When it comes to home improvement projects, the largest expense is often the labor that goes into installation. While installing your own flooring would eliminate that cost, there are a number of things to consider before taking on a DIY flooring project:
1. Will DIY flooring produce lasting results?
In this day and age, resources like YouTube have made complex projects more accessible to your average handyman. While DIY-everything is growing in popularity, flooring is not something you want to take too many risks with.
Do your best to follow professional resources like these to make sure your flooring is installed correctly.
2. How much time will it take to install the flooring?
Different kinds of flooring require different amounts of work. For example, laminate flooring installation can probably be done in an afternoon depending on the room. On the other hand, hardwood flooring installation requires more steps and will likely take a few days if you are doing it yourself.
If you are someone who is already crunched for time, you should definitely talk with the other members of your household to make sure they’re ok with having a window where the project is “in progress”.
3. How much money will you save on DIY flooring?
Hiring professionals is a guaranteed timesaver and will produce high-quality results; I mean after all, they are doing this every day. However, the benefit behind turning this into a DIY project is the money you could save.
Taking this route means you will not be paying for the quality and craftsmanship of specialized labor but instead you will only have to pay the cost of materials and tools or tool rental.
You should also consider the host of flooring materials on the market that can range widely in styles, materials, colors and costs.
Focus on what you and your family need in terms of the specific room, the amount of foot traffic through that room, durability and cleaning needs, allergies and pets, then find a product that best meets those needs in addition to your budget and timeline.
Research, evaluate, and compare the costs of DIY vs. hiring a professional for your flooring project:
DIY Costs
- Flooring materials (Get your quote here)
- Tools and supplies (including but not limited to a saw, wood glue, wall moldings, etc.) These will vary depending on the type of material you have chosen.
- Equipment for removing old flooring and installing new materials
If you have questions about the DIY process and everything you will need, come into one of our stores and let our professionals answer all your questions!
Professional Installation Costs
- Preparation and installation labor fees
- All materials needed for installation or repair
- Cleanup and removal of debris
If installing your own flooring seems like a bigger job than you can handle, no worries! It is not for the faint of heart, but there are ways to cut down on time and cost if you are determined to complete at least part of the job before a contractor enters the picture.
- Start by using grid paper to map out the total area that you want to re-floor. This will give both you and the contractor a general idea of what can be expected of the job and an idea of what the materials might cost.
- Do some research to not only find inspiration for what you want, but also to give you a good perspective on what to expect from a flooring professional before you go out and compare the prices of several options.
- Meet with the contractors: after each meeting, you should have a thorough understanding of what the quote you are given includes and make sure the contractor is aware of what exactly you want.