Every May we get the same question: "Can you install my floors before the 4th of July?" Sometimes yes, often no — and the difference almost always comes down to how early the materials were specified.
The Realistic Summer Timeline
Working backward from a typical Memorial Day → Labor Day window:
- 8+ weeks out: Specify materials, place orders for anything special-order
- 6 weeks out: Confirm install dates with your contractor
- 3–4 weeks out: Materials arrive, acclimate on site
- Install week: Demo, prep, install, finish
- 1 week post-install: Settling, final walk-through
If you're starting today and want everything done by July, you're already on the tight end for hardwood and stone slabs.
Readily Available vs. Special Order
Materials commonly available through our warehouse:
- Most popular LVP lines and colors
- A wide range of porcelain tile in standard sizes
- Carpet from our quick-ship programs
- Common quartz countertop colors
Special-order, longer lead time:
- Wide-plank European hardwood (often 6–10 weeks)
- Imported natural stone slabs
- Custom-stained on-site hardwood
- Specialty patterns (herringbone, chevron, Versailles)
Acclimation Is Not Optional
Montana summers swing from cool 50°F mornings to 90°F afternoons, often with very low humidity. Hardwood and engineered wood must acclimate on site — typically 5–7 days — before installation. Skipping acclimation is the #1 cause of warranty failures we see.
Sequencing Tips
- Do flooring after painting, cabinets, and most trim work
- Do tile shower walls before the shower pan tile
- Do hardwood last in remodels — it's the easiest to scratch
- Plan for 1–2 days of "no walking" after hardwood finish coats
Get on the Schedule Now
Our installer partners book up by mid-May for the rest of the summer. If a Labor Day deadline matters, get your materials specified this month.
Stop in to either showroom or request a quote and we'll help you build a realistic timeline.
