Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Do I need to move the furniture?
A: It is the customer's responsibility to move the furniture unless stated otherwise in the bid.

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Q: Can I stay in the house while work is being done?
A: If flooring will be finished on site the floor will be wet with stain and finish for approximately 3-4 days.  If access to the bedrooms or areas you plan on staying in require walking across new flooring, we recommend you make arrangements to stay somewhere else during the finishing process.

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Q: What time will the installation crew be arriving each day?
A: Typical start time is between 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Finish coats are usually done in the mid-afternoon which allows maximum dry time for the previous coat.  Depending on the weather, an additional day may be required between coats.

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Q: Will there be a lot of dust created when the floors are sanded?
A: Although there is no such thing as dust free sanding, the use of our dust containment sanding equipment will capture the majority of dust. Please reference our Dust Containment systems page for further information.

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Q: How long will it take to sand and finish the floors?
A: Based on an average size job of 500 square feet, we will need 3-4 days to complete the work.

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Q: How long do I need to wait before I can walk on the floors?
A: A finished on site floor will be ready for foot traffic the day after the final coat of finish is applied.  There are rare instances when the dry time takes an additional day due to damp weather. A prefinished floor can be walked on immediately following installation.

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Q: When can the furniture be placed back on the floor?
A: Under normal conditions, we recommend one (1) full day for the finish to cure before the furniture is placed back.

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Q: How do I clean my hardwood floors?
A: Please refer to the Maintenance section of our website for cleaning instructions.

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Q: When can I put area rugs on the floor?
A: Area rugs should be left off the newly finished floors for a minimum of 30 days.

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Q: Will my dog scratch my new floor?
A: Large dogs typically will scratch your hardwood floor. Periodic trimming of the dog’s nails will help prevent scratching.

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Q: Will the fumes from the finish bother me?
A: No. We only use water-based products at Dickinson Hardwood which have little to no disturbing smells. Please reference our products page for further details regarding the finishes we use.