The more you're willing to share when asked questions like these below, the better your flooring selection will be.

• How is the room used?
• What is the activity level of the room?
• Is there a door to the outside in the room?
• Do you have indoor pets?
• What are the room's lighting sources?
• What types of furnishings do you have?
• What's the style of the room? Traditional? Contemporary? Rustic?
• What's the feel of the room? Casual? Formal? Somewhere in between?
• Are you living with this new floor or planning to sell your home?
• What is the size of the room?
• Will people have food in this room? Will kids play in this room? Will kids play with their food in this room?

You probably shop for flooring so rarely, you shouldn't be expected to have the answers. But it's great to have the questions, right?

• Do you charge for an in-home estimate? If so, does it apply to the cost of purchase?
• Does the price include installation?
• If not, what are the charges and procedures for installation?
• What are the strengths of this particular choice versus another?
• Are there guarantees or warranties on the flooring? On the padding? On the installation?
• What features does this floor have that makes it easy to maintain?
• Can I take a sample home to check how the color will look in the room?
• What kind of padding or underlayment does this floor require?
• How quickly will my flooring be installed after I place my order?

Here are a few other things to know or consider before, during, and after your flooring purchase.

When you go to the store, feel free to take fabric samples. Don't be embarrassed to take whatever you need to help you make the choice.

Your flooring installation shouldn't be scheduled until all your painting, wallpapering, or construction is complete. Your floor should be the last element of your remodeling project.

Check the sample in your home, and be sure to check it during the day and at night. The lighting in the store could give you a completely different look than you'll find at home. Also, look at the sample on the floor, not just at eye level.

We suggest that you make notations on your puchase while it's still on your mind and store it with your warranty information. Things that you may want to keep a record of are:

• Date of Purchase
• Retail Store
• Phone Number
• Salesperson
• Brand Name
• Style Name
• Color Name and Number
• Installer
• Company
• Date of Installation
• Phone Number
• Warranties