A perfect floor installation starts long before the first plank is laid. Proper preparation — both of the space and the subfloor — is the single most important factor in determining how well your new flooring performs over its lifetime. Here's our professional 10-step checklist for Dubai flooring projects.
Before Installation Day
Book a Professional Survey
Before anything else, have a flooring professional measure the space accurately and assess the existing floor condition. This identifies any subfloor issues early, confirms the correct quantity of materials, and ensures an accurate quote. Our free home visit covers all of this — and it takes about 45 minutes.
Choose Your Flooring Product
Once you have the survey results and a written quote, select your flooring product. Ask to see physical samples in the actual room — lighting conditions vary significantly between showrooms and homes, especially in Dubai's natural and artificial light conditions. Don't commit based on showroom samples alone.
Confirm All Materials Are Delivered
Ensure all flooring materials, adhesives, underlay, and accessories are delivered at least 48–72 hours before installation. Check the delivery against your order — report any damage or shortfall immediately. Missing items on installation day cause costly delays.
Allow Materials to Acclimatise
Leave all materials in the rooms where they'll be installed for at least 48 hours before installation. This allows the products to reach the ambient temperature and humidity of the space, reducing the risk of expansion or contraction after installation — particularly important for laminate and wooden flooring.
Clear and Prepare the Space
Move all furniture out of the rooms to be floored. Remove existing skirting boards carefully if they're to be reused. Check that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Fill any cracks with appropriate filler. If you have underfloor heating, turn it off 48 hours before installation.
On Installation Day
Confirm the Day Plan
Confirm the installation start time with your team. Ensure clear vehicle access, parking, and a suitable entrance for materials. Have the property fully cleared and accessible from the agreed start time — delays cost everyone.
Subfloor Preparation
On the day, the installation team should first level the subfloor. Any unevenness greater than 3mm over 1.8 metres must be addressed with a self-levelling compound before laying any flooring. This step is critical — skipping it causes boards to rock, joints to stress, and floors to fail prematurely.
Installation and Quality Checks
The installation team should work methodically through the space. For click-lock products, listen for a clean click on every joint. All boards should sit flat with no gapping, rocking, or visible height differences between adjacent boards. Any concerns should be raised immediately, not after completion.
Finishing Details
Skirting boards, door bars, and all transition strips should be installed before the project is considered complete. Check that all trims are secure, sealed, and level. Verify that expansion gaps are maintained throughout and silicone sealing is applied where required (bathroom/wet areas).
Final Inspection and Sign-Off
Walk through the entire completed area with your installation manager. Check every seam, corner, and transition point in good light. Ensure the floor is fully cleaned, all furniture legs have felt pads applied, and you've received the warranty documents, product care instructions, and installation certificate.
After Installation — The First 48 Hours
- Keep the floor dry for 24 hours after installation (especially dryback LVT)
- Avoid placing heavy furniture directly on a new floor for 24–48 hours
- Keep windows and doors closed to maintain stable temperature and humidity
- If you have underfloor heating, restart it gradually — increase by no more than 5°C per day
- Do a final walk-through in natural daylight — this reveals any surface imperfections not visible in artificial light