Hours vary Jacksonville (904) 699-2626
Strictly Builders Inc
Flooring Installed Flat, Level, and Built to Perform

Family-owned · Jacksonville Local

Flooring Installed Flat, Level, and Built to Perform

Every material type, every subfloor condition, handled by one licensed contractor from demo to final trim.

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How We Install Flooring That Holds

Installing flooring isn't just about choosing a material you like, the installation itself determines whether that floor lasts five years or twenty-five. A warped subfloor, a skipped moisture barrier, an uneven transition strip: these aren't minor details, they're the difference between a floor that holds and one you're replacing in three years. Strictly Builders Inc approaches every install with the subfloor prep first and the finish second, because no amount of expensive material recovers a bad foundation. If you're ready to stop guessing which contractor will actually get this right, call us for a free estimate.

The full scope of a flooring install varies considerably depending on what's going on beneath your existing floor. Subfloor condition, square footage, material selection, and whether flooring demolition and removal is part of the job all affect labor and timeline. We handle hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), luxury vinyl tile (LVT), tile, epoxy floor coatings, and carpet, each with different acclimation requirements, fastening methods, and expansion gap tolerances. Durable material installed wrong still fails; that's why the technical execution is the job, not a step in the job. Every job is different, contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate.

MATERIAL SCOPE

Flooring Types We Install and Why It Matters

The material sets the look. The install method sets the performance.

01

Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood requires precise moisture readings before a single plank goes down. We nail, staple, or glue depending on the subfloor type and species being installed, and we refinish existing hardwood when replacement isn't necessary.

02

Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile

LVP and LVT are forgiving materials, but only when the subfloor is flat to within 3/16 inch over 10 feet. We correct deflections before floating or gluing any plank, which is the step most budget installs skip.

03

Tile Installation

Tile over a flexing subfloor cracks at the grout within months. We assess subfloor rigidity, apply the correct mortar bed, and set proper joints so the finished surface stays intact under daily foot traffic. See how we extend this to tile shower installation as well.

04

Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy is a surface coating system, not a floor covering, and it fails fast if the concrete beneath it has moisture vapor issues. We test, prep, and apply epoxy systems built for residential and light commercial conditions.

05

Carpet Installation

Carpet hides subfloor problems until they create noise, soft spots, or premature wear. We inspect and address the substrate before the pad goes down, so the finished install lays flat and stays quiet underfoot.

06

Custom Borders and Inlays

For homeowners who want more than a standard field installation, we handle custom borders and inlays, mixed material work that requires precise cuts and layout planning before the first piece is set.

HOW IT WORKS

The Install Process, Step by Step

  1. 01

    Subfloor Assessment and Prep

    We pull up existing material, inspect the subfloor for rot, deflection, and moisture, and correct any issues before the new floor goes anywhere near the room. This step is non-negotiable.

  2. 02

    Material Acclimation and Layout

    Hardwood and some LVP products need time to acclimate to the room's humidity and temperature before install. We plan the layout, expansion gaps, transition points, stair connections, before cutting the first piece.

  3. 03

    Installation and Finish

    The material goes down level, square, and properly fastened or floated per manufacturer spec. We finish with baseboards, transitions, and cleanup. You walk in on a floor that's ready, not one that needs touch-ups.

What You're Actually Paying For in a Flooring Install

The question most homeowners search first is how much it costs to install flooring, and the honest answer is that it depends on four variables: square footage, subfloor condition, material selection, and whether demolition is part of the scope. A 1,000-square-foot install on a clean, level subfloor with LVP is a different job than the same footage in a 1960s house with pine subfloor that's moved in three directions. Skipping subfloor correction to save money upfront is the most expensive decision in flooring. We've re-done floors that other contractors installed six months earlier because the prep was skipped. We won't skip it. Every job is different, contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate. For projects that extend beyond flooring, we also handle kitchen remodels and new construction builds as a full-scope contractor.
hardwood flooring work, professional service in Jacksonville, FL

Stair Installations and Floor Continuity

A floor that terminates at a staircase with a mismatched material or a poorly nosed step is an unfinished project. We handle stair installation and refinishing as an extension of the flooring scope, so the transition from room to stair reads as intentional rather than an afterthought. Treads, risers, and nosing all get the same attention to level, fit, and fastening method as the floor itself. If you've ever heard a stair squeak on a house that was just 'renovated,' you know what happens when the substrate gets ignored.
tile installation work, professional service in Jacksonville, FL

After Installation: Floor Maintenance and Longevity

A well-installed floor still needs the right care to perform at the 20-year mark.

The install creates the foundation. What happens after determines how long it holds.
Proper cleaning protocol per material type
Hardwood and LVP have different moisture tolerances. We'll tell you exactly what to use and what to avoid.
Expansion gap integrity over time
Floors installed without proper gaps will peak or buckle during Florida's humidity swings. Ours won't.
Wood floor maintenance guidance included
We connect clients to wood floor maintenance and cleaning resources so the finish investment holds.
Three years in the trade, every job under Ryan Alson's direct oversight
No subcontracted crews. The contractor you speak with is the one on site.

TECHNICAL FAQ

Flooring Installation Questions, Answered Directly

What goes down before vinyl flooring is installed?
Before LVP or LVT goes down, the subfloor needs to be clean, dry, and flat to within 3/16 inch over a 10-foot span. High spots get sanded or ground down; low spots get filled with floor-leveling compound. On concrete, we check for moisture vapor emission before any adhesive or floating floor touches the slab. Skipping this step is what causes planks to click apart at the joints or develop hollow spots within the first year.
What is the Rule of 3 for flooring, and does it apply to my project?
The Rule of 3 in flooring layout refers to a staggered joint pattern where end joints between adjacent rows are offset by at least one-third the plank length. It prevents continuous seams that read visually as stripes across the floor and also distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the installation. We apply it on every LVP and hardwood install. For tile, we use a comparable offset pattern determined by tile size and room dimensions.
How much does it cost to install 1,000 square feet of flooring?
The cost for 1,000 square feet depends heavily on material choice, subfloor condition, and whether demolition is included. LVP on a prepped concrete slab sits at a very different price point than solid hardwood nailed over a wood subfloor that needs leveling first. Every job is different, contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate.
Should I repair or replace my existing subfloor before new flooring goes in?
That depends on what's wrong with it. Soft spots, delamination, squeaks, or moisture damage all need to be addressed before new material goes over them, covering a damaged subfloor only transfers the problem to the new surface. We assess the substrate on every job before quoting the install. In Florida's climate, moisture-related subfloor damage is more common than most homeowners expect, especially in older construction.
Can flooring be installed over existing tile or hardwood?
Sometimes, yes. LVP can float over existing tile if the surface is flat and in good condition, and the added height at transitions and doors is manageable. Hardwood over hardwood is generally not recommended due to cumulative height gain and acclimation conflicts. We evaluate the existing surface, measure transition heights at doorways and adjacent rooms, and tell you straight whether floating over is viable or whether removal is the right call.
What causes new flooring to squeak or creak after installation?
Squeaking almost always originates in the subfloor, not the finished floor material itself. Subfloor panels that weren't glued and screwed to the joists, or joists with too much deflection, move under foot traffic and create the noise. A floating floor over a squeaky subfloor will still squeak. We address the source before the finish material goes down, which is the only fix that actually holds.

Ready to Install Flooring That Performs?

One contractor. Every material type. Subfloor prep to final trim.

Call (904) 699-2626 Call for a Free Estimate

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