Profession floor install or DIY?

Question

I plan to install a new kitchen floor, about 12 by 20 feet. Is it better to pay a professional to do it, or try it myself? I've never done any big home projects before.

Answer 1

That depends on what kind of flooring you are going to use and whether you are up for the challenge.  If you are planning on doing laminate, it is cake; do it yourself.  Tile is quite a bit more work, but still within the realm of DIY, and you'll save a ton of money by doing it yourself.  Vinyl flooring is also pretty easy.  The hardest part is cutting it out, but the way to do it is to use newspaper to make a full-size template of your kitchen, take it outside, lay it on your unrolled vinyl flooring, trace it and cut it out.  Then roll it back up and take it inside.  You also have the option of doing the peel-and-stick vinyl tiles that come in a variety of looks and patterns.  Basically, decide what you want to use, look at some books on it, and check your local home centers because they usually have free classes on how to do it.

Answer 2

If you get laminate flooring it's not to hard. They sell a install kit. You have to have a 1/4" expansion gap all the way around & finish it of with 1/4 round or cove base.

Always better to get a pro. Average price would be about $5.00 a sq. ft. for the floor & about $1.50-$2.00 a ft for the trim.

Answer 3

well if you fell you can get the floor ready as in remove the old floor and make sure the existing floor joists are do not need repair then do it your self you will save some money and learn some things but if you don't have the knowledge you might want to hire someone that does as to save time and money . ps you can always go down to your local library and look up a book on how to do it so you can .