These are some of the questions that our customers ask most frequently. If you have other questions about Premier Builder Floors or the products and services we offer, please e-mail the webmaster.

Services offered

What types of flooring does Premier offer?

Premier sells and installs carpet, prefinished hardwood, vinyl and ceramic tile. In addition, Premier offers specialty products for customized installations.


Does Premier do floor covering for remodeling projects?

Generally, Premier handles floor covering for new construction only. Past customers are welcome to return to Premier for flooring for finished basements and other remodeling projects. We do accept referrals. However, our top priority always will be serving the needs of our builders' customers.


Does Premier do commercial work?

Premier will do small commercial work for established accounts but does not bid on larger commercial projects.





Flooring selection

When should customers make their floor covering selections?

Customers can make their selections at any time during the construction process, but all selections must be finalized at least four to six weeks prior to the settlement date. Area rugs should be ordered eight to 10 weeks in advance of settlement.


What if a customer wants a flooring product that is not within the building allowance?

Homeowners should check with their builder regarding their policy on upgrades. Some builders prefer to handle the charges for upgrades through their office, while others prefer their customers to work directly with Premier. Premier makes upgrades more affordable for homebuyers by offering six months "no interest-no payment" financing.





Carpet

Will the carpet installation have any noticeable seams?

Seams are a necessary part of any carpet installation. Premier gives careful consideration to seam placement when we plan the layout of your home's carpeting. Our installers follow all reccomended installation guidelines when making seams. However, several factors determine what a seam will look like:

  • Seams in Berber carpets will be visible. Due to the loop pile construction, as the carpet is stretched the seam area will peak slightly.
  • Darker-colored carpets hide seams better than lighter colors. Seams in all-white carpets tend to be the most noticeable.
  • Higher quality carpets have denser pile that hides seams better than less expensive grades.
  • Choosing 15 ft. wide carpet can eliminate the need for seams in many areas. In areas where seams are still required, the extra width enables us to minimize the visual impact by placing the seams closer to walls. Premier has a large selection of 15 ft. wide carpets.


Note: occasionally you may see a line running across a newly installed carpet, about one foot in from a wall. This line is not a seam. This mark, known as a "pole mark," results from the carpet being wrapped tightly around a cardboard tube for shipping. The mark will disappear as the carpet becomes acclimated and is vacuumed. Extra attention to this area during vacuuming will speed the process. For more immediate results, try light steaming of the affected area.

What is "power-stretching" and why is it important?

Proper installation is critical to a carpet's appearance and performance. To avoid wrinkles or buckles from traffic, humidity and temperature changes, manufacturers recommend the use of the tool shown at right, known as a power-stretcher. Failure to install carpet in the recommended manner could nullify the warranty.

All Premier carpet installations are power-stretched.


What is the benefit of upgrade padding?

Upgrade padding will absolutely improve the performance of any carpet. Some of our upgrade options contain memory foam (for added comfort), and are anti-microbial (to kill bacteria).





Hardwood

Does Premier do sand-and-finish hardwood?

Premier sells and installs only prefinished hardwood flooring. Prefinished solid hardwood is quicker and easier to install and doesn't spread dust during sanding. It comes in a wide variety of wood species, finishes and stains. Prefinished engineered wood is also available in many styles, and is more suitable for certain applications.

What is engineered wood flooring?

Engineered wood flooring is real wood. It is peeled in layers from a log, rather than cut in planks. The wood is then laminated to give it exceptional stability -- it doesn't warp, cup or buckle, and it is far less prone to the expansion and shrinkage that can cause gaps in traditional sand-and-finish floors. Engineered wood floors can even be installed below grade.

Are there any durability concerns with prefinished hardwood floors?

Water and wood do not mix. Water can permanently damage a hardwood floor. For this reason, installing hardwood in a bathroom or laundry room is not recommended. However, kitchens and powder rooms are acceptable areas for hardwood as long as spills are cleaned up promptly, and manufacturers' maintenance instructions are followed. Hardwood floors should never be cleaned by wet-mopping.





Ceramic

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?

While ceramic and porcelain tiles are both clay-based, porcelain is much more durable. Porcelain is fired at high temperatures, creating a more dense-bodied tile that offer almost limitless applications.


What is natural stone?

Natural stone is a blanket term referring to tile made from marble, limestone, travertine, onyx, slate, granite or other materials. All have unique characteristics. Some materials have special installation and maintenance requirements.

Should grout and tile be sealed?

Grout should be sealed after it has completely cured (72 hours). Grout is made of porous materials and will readily accept stains if not sealed. Sealant should be reapplied every six months to one year or as needed.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles do not need to be sealed. However, natural stone tile needs to be sealed. All natural stone tiles are porous and more susceptible to stains than either ceramic or porcelain. An enhancing or penetrating sealant should be applied as per manufacturer's instructions.

Maintenance

What do customers need to know about maintaining newly installed floors?

Premier strongly recommends that customers follow the flooring manufacturers' maintenance guidelines. Please refer to our links page to view care instructions for specific floor covering products. If you have a specific maintenance question, please contact us. Failure to follow manufacturer's guidelines may void the product warranty.