WeShipFloors Review: Flooring Contractor Services
A flooring contractor review is useful only when it separates verified company services from claims that still need proof. I cannot confirm WeShipFloors’ current installation scope, credentials, insurance, warranty terms, or project results from attributable documentation here. Use this guide to assess its written proposal, compare it with another bid, and check whether your floor’s preparation and installation plan suit the material.
A common misconception is that a retailer or contractor’s product selection tells you how well it will be installed. It does not. A sound comparison looks beyond brand names and advertised warranties to the condition of the subfloor, the preparation plan, the products used, and the work the installer agrees to perform.
This review focuses on how to evaluate WeShipFloors’ flooring-contractor services without treating unverified details as facts. Ask for current, written answers. A claim about trained installers or a “lifetime” warranty is not enough on its own; you need to know what work is covered, what exclusions apply, and who handles a problem.
What to verify before hiring WeShipFloors
A contractor review should distinguish company-specific facts from general standards for flooring work. I cannot verify WeShipFloors’ current service area, installation methods, credentials, insurance, or warranty terms here. Treat those points as open questions, and request current documents that name the contracting company, the work included, and the party responsible for any warranty claim.
Ask for a project-specific scope before comparing prices. It should identify the flooring and installation products, describe preparation, list exclusions, and explain how extra work will be approved and priced. A low quote may omit leveling, moisture testing, removal, or trim work that another quote includes.
| Review point | Ask WeShipFloors for | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Installer | Name of the business doing the work and who supervises it | Whether the named party matches the contract and payment details |
| Insurance | Current proof of coverage, if offered or required | Insured business name and policy dates |
| Preparation | Inspection, moisture testing, repairs, and leveling in scope | Specific tasks and written extra-work rates |
| Warranty | Full terms for labor and materials | Start date, exclusions, claim process, and responsible party |
| Schedule | Start estimate, expected duration, and cure-time limits | What happens if site conditions delay work |
| Cleanup | Removal, disposal, transitions, and final protection | Included tasks versus owner responsibilities |
A product warranty and an installation warranty are different. The product maker may cover a defect in the flooring, while the installer may cover workmanship under separate terms. Read both documents and ask who will inspect a complaint, how quickly it must be reported, and whether labor to remove and replace flooring is covered.
Substrate Inspection, Deflection Checks & Subfloor Preparation
The substrate is the surface beneath the finished floor, such as a concrete slab or wood subfloor. It must be sound, clean, and suitable for the selected product. Ask the installer to document its type and condition, how it was tested, and which repairs are included before any flooring conceals it.
Concrete and wood need different checks. For a slab, the plan should address cracks, contamination, flatness, and moisture. For a wood-joist floor, the installer should inspect framing, panel thickness and fastening, damage, and movement. A membrane cannot fix weak or over-flexing framing; structural problems need repair before covering the floor.
For ceramic or porcelain tile, the floor assembly should meet a deflection limit of at least L/360. For natural stone, the target is at least L/720. Deflection describes how much a floor bends under load; the L-number is a ratio, not a product grade. Ask how the installer assessed the existing framing and subfloor, especially if stone is proposed.
Moisture limits depend on the flooring and installation system. There is no single MVER or in-situ relative humidity limit that applies to every floor. MVER means moisture vapor emission rate; in-situ RH measures relative humidity inside concrete. Common slab test methods are ASTM F1869 for MVER and ASTM F2170 for in-situ RH. The product’s published limit and required test method should guide the decision.
| Substrate | Questions to document before installation |
|---|---|
| Concrete slab | Which moisture test is required? What were the results? Are cracks, residue, or uneven areas present? |
| Wood floor | Are panels firmly fastened and undamaged? Has framing movement or excessive deflection been checked? |
| Tile project | Does the floor meet the required deflection and flatness criteria? Which compatible underlayment system is specified? |
A written plan should identify repairs, compatible patching or leveling products, and any moisture mitigation. Do not accept a promise to “fix it as needed” without a clear method, price, and approval step. If testing fails the product limit, resolve the moisture issue or select a system approved for those conditions before installation.
Installation Technique, Material Compatibility & Precision Execution
Material compatibility means that the flooring, underlayment, membrane, mortar, adhesive, and substrate can be used together under their makers’ instructions. The proposal should name the system, not just say “premium materials.” Ask for product data sheets and confirm that each component is approved for the substrate and finish.
For tile, ANSI A108.02 gives a baseline flatness tolerance of 1/4 inch in 10 feet when all tile edges are under 15 inches. For tile with an edge 15 inches or longer, the baseline is 1/8 inch in 10 feet. A product system may require tighter tolerances, so the installer should check the selected tile’s instructions before setting it.
Tile mortar needs enough contact to support the tile. Minimum coverage is 80% in dry interior areas and 95% in wet areas and exterior applications, with edges and corners supported. A reliable check is to lift tiles from time to time during installation and inspect the contact pattern. Isolated blobs of mortar, sometimes called dot-mounting, do not provide proper support and can raise the risk of cracks, debonding, and uneven edges.
For plank or sheet flooring, ask how the installer will follow the maker’s requirements for acclimation, adhesive, fasteners, expansion space, and room conditions. Those requirements vary by product. The bid should name the materials and installation method, rather than assume that one approach suits every floor.
An installation plan should follow a clear sequence:
- Inspect the substrate and identify the finish and supporting structure.
- Test moisture using the method required by the selected flooring system.
- Repair structural defects, remove bond breakers, and correct cracks as specified.
- Flatten or level the surface with compatible materials.
- Install approved underlayment or membrane, following instructions for seams, fasteners, and mortar or adhesive.
- Set flooring with the specified product, trowel, open time, and coverage; follow the approved fastening schedule for wood flooring.
- Allow the required cure before grouting, finishing, traffic, cleaning, sealing, or placing heavy loads.
If a contractor proposes a different product or method, ask for written confirmation that it is approved for the substrate and will not conflict with the flooring maker’s warranty. Keep product names, batch details if available, test results, and change approvals with the contract.
Transitions, Movement Joints, Safety & Deflection Compliance
Movement joints allow a floor to expand and contract without pressing against walls or fixed objects. Their placement and design depend on the material and system. Ask the installer to show where perimeter and field joints will go, and how they will avoid rigidly bridging a joint with tile, grout, trim, or adhesive.
For tile, follow the Tile Council of North America’s EJ171 guidance and the selected system’s instructions. A 1/4-inch perimeter gap is a common starting detail, not a universal rule. Room size, layout, exposure, and product requirements can change the detail. The written plan should state how required joints will be finished and kept clear.
Tile flatness, structural deflection, and lippage are related but different issues. Flatness concerns the surface before tile is installed; deflection concerns movement of the supporting floor; lippage is the height difference between nearby tile edges. A membrane may help manage some substrate movement when used as designed, but it does not correct an under-deflected or deteriorated floor.
For a level interior area expected to be walked on when wet, ANSI A326.3 DCOF of at least 0.42 is a commonly referenced criterion. DCOF is a dynamic coefficient of friction test result. It is not a promise that nobody will slip, nor is it a universal suitability rating. Confirm the tile’s use classification and applicable accessibility or building-code requirements for the space.
Include transitions, stairs, doorways, and changes between materials in the quote. Ask who supplies and fits them, whether they affect adjacent flooring, and how the finished edges will be supported. Agree on protection measures during cure and the conditions required before the room can be used.
Maintenance, Sealing & Long-Term Floor Protection
Maintenance instructions should match the actual floor, grout, sealant, and finish. Sealing is not required for every tile or grout, and the wrong cleaner can damage some surfaces. Ask for the manufacturers’ written care instructions and confirmation of whether sealing is included, recommended, or unnecessary for the selected products.
Before work begins, confirm the cure times for mortar, grout, adhesive, or finish. These times can vary with product and site conditions. Ask when foot traffic, furniture, wet cleaning, and rugs are safe. If the installer gives a verbal estimate, request the product instruction or written site-specific guidance behind it.
Keep the contract, product labels, test reports, invoices, photos of the exposed substrate, and signed change orders. These records can help establish what was installed and whether the work followed the agreed plan. They also make it easier to direct a claim to the product maker or contractor if a problem appears.
Installation scenarios that reveal what a bid should include
These are illustrative situations based on common flooring risks, not reports of WeShipFloors projects. They show why a written inspection and method matter more than a broad promise to “prepare the floor.”
Concrete slab with a moisture concern: A homeowner plans to install a resilient floor over concrete. The contractor should identify the product’s moisture limit, test using its required method, record the results, and explain what happens if the slab fails. Skipping testing or applying mitigation without confirming system compatibility leaves the owner with unclear warranty exposure.
Wood floor receiving large-format tile: A proposal covers tile but says nothing about framing or flatness. The owner should ask for a deflection assessment against L/360 for ceramic or porcelain, and L/720 for natural stone, plus a flatness check against the tile size. If the floor falls short, structural repair and surface preparation need to be addressed before tile is installed.
Tile in a shower or other wet area: The installer should specify the waterproofing approach and compatible materials, then meet the 95% mortar-coverage minimum for wet areas, with edges and corners supported. The work plan should also show movement joints and cure times. A low quote that omits these details is not comparable to one that includes them.
In each scenario, request a written answer before signing. If the response stays vague, ask for the product data sheet, test method, or responsible party by name.
Conclusion: How to compare the service and protect your budget
A fair comparison of WeShipFloors’ contractor services starts with proof, not reputation language. I would compare its written scope against another detailed bid, then check the proposed substrate tests, compatible products, repair allowances, workmanship terms, and change-order process. The lowest price is not the best value if required preparation is missing.
Before paying a deposit, confirm who performs the work, who is responsible for each warranty, and how hidden conditions will be handled. Do not approve installation over a moisture-compromised substrate or omit required movement joints without first meeting the selected system’s published limits and detailing requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I verify WeShipFloors’ installation warranty from this review?
No. Request the current written warranty and confirm who provides it, what it covers, and how to file a claim.
Does a flooring warranty cover installation defects?
Not necessarily. Product and workmanship warranties can be separate. Read both documents and ask who covers removal and replacement labor.
What moisture test should a contractor use on concrete?
Use the test method and limit required by the selected flooring system. Common methods include ASTM F1869 and ASTM F2170.
What deflection is needed for tile?
The stated criteria are at least L/360 for ceramic or porcelain and L/720 for natural stone. Structural repairs may be needed if the floor does not meet them.
How flat must a surface be for tile?
ANSI A108.02 baseline is 1/4 inch in 10 feet for tile with all edges under 15 inches, and 1/8 inch in 10 feet when an edge is 15 inches or longer. Product requirements may be tighter.
Should a contractor lift tiles to check mortar coverage?
Yes. Periodic checks help confirm the minimum coverage: 80% in dry interior areas and 95% in wet and exterior areas, with edges and corners supported.
Does a membrane fix a weak wood floor?
No. A membrane does not correct inadequate deflection or structural damage. Repair the framing or subfloor before covering it.
Is a 1/4-inch perimeter gap always required?
No. It is a common starting detail, but the required joint depends on the flooring system and project. Follow the applicable instructions and TCNA EJ171 for tile.
Does a DCOF of 0.42 make tile slip-proof?
No. It is a commonly referenced criterion for certain level interior spaces expected to get wet, not a guarantee against slips or a universal suitability rating.
What should I save after installation?
Keep the contract, test results, product details, warranty documents, invoices, photos, and signed changes. These records help clarify what was promised and installed.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Hargrove. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
