Agree the substrate handover before flooring removal

Carpet, vinyl, hardwood and tile can hide different underlays, adhesives and earlier finishes. Name the visible covering and record any known build-up. The depth of removal matters more than the room label: taking up a covering is not automatically the same as preparing the base for its replacement.

Ask the new flooring installer what they need exposed for assessment. Keep unknown layers on the enquiry rather than assuming the same build-up runs through every room. Materials that have not been identified should be assessed before they are disturbed.

A request for a bare floor can mean different things to the demolition crew and the installer. Confirm whether adhesive, mortar, underlay, fasteners and perimeter strips are included. Agree how a sample area will be reviewed if the bond or substrate condition is uncertain.

Do not promise a flat, dry or installation-ready base merely because the old covering has gone. Testing, levelling, repair and specialist surface preparation need named responsibility and a suitable method. Those decisions depend on the replacement system and the condition exposed.

Check thresholds, stairs, retained cabinets and adjoining flooring before removal. Photograph the boundaries and identify who handles trim or repairs where old and new surfaces meet. At handover, record remaining residue and exposed defects for the installer to assess.

Bring that layer list to an interior demolition review. It helps separate the agreed removal from the next trade’s preparation work without silently expanding either contractor’s scope.

Use one entry per item or work area. Add the drawing or photograph reference, record unknowns explicitly and name the person who will resolve them. Keep the completed record with the agreed scope; the blank fields below are a discussion aid.

Request an estimate with the location, the proposed removals and what must stay. Mention the unresolved items in this record so they can be discussed before the scope is agreed.