Flooring: what bids leave out
Flooring bids are usually priced by the square yard or square foot, and the gaps hide in the prep. One bidder includes moisture testing, patching, leveling, rubber base, transitions and protection. Another prices material and install over a perfect slab and excludes everything underneath it. On a TI with an old slab, that difference can be the whole job.
Level your flooring bids with this checklist →
Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
Sending it out? Use the free scope letter template to ask every bidder for line-item scope, inclusions, exclusions and alternates. Terms to know: exclusion, allowance, alternate.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Areas and floor types included (carpet tile, LVT, sheet vinyl, VCT, tile, sealed concrete) |
| 2 | Products, colors and patterns per spec, or approved equal |
| 3 | Quantities and waste factor |
| 4 | Removal of existing flooring and adhesive |
| 5 | Moisture and pH testing of the slab |
| 6 | Moisture mitigation system if tests fail |
| 7 | Floor prep: grinding, crack repair and patching |
| 8 | Self-leveling underlayment |
| 9 | Adhesives per manufacturer warranty |
| 10 | Underlayment or cushion |
| 11 | Wall base: rubber, tile or wood |
| 12 | Transitions and reducer strips |
| 13 | Stair treads, risers and nosings |
| 14 | Walk-off mats and entry flooring |
| 15 | Tile setting materials, grout and sealer |
| 16 | Polished or sealed concrete (if in flooring scope) |
| 17 | Furniture and equipment moves |
| 18 | Phasing and after-hours work in occupied spaces |
| 19 | Protection of finished floors |
| 20 | Final cleaning and initial floor finish / wax |
| 21 | Attic stock |
| 22 | Sales tax, freight and bond |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor prep |
| Most flooring problems start under the floor. A bid that assumes a perfect slab isn't comparable to one that prices grinding, patching and crack repair. | TBD |
| Moisture testing & mitigation |
| High slab moisture can make adhesive fail and void the flooring warranty. Get testing priced, and get an add price for mitigation if results come back high. | TBD |
| Leveling |
| Uneven slabs show through resilient flooring. Self-leveler can add up fast across a large area. | TBD |
| Removal of existing flooring |
| Old flooring and adhesive have to come up, and older adhesives may need testing before removal. Check whether demo or flooring carries it. | TBD |
| Wall base & transitions |
| Base and transitions are lots of small pieces. Leave them out and the job doesn't look finished. | TBD |
| Furniture moves & phasing |
| In occupied spaces, moving furniture and working nights adds real cost. Price the conditions you actually have. | TBD |
| Stairs & specialty areas |
| Stairs, walk-off mats and tile areas are often priced separately or skipped. Check each floor type on the finish schedule. | TBD |
| Protection & cleaning |
| New floors get damaged by trades working after the install. Decide who protects them and who does the final clean. | TBD |
| Attic stock |
| Extra material matched to your dye lot makes future repairs easy. Ask for it up front. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- What slab condition does your price assume? What floor prep is included?
- Is moisture testing included? What is your add price for mitigation if tests fail?
- Is self-leveling underlayment included, and over what area?
- Does your price include removing existing flooring and adhesive?
- Are wall base, transitions and stair nosings included?
- Does your price assume an empty space and normal working hours?
- Who protects the floors after install, and is final cleaning included?
- How much attic stock is included for each product?
Bid-ready flooring contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist