Once you've completed the installation you should carefully check the finished floor to make sure everything looks right.

If you do find any problems, fix them straight away - don't wait for complaints or call backs from the client.

In particular, look for:

• loose edges or seams
  
  
• adhesive on the surface
  
  
• trapped air bubbles or buckles in the flooring.

Doing a final inspection of your work is also an excellent way of evaluating your installation techniques and learning where you can improve your skills.

Protecting the new floor

On projects where it's your job to move heavy appliances back into position, use plywood panels or other board products as protection underneath the appliance.

Slide the first board under the object as you lift it off the floor one side at a time.

Then put another board beside the first one and push the object over the boards.

Don't roll or drag the object directly across the new flooring material.

If you're leaving the client to move the appliances themselves, give them instructions on how to do it properly so they don't put a tear or buckle in the floor covering.

Even objects on wheels or casters need to be pushed across wood panels, because if the adhesive isn't fully cured they'll leave grooves in the floor surface.

Commercial floors should be protected from rolling loads for at least 72 hours after the installation is finished.

Housekeeping

Clients appreciate tidy tradespeople - especially if you're working in their home.

Take all your rubbish and materials with you, except for left-over pieces of floor covering that might be useful to the client for future repairs.

Be particularly careful with hazardous products that need to be disposed of in an approved way.

Don't put materials or rubbish in doorways or other access ways, because they'll probably get knocked over and end up being a trip hazard.

Keep everything well stacked and out of everyone's way.