Are you thinking about your flooring replacement? Or maybe you just got a new office and you are trying to select and install the right flooring for the place. Whatever the reason, choosing the right flooring type is one matter, and how to install it is another. Some prefer a DIY flooring installation, while others put their trust in a professional flooring contractor.
Before making a rushed decision, take some time to read this comprehensive article about the pros and cons of Do It Yourself flooring installation and hiring a certified flooring installer. Otherwise, it might cost you time and money. You will also get some tips about each installation method.
At the end of this blog, you will hopefully make an informed decision you won’t regret.
Do you have some questions about flooring types and their installations? We are waiting for your call.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flooring Installation Method
Let’s imagine you have gathered all the information necessary to choose the right flooring type for each part of your house, and you have selected them, now it is time to install.
Deciding on the flooring installation method depends on some factors. You should consider each one before making up your mind.
What Is the Flooring Type?
Each type of flooring has its own way of installation. Some are easier, while others need preparations, such as underlayment installation. Except for floating floors (like laminate flooring with pre-attached paddings), other floorings need a kind of underlayment or padding to be installed on the floor first.
Moreover, to install each flooring type, you have to have specific tools you may not find at home. For example, to install solid hardwood flooring or bamboo flooring, you will need a compressor with a regulator, different kinds of saws and drills, a nail gun, a sander, equipment to measure the humidity, moisture, temperature, calcium chloride, and many more.
Of course, you can hire the equipment you need, but make sure you know how each tool works.
How Difficult and Complicated Is the Installation?
Even with the right tools and equipment, DIY flooring installation needs comprehensive information about the process of installing each type of flooring. For instance, vinyl flooring is among the easiest to install by yourself, especially peel-and-stick vinyl tile flooring that is self-adhesive.
On the other hand, hardwood flooring installation and tile installation are more complicated. Some of these difficulties include
- How to use different tools,
- How to measure the place in the right way,
- How to cut the planks or tiles to have the right size,
- How to accommodate for expansion,
- How to check the alignment,
- How to seal the flooring and hide the gaps,
- How to sand solid hardwood flooring.
Now, you know the installation process must be done accurately and one step at a time to guarantee a good outcome. So, make sure you have the necessary skills and knowledge.
How Big Is the Place and What Shape Is It?
The size of the place plays an important role in choosing the flooring type and the installation method. If the place is big, a DIY flooring installation can take a long time and get tiring for you. Moreover, how you lay down planks or tiles can make a place appear bigger or smaller, wider or narrower. So, you need to know what effects you want to make and opt for that.
The shape of the room also contributes to the difficulty of the installation process. Rectangular or square rooms are easier to install the flooring. Other shapes may make the alignment and fitting of the planks or tiles seam-to-seam challenging.
Time and Budget
Sometimes, you have time limitations and a DIY flooring installation will take more time than you expect. In these situations, you should start the project sooner or leave it to a professional.
Another constraint is your budget. Do It Yourself floor installation is more economical as long as you will not make a big mistake. A bad mistake may cost you more than what you had to pay a pro to install your flooring in the first place.
Wondering how much time and money it will take for a good flooring contractor to install your flooring? Get a quote now!
DIY Flooring Installation and Its Pros and Cons
Many people, especially those with some experience in handy jobs, prefer to do the flooring installation by themselves. If you are brave enough to consider installing your new planks/tiles by yourself, then you might want to have some good reasons for that. Because there are both advantages and disadvantages to DIY flooring installation.
Why Go with DIY Flooring?
- Budget: Usually, the main reason for DIY floor installation is the cost of hiring a flooring contractor. The cost of installation by a professional flooring installer can be high, and even more than the money you have paid for the flooring itself. So, you can do the labor yourself for a more economical flooring installation.
- Flexibility: When you do it yourself, you decide what time to start and finish the job, or how many hours a day to work on the flooring. So, everything is up to you.
- A sense of accomplishment: When we finish a hard task successfully, we feel proud. It is even more rewarding if you have saved a lot of money! Besides, on this path, you learn a few skills that are going to come in handy in the future.
- You can get help when you need it: It is always possible to get help from a professional later to fix some of the potential mistakes or more challenging tasks. For example, after a DIY wood floor installation, you can ask a professional to do the floor sanding.
Why DIY Flooring Installation Might Not Be a Good Idea
- Inexperience: As mentioned earlier, each type of flooring requires its own installation process and equipment. Lack of experience may make the process take too long. Also, if you do not know how to work with different tools properly, it can lead to wasting some of the materials, as well as time.
- Mistakes and errors: If you do not learn about the flooring installation process of the specific type of flooring you have selected, or do not learn how to use the right equipment, you are in for some mistakes, even a big mess. This is going to cost you a lot.
- Too much labor: If it is a large place or the project is flooring replacement, it will be too much hard work. For example, in the case of flooring replacement, you first have to remove the old one and its underlayment. Then dump it in the dumpster. Next, you should do the underlayment or floor padding for your new flooring, and only after that, you can start the installation process. This can be too much labor.
- Not having the specialized tools and equipment: It was mentioned above that for each type of flooring, you need specific sets of tools, some of which can be expensive or hard to operate for a beginner. While you may find rental flooring installation equipment and tools at a flooring company, the problem of how to use them properly remains. It can be even dangerous to operate some of the tools if you are not familiar with them, such as a nail gun.
Pros and Cons of Professional Flooring Installation
Hiring a professional flooring installer means you can get a consultant in choosing the right flooring and design. He also removes the old flooring and its underlayment for you and takes care of it. And, at the end of the project, he cleans the area.
Let’s go over some of the benefits and drawbacks of professional flooring installation.
How Hiring a Professional Flooring Installer Can Benefit You?
- Experience and skill: A certified flooring contractor has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for each type of flooring installation.
- Specialized tools: He not only brings the tools and equipment required for the installation but also, he knows how to use them properly and safely.
- Better time management: He can accurately anticipate the time it takes to complete the project faster and more efficiently than DIY installation.
- Guarantee: There is usually a form of a guarantee/warranty.
Our in-home flooring installation comes with a year of warranty. Call us to schedule an appointment.
Why Not Hire a Certified Flooring Contractor for Installation?
- Cost: As the installer is doing the whole project for you, you have to pay the price!
- Being unavailable: You have to plan everything around the flooring contractor’s time. They might not be available for a while, and you will have to wait for your turn.
Tips for a DIY Flooring Installation
Now that we have reviewed the pros and cons of choosing between DIY and professional flooring installation, you are ready to choose the right method of installation for yourself.
If you are ready to go with DIY, let’s go over some DIY flooring tips.
- Make sure the base floor is ready for new flooring installation. Pre-installation preparation is necessary.
- Buy or rent all the required tools for your specific flooring type installation. It is a good idea to make a list of all the tools you will need. Also, learn how to operate the specialized tools safely and properly.
- Whether it is carpet installation, tile installation, wood floor installation, laminate installation, etc., you should learn carefully all the steps you have to take for the installation process. Each step must be done separately and according to the process. For beginners, it is recommended to visualize the process flow.
Tips for Hiring a Professional Flooring Installer
And, finally, if you have decided to hire professional flooring installers, it is important to
- Ensure you are selecting a professional flooring contractor who is licensed and has insurance.
- Communicate with the installer clearly and effectively about the flooring materials, design, time, guarantee/warranty, and cost.
- Ask about his previous experience and see the gallery of his previous installations.
Hire Experienced Professional Flooring Installers in New Hampshire, US
We have reviewed the benefits and drawbacks of DIY and professional flooring installations and we have found out that while hiring a flooring contractor to install your new flooring is easier and more beneficial, it is costly.
If you are ready to take all the risk and labor of DIY flooring, we will be happy to answer your questions and help you in choosing the right flooring type. And, if you are searching for an experienced certified flooring contractor, look no further. Our team of skilled and honest flooring installers is at your service in Manchester, Hooksett, Bedford, Candia, and Goffstown, NH.
Except for any type of flooring installation, we also offer floor sanding, floor refinishing, flooring repair, and floor staining. Get more familiar with our services here.
Call us at 603-782-1942 to schedule an appointment, request a quote, or ask your questions.