Flooring installation and refinishing questions and answers for Pennsylvania homeowners
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
How much does a new floor cost?
Angi's national figures put installed hardwood at $6 to $25 a square foot, laminate at $3 to $13, vinyl at $2 to $14, tile at $15 to $20 and carpet at $3.50 to $11. Other surveys differ, and none publishes a Pennsylvania figure. The ranges side by side, with the extras that get added, are in the cost guide.
Is refinishing cheaper than replacing hardwood?
Usually. HomeGuide puts sanding and refinishing at $2 to $8 a square foot, or $800 to $3,200 for 400 square feet, against Angi's $6 to $25 a square foot for new hardwood installed.
Does a flooring contractor need to be registered in Pennsylvania?
Yes, if it does $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year. The state's home improvement law names flooring in its definition of a home improvement. Look the business up on the Attorney General's contractor search, as described in what Pennsylvania requires of flooring contractors.
Does a store that installs flooring have to register?
If it installs, yes. The Attorney General says a retailer that only sells products need not register, but one that installs, or subcontracts the installation, must. So must the subcontractors who do the work.
How big a deposit can a flooring contractor ask for?
For a contract over $5,000, no more than one-third of the price, or one-third plus the cost of special order materials named in the written contract. No payment at all may be taken before the contract is signed.
Can I cancel after signing?
Yes. The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act lets you cancel within three business days of signing, without penalty, wherever the contract was signed.
Do I need a permit for new flooring?
Usually not, but the decision is your municipality's. The state's permit rules do not mention floor coverings at all, so ask the local building code official. Philadelphia says most floor coverings need no permit unless the property is on its historic register or the carpet is in an exit corridor.
Could my old vinyl floor contain asbestos?
It could. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists vinyl floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives among materials that may contain asbestos. You cannot tell by looking unless the material is labeled.
Should old asbestos tiles be torn out?
Not necessarily. The EPA says material in good condition that will not be disturbed is best left alone, and that when asbestos flooring needs replacing, new flooring should be installed over it if possible. It warns against sanding or leveling it, and against taking samples yourself.
Is sanding an old floor a lead risk?
It can be in a home built before 1978, where painted surfaces may contain lead. The EPA says renovation in such a home can easily create dangerous lead dust, and that a paid contractor who disturbs paint must be lead-safe certified. Its advice for doing work yourself is to assume lead is present if you do not know the home's age.
Does laminate flooring give off formaldehyde?
It can, and the amount depends on how it is made. Asked whether owners should be concerned, the EPA's answer is "not necessarily". It recommends products labeled TSCA Title VI compliant and says emissions from composite wood typically fall over time.
Are floor finish fumes harmful?
Varnishes and waxes contain organic solvents, and the EPA says such vapors can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, and can stay in the air long after the work is done. Ventilate, and follow the label.
Can rags from staining a floor catch fire?
Yes. Investigators in Massachusetts traced a house fire to oil-based staining rags left overnight in a bucket. The fire chief said the oils give off heat as they dry and rags should be dried flat outdoors, away from anything that burns.
Why do wood floors gap in winter and cup in summer?
Wood takes on and gives up moisture with the air. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), the hardwood trade body, says gaps that come and go with the seasons are normal and suggests keeping a home at 30 to 50 percent humidity year-round.
Can a floor go back down right after a flood?
Not until the structure is dry. The EPA says to make sure a concrete slab is dry before replacing flooring and gives a simple plastic-sheet test. Wood and other materials should read 15 percent moisture or less before refinishing.
How long should I air out a house after new carpet?
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the carpet industry's association, says most off-gassing of new carpet is complete within about 24 hours and recommends ventilating for 48 to 72 hours.
What should I check in a flooring warranty?
Read it before you buy: the Federal Trade Commission says a warranty must be available to read beforehand. Check what is excluded, whether it covers only floors cleaned and maintained according to the directions, and who pays labor. Its warranty advice also says to get spoken promises in writing.
How do I choose between contractors?
Check registration, ask for the trade credentials that apply to your material, check references and get a detailed written contract. The steps are in how to choose a flooring contractor. Businesses are listed on the flooring contractors directory page.
Sources
- How Much Does Flooring Installation Cost? [2026 Data], Angi
- How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors? (2026), HomeGuide
- 2008 Act 132 (Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act), Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Frequently Asked Questions: Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Get a Building Permit, City of Philadelphia
- Learn About Asbestos, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Questions and Answers Regarding Laminate Flooring, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Ludlow Fire Started with Oily Rags, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
- Problem Prevention, National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
- Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Frequently Asked Questions, The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
- Warranties, Federal Trade Commission