A great flooring project starts well before installation day. Here's what to keep in mind.
Whether you're starting from scratch or replacing worn-out floors, the right preparation makes your project faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective. Below, we walk you through how to plan a flooring renovation and how to get your home ready for installation day, so you can feel confident at every step.
To start a home renovation, define your scope, set a realistic budget, choose the right flooring for each room, and hire a professional installer. Taking these steps in order gives your project a solid foundation and helps you avoid costly surprises later.
Start by deciding which rooms you want to update and which flooring types fit each space. Are you refreshing a busy kitchen, adding cozy carpet to the bedrooms, or redoing the whole first floor?
Next, decide whether to tackle everything at once or in phases. Working room by room spreads out the effort, but it also means more disruption over a longer stretch of time. Doing all your flooring at once is usually more efficient and usually involves one round of moving furniture, one installation window, and one clean-up for your family.
Your total flooring budget covers two main pieces: the product itself and the installation. Costs vary based on the flooring type you choose, the size of your space, and the specific needs of your home.
Don't forget to plan for removing your existing flooring, if needed. Taking out old carpet, tile, or hardwood can add time and expense to the job.
The best flooring for your home depends on how each room gets used. Think about spills in the kitchen, muddy paws in the entryway, and little ones playing in the living room. These comparison guides can help you narrow down your choices:
Professional installation protects your investment from day one. An experienced installer handles the details that are easy to miss, including:
The result is a floor that looks great and holds up to busy family life for years to come. Ready to get started? Book your free at-home pre-measure today. One of our flooring experts will come to you, measure your space, and give you a clear estimate of your cost and timeline, plus honest advice tailored to your family. No pressure, no surprises. Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours now and take the first step toward floors you'll love coming home to.
To prepare for new flooring, clear the rooms, ensure the subfloor is clean and level, allow the flooring to acclimate, and plan for transition areas. Before ordering, measure your rooms accurately. Our guide on how to measure for flooring walks you through it step by step.
Remove all furniture, floor lamps, rugs, and loose items from the rooms getting new floors. Most installers will not move heavy furniture as part of a standard installation, so plan ahead. Line up a few helpers, or find out whether furniture moving can be added to your project.
The subfloor needs to be clean, dry, and level before installation begins. Walk the space and look for squeaks, soft spots, or height differences. These issues should be fixed first. Otherwise, they can cause gaps, bumps, or noise in your brand-new floor.
Flooring materials can expand or shrink as they adjust to your home's temperature and humidity. Hardwood and laminate need 48–72 hours in the room before installation. Luxury vinyl plank needs a shorter acclimation period, or none at all, depending on the product. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines.
Doorways, stairs, and spots where your new floor meets a different material all need transition strips. These pieces create a smooth, safe change from one surface to the next. Identify these areas ahead of time so the right materials are on hand for installation day.
Renovating your home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming if you don't have a solid game plan in place. It's critical to spend time on the planning and preparation phase, which is where any home renovation project starts, so it has to be done right. Once you've identified your top tasks and priorities — for example, whether you need to get any permits, or how you're going to allocate your budget — you should hire an experienced professional for help executing your vision. Hiring a professional, such as an electrician, plumber, or flooring installer, ensures better safety, better efficiency, and in the long run, better value.
Depending on your renovations, upgrades to one room could impact another. For example, removing a wall will affect other rooms, which makes it important to get the order right. However, the "best" or "correct" order varies for each project because every renovation involves different steps and tasks. Some renovations are deep and extensive, while others are light and cosmetic.
Start with planning. Before any work begins, decide which rooms you're updating, set your budget, and line up the right professionals. When the work itself begins, handle structural changes, plumbing, and electrical projects first. Then move on to painting and other finishes. Flooring usually comes near the end, so your new floors aren't damaged by ladders, paint drips, or heavy equipment. If flooring is your main project, it's a great place to start, since it sets the tone for the whole room.
The timeline to replace flooring depends on what types of floors are being covered or removed, what they're being covered or replaced with, and the size of the affected area.
Before installing new flooring, measure your rooms, clear out all furniture and loose items, and make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. A little prep goes a long way toward a quick, stress-free installation and a floor that lasts.
