Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about our products, ordering, shipping, warranty, installation, and care.

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Richmond, BC · Walk-ins welcome
Word Of Mouth Floors is a modern flooring company built to make buying floors easier. We help homeowners, designers, contractors, builders, and retailers find quality flooring through a curated product selection, expert guidance, clear pricing, and dependable delivery.
Our showroom is located in Richmond, BC (11240 Bridgeport Rd). You can visit in person during business hours to see, touch, and compare every product before you commit.
Yes. Our showroom is located at 11240 Bridgeport Rd. in Richmond, BC. Walk-ins are always welcome and no appointment is needed. If you have a larger project and would like dedicated time with a flooring specialist, we recommend booking ahead so we can set aside time for you. If you are out of town, call an expert today at 888-966-3579 or email us at hello@wordofmouthfloors.com
Founded in 2019, Word Of Mouth Floors was built on over 40 years of combined experience in ecommerce and the building supply industry. We've helped thousands of customers across Canada find the right flooring for their homes and projects, while serving Canadian homeowners, contractors, builders, and designers for over a decade. Our approach is rooted in expert guidance, dependable service, and a better overall buying experience.
Yes — several of our suppliers provide us with free samples, which we ship free anywhere in Canada. You can order directly from any product page, or tell a specialist what you're considering and we'll curate a set for you. If you can't order a sample directly on the product page, get in touch and we may be able to get it for you.
This varies depending on the specific style of product you're looking at. Typically they're anywhere from 6" to 8" long — big enough to see the pattern, feel the finish, and hold it up against your trim, walls, and cabinetry.
We sell most hard surface floors — tile, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and solid hardwood. We also carry carpet, carpet tile, and rubber, along with a wide assortment of underlay, transitions, adhesives, and installation accessories.
Our SPC vinyl plank lines are 100% waterproof and suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Engineered hardwood and laminate are water-resistant but not waterproof — we'll flag this clearly on the product page.
All our flooring meets or exceeds Canadian indoor-air-quality standards. Most of our vinyl and laminate lines are FloorScore® or GREENGUARD certified for low VOC emissions. If this matters to you, ask and we'll send you the cert sheet.
Measure the length × width of each room in square feet, add 10% for waste (15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts), and that's your target. Not sure? Send us a rough floor plan or sketch and we'll do the math for you.
Three ways: (1) order online directly from the product page, (2) call a specialist and we'll build the order with you, or (3) email hello@wordofmouthfloors.com with your project details and we'll send a quote.
Absolutely. Large orders, commercial projects, and trade customers get custom quotes — including volume pricing and freight estimates. Use the contact form or call directly.
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and wire transfer for large trade orders. Financing options are available at checkout through Shop Pay Installments (eligible customers).
Yes. Checkout runs on Shopify Plus — PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, with end-to-end encryption. We never see or store your full card details.
Yes, on identical in-stock products from verified Canadian retailers. Send us the link and we'll review within one business day.
We ship to every province in Canada, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. Freight is calculated by destination, weight, and product type. Remote postal codes and Northern territories may incur additional carrier surcharges — we'll confirm before charging.
Shipping is calculated based on product weight, pallet dimensions, and the distance required to complete the delivery. This varies on a product-by-product basis. To get the best possible quote, or to find a similar product that might be closer to your location, we recommend speaking to a specialist.
In-stock orders typically ship within a business day or two of your order being placed. However, the actual delivery itself can vary depending on where your product is coming from and where it's getting delivered to. In some instances, products need to be transferred to a cross-dock warehouse before final delivery. To get a more accurate lead time on a specific product, speak to one of our specialists.
Yes. Freight deliveries require someone to be on-site to receive the delivery. The carrier will call you prior to arrival to ensure someone is on site to receive the material. If you miss a delivery, redelivery fees may apply.
Curbside delivery means your order will be delivered to the front of your home or job site — typically to the curb, driveway, or nearest safe accessible area. Someone must be on site to receive the delivery and move the materials inside. Please note that packaging materials, including the pallet, are the responsibility of the customer to dispose of.
Yes — we offer White Glove Delivery (inside the home). With this premium service, the courier typically arrives with more than one driver and will carry the flooring boxes into the main room of your home or job site. Pricing varies depending on the size of your order and your location, so please speak with one of our specialists to receive a quote.
Inspect every pallet before signing. Check for crushed corners, punctured shrink wrap, or water damage. If you see anything suspicious, note it on the delivery receipt (BOL) before signing and take photos. Once you sign clean, it's much harder to file a damage claim. Don't refuse the shipment — accept it noted, then contact us.
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos of the damage and a copy of the noted BOL. We'll work with the carrier to file a claim and replace the damaged material at no cost to you. This is why noting damage at delivery is critical.
Yes, as long as it hasn't been picked up by the freight carrier. Contact us immediately at hello@wordofmouthfloors.com or call. Once the carrier has picked up the pallet, cancellation becomes a return (see Returns & Exchanges section).
Yes. We can ship to the U.S. for select brands that have distribution there. For products available only in Canada, we do not offer cross-border shipping. In those cases, we can still provide a quote for customer pickup from the nearest Canadian warehouse. Please note that any freight, brokerage, and duties would be the customer's responsibility.
Returns are subject to each supplier's return policy. Most products may be returned within 30 days if they are in new, unopened condition and in original packaging. Return freight, brokerage, duties, and any applicable restocking fees are the customer's responsibility. Original shipping charges are non-refundable. Custom orders, clearance items, and any products marked final sale cannot be returned. For brand-specific return eligibility and fees, please contact us at hello@wordofmouthfloors.com or speak to one of our specialists when you place your order.
Partial boxes and installed material cannot be returned. Flooring is a batch-manufactured product — once a box is opened, we can't resell it to another customer with the same dye-lot guarantee.
Please notify your sales representative or email hello@wordofmouthfloors.com with your order number and how many full boxes you want to return. We'll check to see if you're within your return window and then send instructions on how to proceed.
Once returned material arrives at our warehouse and passes inspection (usually within 2–3 business days of receipt), refunds are processed back to the original payment method. Credit card refunds typically appear within 5–10 business days.
This is exactly why we send free samples. If you ordered without sampling first, you're welcome to return unopened boxes under our standard return policy — just know return freight and the restocking fee apply.
Unopened full boxes can come back under the standard return policy. We recommend slightly over-ordering (10% waste for standard installs) and keeping one unopened box as attic stock for future repairs — many customers find this more valuable than returning it.
Yes. Every product we sell carries a manufacturer warranty covering structural defects, wear-layer integrity, and finish. Warranty length varies by product line — most of our SPC vinyl plank carries a lifetime residential / 15-year commercial warranty, engineered hardwood typically 25–50 years residential, and laminate 25 years residential. The exact warranty is listed on each product page.
A flooring warranty typically covers manufacturing defects and issues related to the structural integrity of the product under normal residential use. This can include problems such as delamination, defects in the milling or locking system, finish defects, or other manufacturing-related faults. Warranty coverage does not typically include damage caused by improper installation, subfloor issues, moisture or water damage, accidents, abuse, furniture dents, pet damage, or normal wear from heavy traffic and debris.
To file a claim you'll need: (1) your original order number, (2) clear photos of the issue, (3) the date of installation, and (4) a description of how the problem appeared. Email this bundle to hello@wordofmouthfloors.com and we'll open a claim with the manufacturer on your behalf.
No. Manufacturer warranties cover the product, not the labor. Installation costs — including removal and reinstall of defective material — are the homeowner's or installer's responsibility. This is industry standard across every flooring brand.
Most residential flooring warranties are non-transferable — they apply to the original purchaser in the original installation address. A few premium lines have transferable warranties; check the product page or ask us.
Common warranty voiders: installing over an unsuitable subfloor, ignoring acclimation instructions, using the wrong underlay or adhesive, not maintaining indoor humidity within the recommended range, cleaning with harsh chemicals or steam mops (on most products), or using the product in an application it wasn't rated for (e.g. installing an interior laminate in a bathroom).
Yes — we offer installation services within British Columbia. Please reach out to discuss your project, and we can coordinate the next steps. In most cases, we will arrange for someone to visit the site to complete a takeoff and review the details of your project. From there, we will provide an itemized quote outlining both the labour and the materials required to complete the job.
Yes. Many flooring products can be installed by experienced DIYers, depending on the type of flooring and the scope of the project. That said, proper installation is critical to the performance and longevity of your floors. If you're considering installing the flooring yourself, we recommend speaking with our team first so we can help you understand the requirements, tools, and best practices for your specific product.
Yes — most of the brands we carry provide product-specific installation instructions. If they can't be found on the product page, just get in touch and our specialists will assist in tracking them down.
Yes, almost always. Most products require 48–72 hours of acclimation in the installation room, boxes closed and flat-stacked, at normal living temperature and humidity. Skipping this step is one of the most common causes of warranty denials.
Yes — we offer free in-home consultations within British Columbia. A flooring specialist will visit your home with samples, take measurements, and walk you through your options. You can request one through our consultation page or by calling (888) 966-3579.
For hard-surface floors, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit and debris — this is the single best thing you can do. Use a damp (not wet) mop with a manufacturer-approved cleaner. Avoid vinegar, ammonia, bleach, and steam mops on most finishes.
Use felt pads under all furniture legs and replace them every six months. Avoid dragging heavy furniture — lift it or use furniture sliders. For rolling office chairs, use a hard-surface chair mat.
Most flooring manufacturers recommend keeping indoor relative humidity between 35% and 55% year-round. Wide swings outside this range can cause gapping, cupping, or buckling — especially in engineered hardwood and laminate. A simple hygrometer and a humidifier or dehumidifier will keep things in check.
In most cases, no. Steam mops can force moisture into seams and damage the wear layer or adhesive bond on vinyl, laminate, and engineered hardwood. Always check the manufacturer's care guide — a few premium vinyl lines are rated for light steam, but the majority are not.
Our loyalty program for contractors, designers, and installers. Members get trade pricing, volume discounts, dedicated rep support, and points on every order redeemable for credit on future purchases.
Apply on our Pro+ Rewards page with your business details and trade license. Approval typically takes one business day, then you'll see trade pricing automatically when you log in.
Pro+ is for trade customers only. Homeowners get access to samples, quantity discounts on large orders, and occasional customer promotions — ask a specialist about anything active right now.
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