisturbed until assessed by a qualified professional. Do not sand, scrape or remove suspect materials yourself.
04 · Plan appliances and services
Kitchen preparation
- Confirm whether appliances need to be moved, who will move them and how adjacent cabinets, doors and appliance clearances will be handled.
- Arrange disconnection and reconnection of gas, plumbing or electrical services by appropriately qualified trades where required. Do not assume this is part of the flooring installation.
- Clear counters and access routes as agreed. Plan for any temporary loss of kitchen access and protect food, dishes and small appliances from the work area.
05 · Give the team a safe workspace
Installation day
- Keep children and pets away from the work area, tools and materials. Maintain a clear entrance and safe routes to any rooms that remain in use.
- Confirm a contact person for questions. Review the agreed layout and transitions before installation proceeds, and discuss unexpected conditions before additional work is authorised.
- Ask which areas are off limits and when they can be used again. Follow the installer’s guidance rather than stepping onto an unfinished floor.
06 · Walk through and care for your floor
After installation
- Walk through the completed work with your installer. Review transitions, trim and any outstanding agreed items, and ask for the product’s care and warranty information.
- Confirm when walking, furniture replacement, rugs and cleaning are permitted. Adhesives, finishes and different flooring systems can have different curing or use restrictions.
- Use suitable furniture protection and the manufacturer’s approved cleaning methods. Ask how to store any agreed spare flooring and who to contact if a concern appears.
Questions about your project?
Discuss preparation at your free estimate so everyone knows what happens next.
General preparation guidance only. Product-specific manufacturer instructions and the agreed installation scope take precedence. This guide does not replace a site assessment or specialist advice.