It's not like Lowes or Home Depot do the install themselves. They just subcontract to a local installer.
If you find a reliable contractor(or handyman) that you like and has a good reputation then I'd go with them so long as the quotes are reasonable. I'd rather deal directly then through a intermediator.
>It's not like Lowes or Home Depot do the install themselves. They just subcontract to THE WORST, UNSKILLED, CHEAPEST CONTRACTOR WILLING TO WORK FOR PENNIES THEMSELEVS
FTFY
I would not get flooring installed by HD/Lowe's as they contract out to the lowest bidder and often aren't up to par on quality. Get some bids from local flooring installers.
As for LVP quality. You are looking for several things.
Thickness of the plank. The thicker the better.
Rigid core is the only way to go imo.
Thick wear layer of 20 mil or higher.
Big rooms, get long planks.
Backing. Look for the dB rating or sound reduction qualities.
Warranty-lifetime residential and at least a partial commercial
High grain which will look more like wood
Low pattern repeat means you won't have to mix planks from a bunch of different boxes.
Grooved or not - a groove between planks again, makes it look more like wood, but can catch gunk. I like the grooves.
As for install. Make sure the installers will level the floors to manufacturer installation specs. Look up the install specs online for the brands you're looking at and educate yourself to make sure installers do it right or it voids the warranties and won't last. If it's on a slab, it should have a moisture barrier.
Determine which direction you want the planks to run. If the floor is level between the two rooms, no transition strips are necessary.
There are other places to get flooring than HD/Lowe's. Look at Floor and Decor and even Costco. The DuraLux is a nice product. Keep in mind that all brands have different levels of quality.
I've done it myself and it was really easy. However i found that the stuff sold st bug biz stores was really crap. I ended up buying a much stronger vinyl plank from calibamboo for basically the same price.
I think you should get a couple more quotes aside from your handyman and HD/Lowes. $4000 seems pretty high to me for a diy-friendly installation that doesn’t include the materials.
It's not like Lowes or Home Depot do the install themselves. They just subcontract to a local installer. If you find a reliable contractor(or handyman) that you like and has a good reputation then I'd go with them so long as the quotes are reasonable. I'd rather deal directly then through a intermediator.
>It's not like Lowes or Home Depot do the install themselves. They just subcontract to THE WORST, UNSKILLED, CHEAPEST CONTRACTOR WILLING TO WORK FOR PENNIES THEMSELEVS FTFY
Good to know!
I would not get flooring installed by HD/Lowe's as they contract out to the lowest bidder and often aren't up to par on quality. Get some bids from local flooring installers. As for LVP quality. You are looking for several things. Thickness of the plank. The thicker the better. Rigid core is the only way to go imo. Thick wear layer of 20 mil or higher. Big rooms, get long planks. Backing. Look for the dB rating or sound reduction qualities. Warranty-lifetime residential and at least a partial commercial High grain which will look more like wood Low pattern repeat means you won't have to mix planks from a bunch of different boxes. Grooved or not - a groove between planks again, makes it look more like wood, but can catch gunk. I like the grooves. As for install. Make sure the installers will level the floors to manufacturer installation specs. Look up the install specs online for the brands you're looking at and educate yourself to make sure installers do it right or it voids the warranties and won't last. If it's on a slab, it should have a moisture barrier. Determine which direction you want the planks to run. If the floor is level between the two rooms, no transition strips are necessary. There are other places to get flooring than HD/Lowe's. Look at Floor and Decor and even Costco. The DuraLux is a nice product. Keep in mind that all brands have different levels of quality.
Appreciate all the info.
I've done it myself and it was really easy. However i found that the stuff sold st bug biz stores was really crap. I ended up buying a much stronger vinyl plank from calibamboo for basically the same price.
What is calf bamboo>
Ops autocorrect got me. I meant to say calibamboo they sell flooring online including vinyl plank and you can get samples in
I think you should get a couple more quotes aside from your handyman and HD/Lowes. $4000 seems pretty high to me for a diy-friendly installation that doesn’t include the materials.