Can You Install New Flooring Yourself or Should You Hire a Pro?

What Are the Risks of Installing Flooring Without Professional Help?

While there are benefits of installing your floors without a professional, like cost savings on labor and the fun of a project, it’s crucial to be aware of the significant risks involved. What can seem like a straightforward task can quickly become a time-consuming money hole if you don’t have the proper expertise. 

You risk: 

• Subpar Results and Aesthetics: Without precision tools and experience that professional flooring experts bring to the job, it’s easy to end up with noticeable imperfections. This can include uneven seams, gaps between planks or tiles, or misaligned patterns. Such flaws can detract from your home’s appearance and greatly diminish its value. 

• Costly Mistakes and Material Waste: It’s easy to make a mistake during DIY installation. This can get expensive, even if you always measure twice and cut once. Incorrect cuts, inaccurate measurements, and damage during transport can lead to significant waste of costly products. Fixing the mistake often requires even more material and time, which can quickly evaporate your cost savings. 

• Safety Hazards: Flooring installation involves working with sharp tools, heavy materials, and potentially hazardous chemicals from adhesives or finishes. Without professional training and safety equipment, there’s an increased risk of cuts, dismemberment, strains, chemical exposure, and other injuries. 

It’s certainly possible for DIY if you’ve done your research, but do consider these risks and understand that the perceived savings of a DIY installation of flooring can often turn into significant hidden costs and headaches. 

How Long Does Flooring Installation Typically Take?

The timeline for flooring installation varies significantly based on several factors. With a professional crew and the right materials, projects can take as little as a single day. While DIY will almost always take longer than a professional installation, understanding the variables can help you set a realistic expectation for your project. 

There are several factors involved in the installation of flooring timelines:

• Type of Material: You might choose from a variety of flooring types, such as:

• • Laminate or Vinyl Plank: 1–3 days (professional) 
  • Hardwood: 3–7 days (professional)
  • Tile: 5–10 days + curing time (professional)
  • Carpet: 1–2 days (professional)

• Room Size and Complexity:Larger areas naturally take longer to floor. Rooms with irregular shapes, numerous corners, doorways, built-ins, or other intricate patterns can also add significant time. 

• Subfloor Preparation: This is a critical step that’s often overlooked and can significantly extend the timeline. If the existing subfloor needs repairs, leveling, moisture mitigation, or extensive cleaning, the duration can be significantly longer, even for a professional team. 

• Acclimation Times: Certain materials, like hardwood and certain laminates, need to acclimate to your home’s humidity and temperature for 2–5 days before installation. This doesn’t count towards installation time, but will increase the overall project duration. 

When you connect with professionals through our platform, they can provide a detailed timeline specific to your project, ensuring you know what to expect and how to plan accordingly.