Before you start planning your residential or commercial floor renovation project, you should ask yourself a few questions. Are the current floors ugly and unsafe? Do the current floors block the flow of your home? What are the practical reasons for a renovation? If you answered “yes” to both, it’s time to make a decision. If not, consider hiring a professional to do it for you. Read on for more information. Here are a few reasons why you should renovate your flooring.
Cost
While flooring can increase the value of your home, the cost of installing new flooring can also raise your overall remodeling costs. It’s important to budget for materials, labor, and contractors when doing your renovation project. Remember that unexpected costs can arise, so you’ll want to prepare for them ahead of time. Purchase extra flooring tools, as well as an emergency fund, just in case something goes wrong. Here’s how to save money on your flooring renovation project.
The cost of refinishing your flooring depends on the material used, the square footage, and the type of labor involved. The amount of labor required depends on the level of expertise needed and the size of the area. In contrast, a single person can install tile in a foyer, whereas multiple people are needed for a large kitchen. Licensed flooring experts will give you a free estimate so you can gauge the cost of your project before hiring anyone.
Refinishing floors can be inexpensive and easy, with costs ranging from $5 to $10 per square foot. Carpets are easy to install and often require fresh underlayment. Tiled flooring, however, requires a full day of work. Besides the flooring material, the refinishing of wood floors can cost anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot, depending on the type of wood used. But be prepared to spend up to $25,000 on luxury materials.
Before you can get started with the installation process, you need to decide what materials to use. You can install wood floors, linoleum, or tile over existing ones. However, most manufacturers recommend removing the old flooring, as it will reveal hidden subfloor problems. Installing new flooring on top of the old one can also raise the floor, making it difficult to open doors. The cost of removing the existing floor varies greatly, depending on the type of existing floor. Taking out an old tile floor will cost between $1.49 and $3.18 per square foot.
Time
If you’re looking to remodel your home, the time has come to think about your flooring. Old, dingy floors are unsightly and potentially dangerous. You might want to move walls around or change the flow of the room by installing new flooring. Ask yourself a few practical questions to determine if your flooring needs a makeover. Here are some of the most common reasons why you may want to renovate your floors:
Old and worn flooring can get hard to replace and can look old-fashioned. If you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future, you might want to consider getting new flooring to make it more appealing to potential buyers. It will not only make your home look more modern and fresh, but it will also save you money on utilities. It is important to consider flooring as part of a broader renovation so that you can combine the project with other home improvements.
When you’re planning your renovation, you’ll need to decide whether to fix or replace your floors first. Luckily, fixing your floors is easier and faster than fixing walls. However, you’ll need to hire a floor cleaner if you’re renovating the walls as well, which can make the process even more expensive. Choosing which renovation strategy will best suit your budget and your home’s needs is crucial, so choose wisely.
Choosing New Flooring
There are many factors to consider when choosing a new floor covering. For instance, your budget can help you narrow down your choices. For a limited budget, laminate, carpet, or tile may be your best bet. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, hardwood flooring or luxury vinyl plank/tile are good choices. Carpet is also relatively inexpensive, but it may not be the most durable flooring option.
When choosing a new floor covering for your renovation, consider the style and color of the room. Consider the level of activity in each room, especially if it will be a high-traffic room or gathering place. Choosing a new floor covering in a high-traffic area should be particularly careful, since the material may need to be cleaned frequently. Design professionals can assist you in choosing a suitable flooring solution.
If you plan to install a new floor yourself, try to look for secondhand materials. Buying secondhand products may help you save money, as they tend to be more durable. After all, you’ll be saving money and time in the long run by using them for many years. If you’re renovating an existing home, consider looking for flooring salvaged from old buildings. You can also purchase some used flooring from reuse centers to avoid spending too much.
Purchasing new flooring can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are many flooring options available in today’s marketplace. The most popular choices are carpet, hardwood, ceramic, vinyl plank, and laminate. However, you should keep in mind the size of the room when making the decision. For example, choosing a large tile in a small room may make it appear bigger than it actually is. There are many other factors to consider when choosing a new floor, including cost, size, and moisture content.
Professionals to Hire
Before you start your project, you should make sure you know who you’re going to hire to do the work. Ask for references and request written estimates. A professional installer should also provide details on what type of insurance they carry, including personal liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage insurance. You can also ask for their experience working with older homes and similar situations. Be wary of contractors who are hesitant to provide this information or who refuse to quote you a price without seeing samples of previous work.
One way to determine if a contractor is reliable is to ask them if they have a bond. The bond protects the homeowner against the risk of unpaid debts. Check if the flooring contractor you are considering is bonded with the local authority. The bonding requirement differs between jurisdictions, so be sure to ask about this before hiring them. Make sure you check the qualifications of the contractor and see if they’re properly licensed in your area.
Another way to find a contractor is to ask friends or neighbors who have recently undergone the renovation. A friend or relative can refer you to a good contractor, but make sure you check the license and address of the company. Be aware that every state has its own licensing regulations, so be sure to research each one carefully. If you’re comfortable with a contractor, it’s much more likely that he’ll have access to lower prices.
A professional flooring contractor will be able to make recommendations on the best flooring options for your home. They have the experience necessary to complete the job in the fastest possible time. This will save you a great deal of time and stress. And a professional contractor will make sure that the new floor looks great! And because the contractor will be covering his work with liability insurance, you can rest assured that any damages that occur due to faulty work will be covered by their insurance.
Budget
One of the first steps when deciding on your renovation budget is figuring out what the actual cost will be. It is important to keep in mind that the total cost will include not just the price of the flooring product itself, but also shipping and handling fees, installation tools and materials, and professional installation fees. Once you have totaled these costs, you will have a true cost per square foot of floor area, which you will then use to compare different flooring solutions.
After determining your budget, you should search for contractors and their prices. The costs for flooring materials vary widely, and the cost of skilled labor can vary from one location to the next. By knowing the real costs, you can align your budget with what you can afford and can splurge on other areas of the renovation. Also, by knowing the costs upfront, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises later. And, the process will be easier if you have a budget in place before starting the project.
If you are planning to renovate your flooring in the near future, home equity can play a major role in financing your project. Home equity is the difference between the value of your home and the amount you owe on it. Building home equity means you have more purchasing power and can get a larger loan amount with a lower interest rate. This can be a huge advantage when it comes to financing your flooring project. You can even use your tax refund to fund the project.
Using HomeAdvisor or a similar site, you can estimate the labor costs for the project. In general, labor costs account for 20 to 35 percent of your project budget. Remember to take into account the cost of the fixtures and finishes, as well as taxes and shipping fees. Don’t forget to factor in disposal costs and taxes as these costs can be significant. If you are planning to do the installation yourself, you can save up to 40%. However, you should remember that unless you are a licensed professional, you should never attempt electrical or gas work, as this is potentially dangerous.