When installing engineered wood flooring, it is always recommended that you get in an expert to complete the job for you. Unless you really know what you’re doing or you have extensive DIY experience, this is the best way to ensure you get a truly professional finish.

If you do attempt to install your engineered wood flooring yourself, there are a few important things you need to know before you start.

• Get all tools and equipment ready before you begin. Make sure you hire, buy or borrow any equipment you need ahead of time to avoid unnecessary and potentially damaging delays when laying your floor.

• Assess the condition of the sub-floor. Before any wood flooring can be laid in a room, the sub-floor needs to be in good condition – dry, even, flat and undamaged. You may need to call in a professional to work on the sub-floor if it is not in good shape.

• Acclimatisation. Check whether the engineered wood flooring needs to be acclimatised to the room or not (this is where it is laid out to adjust to the heat and humidity in the room). This may prevent any slight warping or swelling from occurring later on, particularly if the room is a very hot or humid space.