Subfloor preparation means getting the base ready to receive your chosen flooring. That might involve smoothing concrete, overlaying timber or dealing with moisture before installation. At Kent Flooring Warehouse, we treat necessary preparation as part of the fitting job, not an optional extra to leave for somebody else.
You can book us to supply and fit your flooring or to install a covering you have already bought. Either way, we look underneath the product choice first. Our own fitters carry the work through from preparation to installation, with the required stages set out before you commit.
For background rather than booking information, read our explanation of subfloor preparation. The preparation quote guide explains what to consider when comparing the scope of work.
Dips in concrete, loose or springy boards, leftover adhesive and old vinyl residue are reasons to inspect before covering the floor. Ground-floor damp readings, an extension meeting an existing room at a different height, or newly laid screed that is still drying also affect the fitting plan. Tell us about these concerns when booking; you do not need to choose a treatment yourself.
Damp or uneven floors found before fitting and new screed that has not dried yet have their own practical guides.
For concrete or screed bases, we assess where a smoothing compound is needed before the covering is laid. Latex products are supplied as part of the preparation work. The survey determines the treatment rather than assuming every concrete floor needs the same application.
Read about latex screedingSuspended timber floors need a different assessment. Where appropriate, we supply and fit plywood overlay before vinyl or LVT. Existing board movement matters too; simply covering a loose base is not the same as preparing it for the new finish.
Read about plywood overlayMoisture testing comes before deciding whether a membrane is appropriate. We explain the findings and agree the necessary approach before fitting proceeds. Preparation can also include lifting old coverings and removing adhesive residue where the installation requires it.
Read about moisture testingLVT and sheet vinyl are especially sensitive to small bumps beneath them. We consider the finish you will see as well as the condition of the base.
Laminate and engineered wood still need a suitable, stable foundation; their different construction does not make preparation irrelevant. Carpet needs its own assessment rather than automatically receiving the same treatment as vinyl. Our fitting range also includes safety flooring and stair runners.
The first visit is free and without obligation. We measure the space, check the subfloor and show samples. Your written quote separates out the preparation needed so you can understand the proposed job, not just the finished covering.
Once agreed, preparation and any curing or drying requirements are scheduled into the installation. The same in-house team fits the flooring afterwards. We finish with clean-up and aftercare advice, keeping the preparation and the visible result within one fitting plan.
We work with offices, retail, hospitality, schools, healthcare and care homes. Out-of-hours work and phased programmes let preparation be planned alongside access and the use of the premises. RAMS, CSCS and public liability documentation form part of the commercial arrangements.
Discuss the whole programme through our commercial flooring service or commercial project pages, including the preparation stages before the final covering is fitted.
Our base is Unit 9 Matilda Close, Gillingham Business Park, ME8 0PY. Visit Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:30, or arrange a weekend appointment.
See the rest of our coverageFor a closer comparison of the methods, see latex screed versus plywood overlay.
Tell us what you want fitted and what you know about the existing floor. We can assess the preparation as part of your enquiry.
Call 07702 737267sales@kentflooringwarehouse.com
Contact the fitting team