Installation 101: DIY or Go Pro?

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It can be difficult to decide whether you want to undertake a flooring installation by yourself, or hire a professional contractor to do the work for you. The following are several things that you may want to take into consideration.

Most people decide to install their own flooring in order to save money. If you do the work yourself, you don’t have to pay for labor. However there may be unexpected costs associated with undertaking this project on your own. Use the chart below to compare the different factors that will determine how expensive this project will be.

DIY Costs: Materials for subfloor preparation and floor installationLabor for subfloor preparation and floor installationEquipment: Purchase and RentalSupplies: Grout, stain, sealer, nails, screws, baseboarrds, adhesives and othersBreakage: If materials or tools break you will have to pay to repair or replace them. Contractor Costs: Materials for subfloor preparation and floor installationLabor for subfloor preparation and floor installationFurniture Moving costsDeliveryFinishing work, sealing, trimCleanup and Disposal

Professionals will own the tools and purchase the materials in bulk whereas you will have to pay retail for your supplies and will have to borrow, rent, or purchase all of the tools necessary.

In some cases you will be able to lower the cost of using a contractor if you are willing to handle furniture moving, material delivery, and or cleanup and disposal yourself.

Only you know exactly how experienced you are at home repair and renovations. The more experience you have at successfully undertaking “do it yourself” projects, and especially at working with flooring, the more likely you will be able to install the material that you choose.

Before you decide, read the installation instructions carefully and make sure that you understand them completely. Consult with the material vendor if you have questions, or just to ask for basic advice.

The installation of different flooring materials will require different skill sets and levels. Consult the chart below for a rough overview of the abilities required for each one.

Ceramic and Porcelain tile: Slightly easier to work with than natural stone, these tiles still require a moderate level of proficiency for a clean installation.

Natural Stone Tile: Installation of natural stone can be tricky if you do not have experience working with tile and adhesives, requiring a moderate level of proficiency.

Hardwood and recycled wood flooring: This will require knowledge of woodworking including how to accurately measure and cut boards, as well as use of a hammer and or screw gun.

Carpet: Carpet generally requires a high level of proficiency if you want to do a professional job. You need to be able to make accurate cuts, and use special tools.

In some cases you may have trouble coordinating colors, or getting a clear vision of what you want the room and the floor to end up looking like. For this reason you may want to consider consulting with an interior designer. Often speaking with a professional for as little as an hour or two can open you up to potential possibilities that you never would have considered on your own.

When purchasing material, ask the vendor the following questions in order to make sure that you understand all of the ins and outs of the installation procedure.

- Does it require specialized tools or materials? Can those be rented from the vendor?

- Are there special requirements for installation?

- Are there characteristics of the material that can cause problems?

- Is there a warranty, and what does it cover?

Before contacting a contractor, you need to accurately measure the room’s walls and features. Create a drawing of the space on graph paper, using a scale to reduce the figures that you got from taking measurements. This sheet will allow the contractor to estimate material costs so that they can give you a more accurate installation quote.

When getting a quote from a contractor, you have to understand exactly what it specifies. Find out how long the job is going to take, what you will be responsible for paying, and what they will be responsible for doing.

If possible, try to avoid agreeing to hourly labor rates. If you can get a flat quote for the entire installation then the contractor will have an incentive to get the work done quickly and move on. If you agree to an hourly rate the workers and the contractor will be incentivized to do the opposite, taking longer on the work so that they can get paid more.