5.0
Average rating
across all platforms
What customers say
★ 5.0 / 5 across 215 verified reviews.
38 reviews on Google (every one a five-star) plus 177 reviews on Checkatrade at a perfect 10/10 — two independent platforms where every review is tied to a real customer and a completed job.
215
Verified reviews
38 on Google · 177 on Checkatrade
29
Years trading
Established 1997
100%
5-star on Google
38 of 38 Google reviews
Verified on Google
38 reviews, every one five stars.
Pulled directly from Darren's Google Business profile. Click any reviewer's name to read it on Google — every quote, photo and date is verifiable at source.
See the full set on Google
Not only did Forrestal Flooring restore our floors, they turned out better than they were originally. Fantastic job and great service.
Response from Darren
Thank you Debbie it was great working with you both with amazing results!
We are extremely pleased with our hall and lounge after Darren sanded back our 1950's block wood flooring and finished it off with a clear lacquer. It now looks a lot lighter and brighter. Thank you Darren.
Response from Darren
Thank you Shira it was our pleasure as always🙏 …
Amazing floor repair and sanding .. excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price .. really please with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren’s work and communication … thank you
Response from Darren
Hi Sarah thank you for the review, it was definatley a challenge but worth the hard work!! As always our pleasure!
Darren was very efficient and profesional. I would be pleased to reccomend him.
Response from Darren
Thanks Maureen it was a nice project and a great transformation. Our pleasure as always.
It was a delight to have such a professional team to work with and lay our engineered oak flooring. Carl even cut the wood to perfectly fit around a wobbly flint wall edge - stunning. Would thoroughly recommend Darren and his team!
Response from Darren
Thanks Jane for the repeat custom, it’s greatly appreciated and as always our pleasure!
Fantastic job completed by the team at Forrestal Flooring! From start to finish, the team were polite, efficient and professional. The new wooden floor looks wonderful. I have no hesitation in recommending Forrestal Flooring.
Response from Darren
Thanks David it was a nice project to be involved with and our pleasure as always
Excellent service. Darren restored the old parquet flooring in our bungalow recently. Really pleased with the work he did and the floor looks amazing. He was very prompt and tidy. Would highly recommend.
Response from Darren
Thanks Rachel the floor come up really well, our pleasure as always.
Highly recommend Forrestal Flooring. Darren fitted wooden flooring in a bedroom flat and did an outstanding job matching it to the existing flooring in the flat. I was especially impressed with how he managed to level the floor in this grade 2 listed building, the end result looks absolutely amazing. Professional, skilled, and great attention to detail from start to finish.
Response from Darren
Thank you Shaun as always our pleasure and great to work with you again!!
Our dining room parquet flooring had unfortunately been scuffed and scratched by builders when installing a home lift. We were recommended to contact Forrestal Flooring for a quote to refurbish the flooring. We are delighted with the outcome (see photo). Darren with his expertise, skill and knowledge provided a solution which avoided the need for re-sanding though with equally impressive results. We cannot recommend him highly enough.
Response from Darren
Thanks David it’s our pleasure as always.
Darren and his team have just done a superb job for us. Our oak floor was in poor condition due to heavy use and now looks like new. In addition they did wonderful work on our kitchen table and chairs which were made by Armish workers in the US and had an amazing surface which lasted 20 years but needed replacing. Again they look like new. This is of course dusty work but the team did a great job of limiting this and left the house as they had found it, with all the furniture back in place and even pictures back on the walls. We also used Darren and his team 10 years ago in our last house where they laid a big oak floor. The quality of their work was excellent then and has been again this time. Darren is incredibly knowledgeable about wood flooring and guided us so well on what to do. He was a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. We are delighted and cant thank him enough for the work done.
Response from Darren
Thank you David it was great working with you both 10 yrs ago and now, as always its our pleasure! Thank you for using our service's again.
I’m absolutely thrilled with my new solid oak flooring. The craftsmanship and professionalism shown by Darren and Carl were second to none. I chose Forrestal specifically because they offer a fitting service that doesn’t require removing skirting boards—and they delivered exactly as promised. The installation was flawless, with no disruption to my home and no need for redecorating. From start to finish, the service was superb. I would 100% recommend Forrestal to anyone looking for exceptional quality and a stress-free experience. Outstanding work!
Response from Darren
Thank you Zoe it was our pleasure as always.
We just cannot recommend Darren and Joel highly enough. Joel refurbished our old pine floor. We were impressed by how clean the whole process was. The transformation is amazing. It has completely changed the room. Thank you both.
Response from Darren
Thank you Joanna, it’s our pleasure.
Thanks Paul.
Response from Darren
Thanks Paul.
Nothing but praise for Darren and his team. Not only a perfect installation but the friendliest bunch you could meet.
Response from Darren
Thank you for your review 🙏 …
Yet another fantastic piece of work from Darren and team. Couldn’t rate them highly enough!!!
Response from Darren
Thanks Gareth as always our pleasure
My experience with Forrestal was upfront , transparent from the start to finish, they promised champagne and delivered champagne, with no nasty additional costs at the end. I would have no hesitation in recommending
Response from Darren
Thank you 🙏 …
Fabulous experience with Forrestal Flooring with laying new timber floors and restoring old timer floors previously laid. Richard.
Response from Darren
Thanks Richard another 1 completed. All looks fantastic!
Absolutely first class company with the best customer service I’ve experienced to date! Very responsive and conscientious owner that goes over & beyond to ensure the customer is nothing less than delighted with the end result. Would definitely use again & totally recommend. 5 🌟 …
Response from Darren
It was a pleasure to work with you and thanks for the business and confidence you had in the team.
Wonderful service , well needed. Thanks
Response from Darren
Thanks for the reveiw Rebecca, our pleasure as always.
Darren has just completed a wood floor for my mum who is on her own her kitchen and sitting room. The guys took up and away the old wood floor, moved her furniture in and out and laid the new wood floor over two days. Darren and his team were great, nothing was too much trouble. They kept everything clean and tidy and would highly recommend him and his guys. Great to know that companies with this level of workmanship, service and attention to detail still exist. Thanks
Response from Darren
Thank you Karl for your review, it really means a lot to us. It was our pleasure working with your mum. What a great lady!
Excellent from start to finish. Darren is very knowledgeable, friendly & helpful. Carl & Joel were lovely to have in the house, polite, friendly & professional & we are extremely happy with the end result. Highly recommended. Thanks guys 😊 …
Response from Darren
Thank you Karen for your review, we really appreciate it! So happy you are happy with our service 😄 …
Brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Carl did an amazing job and I am really pleased with the results and to finally have the wood flooring I have always wanted. Could not rate Forrestal Flooring highly enough and would have no hesitations in recommending them. Thank you very much 😊 …
Response from Darren
Thanks so much for the glowing review, its our pleasure as always. It was great working with you.
Darren and the team laid an engineered wood floor for us. Second time we have worked with them. They are hugely knowledgeable, on time, tidy , very flexible. Excellent people. Can’t recommend them highly enough.
Response from Darren
Thanks Steve it’s always our pleasure and what a wonderful project to be involved with!
Thoroughly professional service from start to finish. From my first communication with Darren, to completed project I was over the moon with the service, the workmanship and the price. My new engineered wood floor looks absolutely amazing. A great company to deal with, I would whole heartedly recommend.
Response from Darren
Thanks Lee it’s always our pleasure!
Had engineered flooring installed by Forrestal Flooring. Fantastic workmanship great customer service, and a thoroughly professional company. I would recommend them in a heartbeat.
Response from Darren
Thanks John for your review it was our pleasure.
Delighted with the quality of workmanship. The Site visit was carried out and the quote was provided a few days later. Darren was readily available for any questions and advice. Carl and Callum who fitted the floor were really lovely guys, very polite, helpful and considerate throughout. The after-sales care has also been excellent with plenty of advice about how to care for our beautiful new floor. Would have no hesitation in recommending this company.
Response from Darren
Thank you Grace for the review, it’s greatly appreciated.
We would highly recommend Forrestal Flooring!
Response from Darren
Thanks for the review it’s greatly appreciated.
After some home refurbishments, we needed new flooring in the lounge and hallway. Originally we’d just thought of rustic style straight floor boards… with that in mind….Darren came round with his wealth of experience and samples and suggested herringbone! We used the website provided to take a look at visuals of what it “could” look like in the space we were flooring….. and didn’t look back! His team arrived to install…. They were well mannered, professional, tidy and helped guide me through decisions that I hadn’t even factored in! Their patience was amazing! The final product…… we love it! Couldn’t recommend Forrestal Flooring enough!
Response from Darren
Thanks for the review Michelle, the final results look amazing. Kind regards Darren.
We found Forrestal Flooring to be excellent..Great workmanship at a very reasonable price… Callum the fitter was first class and made sure every last detail was attended to.He was a pleasure to have in the house and our dog loved him too….jennie and Stephen Pryce
Response from Darren
Hi Jennifer thanks for the review it was a pleasure working for you both.
We had a wood block floor in poor condition. Darren and his team carried out repairs to the floor and then sanded and sealed so that it now looks like a new floor. It is so refreshing to find a contractor who responds to your initial enquiry, comes out and gives a quote and then carries out the work to a high standard. Would definitely recommend.
Response from Darren
It’s our pleasure Karen, we are pleased your happy with the results!! Thanks for the feedback it’s greatly appreciated.
Darren’s team installed an engineered wood floor in my lounge and hallway. The quality of their work is excellent and I thoroughly recommended them.
Response from Darren
Thanks for the feedback John and we are happy your pleased with another installation by Forrestal Flooring.
Thanks for the review Daniel it’s much appreciated.
Response from Darren
Thanks for the review Daniel it’s much appreciated.
Had a large wood engineered floor laid. Absolute brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Could not rate highly enough. Would have no hesitations in recommending them to anyone! Really good finish and reasonably priced.
Response from Darren
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, We are really pleased your happy with the installation.
Excellent Company. Workmanship is brilliant. Professional and respectful throughout installation Of new flooring and sanding of existing. Wonderful finish. Highly recommend. Will definitely be a repeat client. Thank you.
Response from Darren
Hi Jane thank you for the feedback!! We look forward to working with you again.
I have no hesitation in recommending Forrestal Flooring. They were recommended to me by a friend and I'm so pleased she did. Callum and Darren are professionals, true craftsmen and clearly take a pride in their work. They arrived on time, were tidy, respected me and my home and are completely trustworthy. They installed a herringbone engineered oak floor with a plank border in my kitchen /diner, hallway and sitting room. It looks stunning and is a work of art. It far exceeded my expectations. The whole process was easy from start to finish and the quote was the most competitive with no hidden extras. I wish I could give this company more than 5 stars because it is well deserved. Thank you so much !
Response from Darren
Thank you Cathrine, you feed back is greatly appreciated. We are glad your happy with the service provided.
Highly recommend Forrestal Flooring, competitive pricing and excellent quality of work. We will definitely ask them back.
Response from Darren
Hi Bec thanks for the review it was our pleasure.
Darren and Ben were very professional from start to finish. The pride they had in their work was astounding. They refurbished our parquet floor in our lounge, dining room, hall and study to amazing standard. I would thoroughly recommend them.
Response from Darren
Hi Beverley thanks for the review it very much appreciated
Brilliant service with exceptional craftsmanship. Highly recommended.
Response from Darren
Hi Claire thanks for the review, it was our pleasure.
Straight from our customers
Nine recent jobs, in customers' own words.
A hand-picked set of verified reviews from Darren's Checkatrade record — each one a named customer, a real job across Sussex, and their words exactly as written.
Large oak floor — listed-property conversion
"Darren is very professional to work with. Extremely tidy and puts a great deal of time and effort into the job before he starts, therefore making sure that the floor is laid perfectly. I would 100% recommend him!"
G
Graham Denyer
Chichester
Verified ✓
Oak floor restored & furniture refinished — repeat customer
"Darren and his team have just done a superb job for us. Our oak floor was in poor condition due to heavy use and now looks like new. In addition they did wonderful work on our kitchen table and chairs which were made by Armish workers in the US and had an amazing surface which lasted 20 years but needed replacing. Again they look like new. This is of course dusty work but the team did a great job of limiting this and left the house as they had found it, with all the furniture back in place and even pictures back on the walls. We also used Darren and his team 10 years ago in our last house where they laid a big oak floor. The quality of their work was excellent then and has been again this time. Darren is incredibly knowledgeable about wood flooring and guided us so well on what to do. He was a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. We are delighted and cant thank him enough for the work done"
D
David Kid
Bosham Hoe
Verified ✓
Open-plan floor — newly renovated property
"This is the second property Darren has installed an oak floor for me. As before his attention to detail is exceptional, he clears up and is great to work with. I would 100% recommend him!"
G
George & Pauline
Chichester
Verified ✓
Solid oak flooring fitted — skirting boards left in place
"I’m absolutely thrilled with my new solid oak flooring. The craftsmanship and professionalism shown by Darren and Carl were second to none. I chose Forrestal specifically because they offer a fitting service that doesn’t require removing skirting boards—and they delivered exactly as promised. The installation was flawless, with no disruption to my home and no need for redecorating. From start to finish, the service was superb. I would 100% recommend Forrestal to anyone looking for exceptional quality and a stress-free experience. Outstanding work!"
Z
Zoe Nicholson
Aldwick
Verified ✓
Wooden floors refurbished — dining & sitting rooms
"Forrestal Flooring came and refurbished the wooden floor in both the dinning room and sitting room. At the time Darren explained that the floors would come up as new and I was a little sceptical. He was right and the floors both look superb. Just as important the guys turned up on time, made minimal mess and got the job done on time and within budget. I have no reluctance in recommending this firm if you need your wooden floors made new."
P
Paul Seaman
Arundel
Verified ✓
Bamboo hardwood floor — Midhurst retail store
"A challenging job well done. Darren and his team excelled once again, fitting a bamboo hardwood floor into a very old building with uneven floors and no straight lines to work to. He comes highly recommended!"
F
Florian Kleinlercher
Midhurst
Verified ✓
Parquet repairs, sanding & lacquer — The Thatched House pub
"I have recently bought The Thatched House pub in Felpham and I was recommended Darren Forrestall by a local villager. He informed me that Darren was 1st class and that all the village use him for flooring. Being new to the area I had no contacts for flooring and I was assured by the local that Darren was the best around. I can honestly say that Darren exceeded expectations and that he went the extra mile to make the job perfect. I have now agreed with Darren to have new parquet flooring laid in the rest of the pub."
G
Grant Gainey
Felpham
Verified ✓
Floor-care advice — short-notice booking
"Darren was super friendly and helpful. Helped me out when a different contractor drop out with the work last minute request and Darren came in to help me. He also provided help on how to keep the floor in top condition. I would book him and team again. Thanks again for all your help."
N
Natasha Evans
Goodwood Kennels
Verified ✓
Ground floor & helical staircase — luxury new build
"The advice and execution of the job was exemplary in every way. Darren Forrestal was recommended to me and it now gives me great pleasure to recommend him. His work is superb and he ‘goes the extra mile’ to get things right. -I will most certainly use his services again when the opportunity occurs, I consider him to be honest, trustworthy and passionate about the execution of his trade."
J
John P
Birdham
Verified ✓
Rated on Checkatrade
177 Checkatrade reviews, all scoring 10/10.
Years of completed jobs on Checkatrade's vetted platform — every review tied to a completed job ID and a real customer postcode. Quality of work 10/10 · Reliability 10/10 · Communication 10/10. A handful of recent ones below — the full 177 are live on Checkatrade.
Read all 177 on Checkatrade
10/10
Our smoked oak flooring is amazing, Darren and his team have done a fabulous job. Very polite and everything was cleaned when finished to a very good standard.
Verified reviewer
View on Checkatrade →
10/10
First class job. Estimate agreed and timing fixed. Job finished — excellent. Very tidy and no visible dust from sanding. Polite, friendly and reliable. Recommended!
Verified reviewer
View on Checkatrade →
10/10
Fitted me in between jobs, really helpful and excellent standard.
Verified reviewer
View on Checkatrade →
10/10
Terrific workmanship. The job was completed within the given estimate of one day. The workmen were polite, helpful and left the place spotless. They also went the extra mile with little items like fitting felt pads to the furniture. I can thoroughly recommend them.
Verified reviewer
View on Checkatrade →
Stories from across the patch
Local jobs in customers' own words.
A selection of recent feedback gathered direct from customers on services we've completed across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire — alongside the verified Google set above.
"New Havwoods flooring to hall and kitchen. I would totally recommend Darren and his team — a very clear culture of care and leadership! He is highly passionate about his work and his attention to detail is incredible. We felt very comfortable using Darren's services from the moment we met at the initial site survey. Very knowledgeable, competitively priced and clearly not just a fitter but a solution provider! Recommend him to anyone and everyone!"
"Excellent service. Darren restored the old parquet flooring in our bungalow recently. Really pleased with the work he did and the floor looks amazing. He was very prompt and tidy. Would highly recommend."
"It was a delight to have such a professional team to work with and lay our engineered oak flooring. Carl even cut the wood to perfectly fit around a wobbly flint wall edge - stunning. Would thoroughly recommend Darren and his team!"
"Amazing floor repair and sanding .. excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price .. really please with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren’s work and communication … thank you"
"Brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Carl did an amazing job and I am really pleased with the results and to finally have the wood flooring I have always wanted. Could not rate Forrestal Flooring highly enough and would have no hesitations in recommending them. Thank you very much 😊 …"
"We had a wood block floor in poor condition. Darren and his team carried out repairs to the floor and then sanded and sealed so that it now looks like a new floor. It is so refreshing to find a contractor who responds to your initial enquiry, comes out and gives a quote and then carries out the work to a high standard. Would definitely recommend."
"Darren and the team laid an engineered wood floor for us. Second time we have worked with them. They are hugely knowledgeable, on time, tidy , very flexible. Excellent people. Can’t recommend them highly enough."
"Thoroughly professional service from start to finish. From my first communication with Darren, to completed project I was over the moon with the service, the workmanship and the price. My new engineered wood floor looks absolutely amazing. A great company to deal with, I would whole heartedly recommend."
"Fantastic job completed by the team at Forrestal Flooring! From start to finish, the team were polite, efficient and professional. The new wooden floor looks wonderful. I have no hesitation in recommending Forrestal Flooring."
"Amazing floor repair and sanding .. excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price .. really please with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren's work and communication … thank you"
"We are extremely pleased with our hall and lounge after Darren sanded back our 1950's block wood flooring and finished it off with a clear lacquer. It now looks a lot lighter and brighter. Thank you Darren."
"Darren and his team have just done a superb job for us. Our oak floor was in poor condition due to heavy use and now looks like new. In addition they did wonderful work on our kitchen table and chairs which were made by Amish workers in the US and had an amazing surface which lasted 20 years but needed replacing. Again they look like new. This is of course dusty work but the team did a great job of limiting this and left the house as they had found it, with all the furniture back in place and even pictures back on the walls. We also used Darren and his team 10 years ago in our last house where they laid a big oak floor. The quality of their work was excellent then and has been again this time. Darren is incredibly knowledgeable about wood flooring and guided us so well on what to do. He was a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. We are delighted and can’t thank him enough for the work done."
"It was a delight to have such a professional team to work with and lay our engineered oak flooring. Carl even cut the wood to perfectly fit around a wobbly flint wall edge - stunning. Would thoroughly recommend Darren and his team!"
"Darren and his team have just done a superb job for us. Our oak floor was in poor condition due to heavy use and now looks like new. In addition they did wonderful work on our kitchen table and chairs which were made by Amish workers in the US and had an amazing surface which lasted 20 years but needed replacing. Again they look like new. This is of course dusty work but the team did a great job of limiting this and left the house as they had found it, with all the furniture back in place and even pictures back on the walls. We also used Darren and his team 10 years ago in our last house where they laid a big oak floor. The quality of their work was excellent then and has been again this time. Darren is incredibly knowledgeable about wood flooring and guided us so well on what to do."
"Darren was super friendly and helpful. Helped me out when a different contractor dropped out with the work last minute and Darren came in to help me. He also provided help on how to keep the floor in top condition. I would book him and team again. Thanks again for all your help."
"I'm absolutely thrilled with my new solid oak flooring. The craftsmanship and professionalism shown by Darren and Carl were second to none. I chose Forrestal specifically because they offer a fitting service that doesn't require removing skirting boards — and they delivered exactly as promised. The installation was flawless, with no disruption to my home and no need for redecorating. Outstanding work."
"Had a large wood engineered floor laid. Absolute brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Could not rate highly enough. Would have no hesitations in recommending them to anyone! Really good finish and reasonably priced."
"After some home refurbishments, we needed new flooring in the lounge and hallway. Originally we'd just thought of rustic style straight floor boards… with that in mind….Darren came round with his wealth of experience and samples and suggested herringbone! We used the website provided to take a look at visuals of what it "could" look like in the space we were flooring….. and didn't look back! His team arrived to install…. They were well mannered, professional, tidy and helped guide me through decisions that I hadn't even factored in! Their patience was amazing! The final product…… we love it! Couldn't recommend Forrestal Flooring enough!"
"Amazing floor repair and sanding. Excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price — really pleased with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren's work and communication. Thank you."
"My experience with Forrestal was upfront and transparent from the start to finish, they promised champagne and delivered champagne, with no nasty additional costs at the end. I would have no hesitation in recommending."
"Had engineered flooring installed by Forrestal Flooring. Fantastic workmanship, great customer service, and a thoroughly professional company. I would recommend them in a heartbeat."
"Fabulous experience with Forrestal Flooring with laying new timber floors and restoring old timber floors previously laid."
"Had engineered flooring installed by Forrestal Flooring. Fantastic workmanship, great customer service, and a thoroughly professional company. I would recommend them in a heartbeat."
"Darren fitted wooden flooring in a bedroom flat and did an outstanding job matching it to the existing flooring in the flat. I was especially impressed with how he managed to level the floor in this grade 2 listed building, the end result looks absolutely amazing. Professional, skilled, and great attention to detail from start to finish."
"Amazing floor repair and sanding. Excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price — really pleased with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren's work and communication. Thank you."
"Had a large wood engineered floor laid. Absolute brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Could not rate highly enough. Would have no hesitations in recommending them to anyone! Really good finish and reasonably priced."
"Amazing floor repair and sanding .. excellent workmanship and fair and transparent price .. really please with the restoration of our very old cottage floor and would highly recommend Darren's work and communication … thank you"
"Had a large wood engineered floor laid. Absolute brilliant service from initial enquiry to completion. Could not rate highly enough. Would have no hesitations in recommending them to anyone! Really good finish and reasonably priced."
"Excellent Company. Workmanship is brilliant. Professional and respectful throughout installation of new flooring and sanding of existing. Wonderful finish. Highly recommend. Will definitely be a repeat client. Thank you."
"My experience with Forrestal was upfront, transparent from the start to finish, they promised champagne and delivered champagne, with no nasty additional costs at the end. I would have no hesitation in recommending."
Read the full set
On the platforms that actually verify them.
We don't aggregate reviews on our own site without linking to where they were posted. Every star above is verifiable on Google or Checkatrade.
38 reviews on Darren's Google Business profile — every one a five-star. Reviewers verify with a Google account, dates and photos are timestamped at source.
See our Google reviews →Checkatrade
177 customer reviews at 10/10 from years on Checkatrade. Every review is verified against a completed job ID — Checkatrade phone the customer to confirm the work before publishing.
See our Checkatrade profile →Long-running customer recommendations on our Facebook page. Comments and recommendations from 2014 onwards are public.
Visit our Facebook page →
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Most reviews above started with a phone call from someone in their planning stage. If you're thinking about a new floor or a restoration, that's all the next step needs to be.
