A smooth and efficient installation doesn't happen by chance. It's always the product of careful planning and preparation.

For many floor layers, a lot of the arrangements are made in advance by the company that's supplying the flooring products and handling the installation contract.

But even when you're working as a subcontractor, you still need to know what the arrangements are and confirm whether everything will be ready for you when you show up on-site to start the installation.

Set out below is a summary of the main factors that need to be considered before you physically begin the installation.

Also shown are references to the other units that have more information about these topics.

Site access and working conditions

One of the most important issues that need to be dealt with is access to the worksite and the condition it should be in when you arrive.

This includes organising a day that suits everyone, as well as making sure that no other trade work will be going on that could hold up your progress.

It also includes making arrangements in advance about who is responsible for moving existing furniture, appliances and old floor coverings.

For more details on these issues, follow the links below.

Dealing with the client (Lay flat vinyl)

Issues to consider' (Planning and costing)

Health and safety

Professional floor layers take safety very seriously - because they know that a happy, healthy life is far more valuable than a bit of time saved by taking shortcuts or not following safe procedures.

We've dealt with various aspects of health and safety throughout this series of learner guides. Below is a summary of the main topics relevant to resilient floor laying that are covered in other guides.

You should go back to these lessons if you need to refresh your memory on the details.

Documentation

The main document that sets out the specifications of a flooring project is the floor covering plan.

Some contracting companies give their installers a job sheet, which contains most of the information contained in the floor covering plan, but also provides details relating to specific products used and arrangements that have been made with the client.

For more information about these documents, follow the links below.

Floor covering plans (Planning and costing)

Documentation (Lay flat vinyl)

Subfloor assessment

When something goes wrong with a finished floor, more often than not the problem can be traced back to the condition of the subfloor. Sometimes a problem only becomes obvious months or even years after the installation was completed.

But as a professional installer, you'll still be liable for the cost of repairs if it can be proved that you didn't properly assess the subfloor and deal with any issues that you were responsible for at the time.

Because this is such a crucial topic, we've revisited it in several units. However, the most comprehensive coverage is in the units below.

Inspecting and testing subfloors

Lay flat vinyl.

Tools and equipment

The tools you'll need for any particular project will depend on the specifications of the job and the site conditions you're faced with.

We talked about the basic range of hand tools required in the lesson shown below.

So in this unit, we'll move on to the specific tools needed for heat welding and other specialised tasks.

Tools and equipment (Lay flat vinyl)