What Is a Certified Wood Flooring Inspector? Training, Certification and What They Do
Need an independent answer about your floor? Contact NWFA certified inspector Joe Avila:
Phone: (908) 232-6600
Email: joe@hugginsflooring.com
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Office: 406B W Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090. Serving clients nationwide.
When a wood floor cups, gaps, buckles or fails early, the homeowner, installer and manufacturer often disagree about why. A certified wood flooring inspector is the independent professional who finds the cause and puts it in writing. Here is what that certification means, how it is earned, and when you need one.
What Does A Certified Wood Flooring Inspector Do?
A certified inspector evaluates a floor problem, works out the chain of events that caused it, and documents the findings so the people involved can reach a solution. A typical inspection includes:
Interviews with the owner, installer and others involved.
Moisture readings in the flooring and the subfloor, plus temperature and humidity in the space.
A close look at installation methods, fasteners, adhesives, expansion space and finish.
Comparison against manufacturer instructions and published industry standards.
Photographs and a written report stating the cause.
For a step-by-step view, see what a hardwood floor inspection includes.
How Inspectors Earn NWFA Certification
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) runs the best-known certification program for wood flooring inspectors in the United States. According to NWFA's published requirements, candidates must:
Be an NWFA member in good standing.
Complete installation and sand and finish training, including the intermediate schools. The basic classes can be skipped with three or more years of field experience.
Finish NWFA University online courses in installation, sand and finish, and manufacturing.
Pass the Inspector School entrance exam.
Attend the five-day NWFA Inspector School, which covers legal responsibilities, site evaluations, testing, interviews, industry standards, photography and report writing.
Inspect two mock-up floors and have both written reports graded and approved.
Sign the NWFA Inspector Code of Conduct.
That code of conduct is the point. It is what gives everyone involved confidence that the report is based on fact and is unbiased.
Certified Inspector Vs Home Inspector Vs Installer
A home inspector checks the whole house and rarely tests a floor in depth. An installer or flooring salesperson may know floors well but has a stake in the outcome. A certified wood flooring inspector has no stake in who is at fault and is trained specifically in wood flooring failures, testing and report writing. That independence is why many wood flooring manufacturers accept only reports written by NWFA Certified Inspectors.
When You Need A Certified Wood Flooring Inspector
A warranty claim was filed or denied.
The installer and manufacturer blame each other.
A new floor is cupping, gapping, buckling or losing its finish.
An insurance claim needs the cause of damage documented.
An attorney needs a report or an expert witness.
A builder or architect wants a pre-installation site check.
How To Check An Inspector's Certification
Ask for the inspector's full name and certification, then confirm it through NWFA before you book. Ask whether they have any relationship with the installer, retailer or manufacturer involved. Our guide on how to verify a certified hardwood floor inspector walks through each step, and how much an inspection costs covers who usually pays.
Quick Answers About Certified Wood Flooring Inspectors
How Do You Become An NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector?
Candidates must be NWFA members in good standing, complete installation and sand and finish training (the basic classes can be skipped with three or more years of field experience), finish NWFA University online courses, pass an entrance exam, attend the five-day Inspector School, and have two graded mock inspection reports approved.
Do Flooring Manufacturers Require An NWFA Certified Inspector?
Many wood flooring manufacturers accept only reports written by NWFA Certified Inspectors for warranty claims. Check your warranty paperwork or ask the manufacturer before you hire anyone.
Is A Wood Flooring Inspector The Same As A Home Inspector?
No. A home inspector looks at the whole house. A certified wood flooring inspector focuses only on the floor and the conditions around it, using moisture testing, industry standards and a detailed written report on the cause of a failure.
Can A Certified Inspector's Report Be Used In Court?
Yes. NWFA inspectors are trained to write clear, factual reports that can be used in legal proceedings, and an experienced inspector can also serve as an expert witness.
Need A Certified Wood Flooring Inspector?
Joe Avila is an NWFA certified wood flooring inspector with National Wood Floor Consultants, serving clients nationwide. Call (908) 232-6600 or book a consultation to get an independent answer about your floor.
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.
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