After the last plank is in place, the job isn’t quite done. A professional hardwood floor installation guide always includes the finishing steps, which help protect your new flooring and bring out its full beauty. If you chose unfinished hardwood, the floor will need to be sanded, stained, and sealed on-site. This allows for more customization but adds a few more days to the process. If your flooring was prefinished, the final steps are quicker. The installer will inspect the floor for any gaps or imperfections, install transition strips and baseboards, and clean up the work area. Most professionals will also offer advice on how soon you can move furniture back into the room and how to care for your new floors.