New floors change how a whole house looks and feels, and they're one of the bigger purchases most homeowners make. It makes sense that people walk into our Scarborough showroom with a lot of questions.

We've been installing and finishing floors across Southern Maine since 1987, and the same questions come up again and again, whether we're in a Portland condo, a Saco ranch, or a Kennebunkport summer cottage. Here are the ones we hear most, with straight answers.

1. "What's this going to cost me?"

It's almost always the first question, and the honest answer is: it depends on more than the price per square foot on the sample.

The main things that drive a flooring quote:

• The material. Carpet, luxury vinyl (LVT/LVP), laminate, tile, engineered wood, and solid hardwood all sit at different price points, and each category has a wide range.
• Square footage and layout. Lots of small rooms, closets, angles, and transitions take more labor and create more waste than one open space.
• What's under there now. Tearing out old carpet, tile, or glued-down vinyl, and fixing an uneven or damaged subfloor add to the job.
• Stairs. Each step is its own small project and usually priced separately.
• Trim and transitions. Baseboard, quarter round, thresholds, and stair nosing all add up.

The best way to get a real number is an in-home measure and estimate. Ours are free, and we'll walk you through where the money is going so you can decide where to spend and where to save.

2. "Which floor will hold up to my kids, dogs, and Maine mud season?"

Start with how you live, not with what looks good in a magazine.

• Big dogs and busy kids: LVT/LVP and tile handle scratches, spills, and accidents best. Today's luxury vinyl looks remarkably like real wood and is quiet and comfortable underfoot. Browse options on our LVT & LVP page.
• Entryways and mudrooms: Sand, salt, and slush are hard on any floor. Tile and LVT are the safest bets for the spot where boots come off.
• Living rooms and bedrooms: Hardwood adds warmth and value, and when it shows wear, you can sand and refinish it instead of replacing it. Carpet is still a favorite for bedrooms on cold Maine mornings.
• Garages, workshops, and basements: Epoxy flooring creates a tough, seamless surface that stands up to tires, tools, and spills.

For a side-by-side look at the most popular choices, see our guide Hardwood vs. LVT vs. Tile: Which Flooring Is Right for Your Maine Home?

3. "Is it waterproof?"

Homeowners ask this a lot, and the industry uses the words "waterproof" and "water-resistant" loosely.

• Tile is the most waterproof surface you can put down, which is why it's the standard in bathrooms.
• Many LVT/LVP and hybrid products are waterproof at the surface and core, making them a strong pick for kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.
• Laminate varies a lot by product. Some newer lines handle spills well; others don't like standing water.
• Hardwood handles everyday spills if you wipe them up, but it isn't the right call where water sits or where humidity swings hard.

Keep in mind that even a waterproof floor won't fix a moisture problem under it. If your basement takes on water in the spring, address that first. Our basement and bathroom flooring guide goes deeper on this.

4. "Will it work with Maine's weather?"

Our dry, heated winters and humid summers make wood expand and contract year-round. That's normal, and a good installation plans for it with the right expansion gaps, proper acclimation where the product calls for it, and the right subfloor prep.

If you love the look of wood but worry about seasonal movement, engineered hardwood and quality LVT are more stable options. In a seasonal home that sits unheated part of the year, we'll steer you toward materials that tolerate temperature swings.

5. "How long will installation take, and can we stay in the house?"

Most single-room or single-floor installs take a few days, not weeks. Bigger jobs, tile work (which needs time to set and grout), and anything involving subfloor repair take longer. We'll give you a realistic schedule up front.

In most cases, you can stay home. We'll let you know which rooms will be off limits and for how long. A few tips to make install day easy:

• Clear small items, breakables, and anything off the floor before we arrive.
• Plan for pets to be away from the work area.
• Ask us about moving furniture and appliances ahead of time.

Some of the flooring we carry, like many LVT and hybrid products, can be installed the same day it's delivered with no acclimation wait. Solid hardwood is different and usually needs time to adjust to your home first. We'll tell you exactly what your product needs.

Already have hardwood and just need it refreshed? See How Long Does Floor Refinishing Really Take?

6. "Do I have to replace my floors, or can they be saved?"

If you have hardwood, even hardwood that looks rough, there's a good chance it can be sanded and refinished for less than new flooring. Our sanding and refinishing process uses a 95% dust-free D.C.S. system, so you won't be wiping fine dust off every surface for weeks afterward. You can also change the color entirely with a new stain.

Not sure which way to go? Read Should You Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?

7. "How do I pick a color and style I won't regret?"

A few rules of thumb that hold up well:

• Look at samples in your own home. Showroom lighting and a north-facing Maine living room in February are very different.
• Mid-tone colors hide the most. Very dark floors show dust and pet hair; very light floors show dirt tracked in.
• Think about the whole house. Running one floor through connected spaces makes rooms feel bigger and flows better than switching materials at every doorway.
• Wider planks and natural, matte finishes are popular right now, and they're also forgiving of small scratches.

Our showroom carries a wide range of brands so you can compare side by side, and you're welcome to take samples home.

8. "How do I take care of it?"

Every floor lasts longer with a little routine care:

• Put mats at every exterior door, especially in winter.
• Use felt pads under furniture legs.
• Sweep or vacuum (with the beater bar off on hard floors) regularly.
• Use the cleaner your flooring manufacturer recommends. Steam mops and vinegar can damage some finishes.
• For hardwood, run a humidifier in winter to limit gaps and cracks.

Our Maine winters hardwood care guide has more seasonal tips.

9. "How do I know I'm hiring the right flooring company?"

This one matters as much as the floor you choose. Before you sign anything, ask:

• How long have you been in business locally? We've been serving Southern Maine since 1987.
• Who will actually be in my home? Our in-house team does the sanding and refinishing, not subcontractors.
• Are you fully insured, with workers' comp? We are. If a contractor's worker is hurt without coverage, you could be exposed.
• Is the estimate itemized? You should see materials, labor, removal, and trim spelled out.
• Can I see your work and read your reviews? Check our photo galleries and testimonials.

Still Have Questions? Come See Us.

There's no such thing as a silly flooring question, and the best place to ask it is in person. Stop by our showroom at 442 U.S. Route 1 in Scarborough, call (207) 303-0391, or request a free estimate.

We serve Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and surrounding towns. See our full service area.