If you are looking for new hardwood floors, Royal Oak Hardwoods is the only company to hire.
We had just recently moved into our dream house, and after doing months of repairs and painting, and deliveries and moving and selling our old home, we were exhausted from dealing with so many service people and companies. We felt like we just couldn't face one more service person. But we knew we had to just surrender and spend a week with more workmen so we could get rid of some really awful, threadbare wall to wall sisal, and have the hardwood installed. We investigated a handful of companies and started our visits to the storefronts. But after visiting Royal Oak's store in Tarzana and meeting Laurie, we suddenly found ourselves thinking... this is the place. Which was surprising since we were still in leary-mode after several disappointing experiences with companies who promised the moon and then way underdelivered.
Laurie offered a bright hello when we walked in and told us to look around. We did, and a little while later, she asked if we had any questions. We told her what we thought we wanted, and in our discussion, we discovered we actually wanted a different product. It was going to be a big investment for us, and researching online is good. But then to have a discussion with someone who has been doing this for years and knows everything about all of the hardwood providers and products, that was gold. She made what we thought was going to be an overwhelming experience into a non-stressful and even enjoyable one. We had decided on walnut, and she showed us a dozen samples - explaining the pros and cons of each. We narrowed it down to five, and she sent us home with samples so we could see how they looked in our home.
We lived with them a few days, and the choice of color and brand became clear to us. After we decided, Bo the owner, came out to measure the rooms. He was funny, sweet, and truly excited for us. Yu can tell he loves what he does. He took time to explain the entire process, what would happen from tearing out the horrible sisal, to prepping the cement slab, the installation, clean up, and tips on how to care for the floor.
For the install, we had Shawn and Christian, and we can't recommend them highly enough. We have never had such prompt, cheerful, knowledgable, considerate and neat workers ever, Which was good because we had both come down with the world's worst colds the day before they began, so the whole time they were there working, we were in the house every minute, no escape. But the experience was fine. They were on time everyday, and always in the best of moods. They cleaned up at the end of the day, and you would never know anyone was there. No dust, no mess, nothing.
And the floors. They are so beautiful. We still can't get over them. The job they did was just fabulous. And our floors presented a challenge. The two rooms we did are very large, each with a fireplace, and the second room had a wall that angled away. So the choice of laying the wood so that it looked squar to the several door openings, was tricky. But Shawn nailed it. Which was good, because if the pattern hadn't been straight from every doorway, it would have driven me nuts. Instead, we are so happy. Our floors are gorgeous, and if we had known it could be done this easily, we never would have waited so long.
Give Laurie or Bo at Royal Oak a call. Or just stop by. You'll be very happy you did. read more