Skip to content
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Install Your Own Flooring
Flipping through home improvement books or watching your favorite home improvement show often leads to thinking, “Hey, I could do that myself!” There are many ways in which homeowners can save money by doing projects themselves. Installing flooring seems quick and easy, but if it’s your first attempt at a significant improvement project, we want you to go in prepared. Let’s look at different flooring and some of the difficulties of doing it yourself.
Laminate Flooring
A DIY laminate flooring installation could save you money upfront, but you’ll need to invest in the right tools and materials. If your project goes bad, you’ll need to spend money fixing it or paying someone to replace your efforts. When a DIY project doesn’t turn out, a professional installer may have to charge more to fix mistakes. If your room layout is oddly shaped, it can be challenging to cut laminate to fit without professional help.
As with any flooring installation, a degree of physical fitness is needed. There is quite a bit of bending, squatting, pressing, and lifting. It is a workout, to say the least! If you have back issues, leaving this job to the pros may be best.
Hardwood Flooring
If you follow home improvement pros on TikTok or Instagram, watching them install hardwood floors is nothing short of hypnotic! It looks so easy, and that’s the hallmark of a pro, making the difficult look easy. The fact is that installing hardwood flooring is a labor-intensive process that can take several days or even weeks to complete, depending on the size of the project. If you are doing it yourself, prepare to have it take even longer. With hardwood flooring, you’ll also need to seal off the area due to sanding and refinishing. If sanding is done improperly, it will impact the entire job. And don’t think about cutting corners with a low-quality finish, which, if misapplied, can leave floors looking unsightly.
DIY Carpet Installation
Installing carpet sounds and even looks easy. What could be difficult about rolling some carpet out? A lot, it turns out. An experienced carpet installer makes it look simple, but a DIY carpet job can quickly become a lumpy, bumpy nightmare. Aside from wielding a large roll of carpet, carpet jobs need professional-level tools that most homeowners don’t have.
Here’s a sample of tools you’ll need for a successful DIY carpet install:
- Carpet Edging Trimmers
- Tack Strips
- Carpet Stretchers
- Cutters
- Knee kickers
- Adhesive
- Power tools
- Hammer
- Utility and razor knives
- Duckbill shears
- Back and strip cutter
Additionally, if the carpet or any other flooring is not secure, it can create a safety hazard. Installing flooring requires the use of various power tools and professional-level equipment. If you don’t know how to use these tools properly, they can be highly dangerous to operate.
Working with heavy materials and handling hazardous substances can also be a safety concern for yourself and others.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Of all the options, luxury vinyl flooring may be the easiest to install. It still requires much bending, squatting, and being on your hands and knees. It can be time-consuming depending on the size of the room, and you need to carefully plan the layout. You’ll also need to prepare the area by removing all the baseboards and ensuring the space is level. It may be easy to install, but like all DIY flooring projects, you will not benefit from a warranty. For homeowners who do it themselves, you’ll be on the hook for any issues that come up. For the best insurance choose a Lifetime Guarantee and never replace your floors again.
Get Your Flooring Done Right – the First Time!
We understand homeowners may be tempted to save money by doing their flooring project. At Refloor, we urge you to call us for a free quote first. Using Refloor for laminate, hardwood, or luxury vinyl flooring means:
- You’ll have professional teams with the expertise to get the job done right, guaranteed.
- You save time and money. No need to buy expensive tools and equipment.
- We take safety seriously. We follow all safety protocols when using equipment and materials in your home.
- Lifetime Guarantee and the Lowest Price Guarantee
Before you pull out the hammer and strap on the knee pads, give Refloor a call. We have discounts and specials, free quotes, and the best guarantee in the business.