Is it better to get a professional to install hardwood floors?

Question

Is it better to get a professional to install hardwood floors?

Answer 1

it may be but its alos alot more expensie. alot of carpenters get so much for each square foot!!

the floors are easy to do now as they sanap together in place. if you follow the instructions you can do it yourself and save alot of money to buy some accessories!!

Answer 2

If you have better than average home improvement skills then do it yourself.  The savings is 2k to 3k depending on the size of the room.

The secret is planning, reading installation directions before starting, patience and not under estimating the amount of time to do the job.

If you think it will take 4 days a truer guess is 10 to 12. So do not rush. If you run into a problem there is plenty of help online or at home improvement centers.  

Answer 3

If you know what you are doing it is easy and will save lots of money.  

Answer 4

tkahrs12... has an excellent answer.

There is an old saying - measure twice, cut once.  Even better, measure three times before cut.

Plan the project very carefully.  Take measurements of the room, drawing diagram to scale (graph paper or CAD).  Re do the measurements (or better yet, have someone else do them) to double check.

Remember you will have scrap (short ends, etc).  

Read the directions, several times.  Decide how you want it to look.

My preference (which may not be yours) is a pattern starting at the center working outwards.  I have the equipment (power miter saw, table saw) to cut the pieces to length, and along their lengths.  Each saw is about $100- for one from Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc - they are no professional quality, but good enough for this job.  All around the edge will be covered with trim, so you have at least a ½ inch to play with, and if you get a little fancy with the trim, you can get a 1¼ inches.