How to Find and Verify an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector

Oct 13

3 min read

Updated: 3d

A certified hardwood floor inspector is one who has passed the National Wood Flooring Association's (NWFA) inspector training and exam. To find an NWFA certified wood flooring inspector, search the National Wood Flooring Association's "Find a Professional" directory at woodfloors.org and filter for certified inspectors, then confirm the inspector's certification is current and that they have no financial tie to the manufacturer, retailer or installer in your dispute.

Why certification matters

The NWFA certifies inspectors who have passed training and testing on wood flooring installation, finishing and failure analysis. Manufacturers, insurers and courts give more weight to reports from certified inspectors because the inspector is working from the same industry guidelines the warranty and installation instructions are based on.

Questions to ask before you hire

Is your NWFA inspector certification current, and can you share your certification details?
Do you work for, or receive referrals from, the manufacturer, retailer or installer involved?
What will the inspection include: moisture testing of flooring and subfloor, humidity readings, photos, and a written report?
How soon after the visit will I receive the report, and what does it cost?
Have you served as an expert witness if the dispute goes further?

What a good inspection report includes

A strong report states the complaint, describes the home and installation, lists every measurement with the instrument used, compares findings with NWFA guidelines and the manufacturer's instructions, and gives a clear conclusion about the most likely cause. Photos should be labeled and tied to the readings.

Quick answers about certified hardwood floor inspectors

What is a certified hardwood floor inspector?

An independent professional who has passed the NWFA's inspector certification and investigates why a wood floor failed: cupping, gaps, buckling, finish problems or installation defects. The result is a written report based on measurements and industry standards, not opinion.

How do I check that a flooring inspector is NWFA certified?

Search the NWFA directory at woodfloors.org, and ask the inspector for their NWFA digital badge. The NWFA issues its certifications as Credly badges, which show the holder's name and whether the certification is still active.

How is a hardwood flooring inspector different from a home inspector?

A home inspector checks a whole house at a general level, usually for a sale. A hardwood flooring inspector focuses only on the floor, takes detailed moisture and humidity readings, and determines the cause of a specific failure for a warranty claim, insurance claim or lawsuit.

When should I hire a certified flooring inspector?

When a floor is cupping, gapping, buckling or failing and the cause isn't clear, when a warranty claim has been denied, or when the homeowner, installer and manufacturer disagree about who is responsible. See what a hardwood floor inspection costs.

Work with an NWFA certified inspector

National Wood Floor Consultants is led by Joe Avila, NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector, and serves homeowners, contractors, insurers and attorneys in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and major U.S. cities including Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Call (908) 232-6600.

About The Author

Joe Avila is the founder and lead consultant of National Wood Floor Consultants, with 26 years in wood flooring. He is an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector, installer and sander, and teaches accredited AIA, ASID and IDCEC continuing education for architects and designers. His project experience includes Montclair University, One Wall Street, institutional and landmark buildings, and luxury residences and penthouses, and he pioneered subfloor sound-attenuation systems for New York City apartments. Read Joe's full profile.