Having known Merx flooring from a previous business relationship, my wife and I signed a contract…read morefor kitchen and basement floors.
Regarding the kitchen floor, we selected an Armstrong LVT but were never told that the floor would need to be grouted. On delivering material, we were told to pick a grout color; we did not want grout, as the owner knew when we discussed replacing the original ceramic tile floor, but Merx told us it was necessary for the LVT we selected and that the grout, being acrylic, would be stain resistant. Merx used Mapei grout on the floor, which is an inexpensive grout carried by DIY home centers (e.g., Lowes). After several months and weekly floor cleanings, the grout lines in the traffic areas became dirty and, despite our best efforts with multiple grout cleaners and brushes, stained and would not come clean. We called Merx and the only help they offered was a Google search on how to clean grout. We started looking for replacement flooring and soon learned Armstrong does not recommend grout for that floor, but if grout is wanted, Armstrong sells grout that can be used with that floor. We also learned that if a non-Armstrong brand of grout is used, the Armstrong floor warranty is voided, something that was never disclosed by Merx. Several other flooring companies also told us that floor did not need to be grouted which we learned when we moved the refrigerator on second floor installation and found the first installer had butted the floor with no grout lines which was the look we wanted from the beginning. We discovered that the technical specifications for the Mapei grout that they used on our floor indicates light foot traffic must be delayed for 24 to 36 hours and full use of the floor should not occur until 72 hours after application for full stain resistance - also something Merx never disclosed. We were told we could walk on the floor within an hour. We have now replaced the kitchen floor at an additional cost.
The basement floor had its own issues. When the floor was originally quoted, we were told they would move furniture from one side of the room to the other, but on a return visit we were told the rooms had to be completely cleared of furniture, which was impossible. Before floor installation, we received a call and were given the name of the individual installing the floor, but on installation day we got a call from someone else. It turned out that Merx hired a sub-contractor to do the installation - which from our understanding and their Angie's Listing, Merx did not use. Merx did not send anyone to help the floor installer move furniture, so my wife and I had to help with that. Merx then gave the individual a piece of rubber cove base molding to trim down for a threshold in a doorway adjacent to the new basement floor, instead of a standard threshold made for the flooring. Additionally, when we got the final invoice, it was $300 more than the original signed contract, so we had to question that and have it removed along with the $150 to move furniture - which we were surprised they charged in full, given that we helped the installer with moving.
If you do use this flooring company, get confirmation from an outside source on everything they tell you and be prepared that you may not receive the outcome for which you contracted or expected.