Hardwood Floors August/September 2025

EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS The tools needed to get the job done vary depending on the scope of work, but the basics tend to stay the same. “Table saw, miter saw, jigsaw, oscillating tool, and a router. Hand tools, good chisels, mallets, and a vacuum,” lists Elquest. “On every project that we are going to do, those go with me.” Cesar Cardona of Cardona Flooring in Stamford, Connecticut, emphasizes lighting when making his list of must-haves. “Dust containment systems, vacuums, floor protection materials, sanders, edgers, buffers, LED curing equipment, respirators, safety glasses, and ear protection.

Going into the job, Elquest notes that a big factor is whether or not someone is living at the home. For example, you can’t really set up a saw system in the middle of a living room when someone is trying to live there. Other points to consider include confirming with homeowners that furniture will be removed before your work begins, where to park, protecting areas not being worked on, and how to safely secure everything at the end of the day to avoid any potential for injuries involving homeowners or children living there. Additionally, when no one is staying in the home during a project, determining whether it is protected enough to leave your tools behind, if a lock box system is needed, or if it would be best to load everything back up at the end of the day.

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