Flooring is one of the most costly parts of any renovation project. It’s also one of the most difficult to redo if you choose the wrong material.
It’s important to find a contractor that is dedicated to engineering value into every dollar spent on your flooring project. That starts with informed product selection.
1. Do Your Research
Home renovation can be expensive, especially when it comes to flooring. But you can save money on your project if you’re willing to do some research.
First, look at the costs of different materials. Then compare those prices to find the best deal. For example, natural stone is more expensive than glazed ceramic or porcelain tile, but it can add value to your home. It’s also durable, so it will last a long time. It’s an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers and other high-traffic areas.
Another way to save money is to get a free estimate from several contractors. Make sure to ask them about installation charges and extra fees, such as removing an existing floor, furniture moving or disposal of old materials. Also, be sure to ask about the contractor’s experience. If possible, choose a professional with certifications and insurance. A good installer can make a big difference in the overall cost of your project.
Hardwood floors are a popular choice for many homes because they’re durable and add value to the property. But be careful not to go overboard with your hardwood remodel. For example, if you’re replacing hardwood in a living room, consider using engineered wood instead of solid hardwood to cut costs. Engineered wood can withstand moisture better than hardwood, but it’s not as durable as solid wood.
If you’re going with wood, look for a recycled product or certified sustainable wood. Cutting down trees faster than they can grow back contributes to global warming, so it’s important to find a way to reduce the amount of new lumber that’s being used. And don’t forget to consider other flooring options, such as tile or vinyl. These are less expensive than wood, but they’re still a great choice for high-traffic areas.
2. Look for Discounts
As with any significant purchase, the total cost of ownership should be considered. A cheap floor covering could end up costing more in the long run if it’s easily damaged, difficult to clean or warps due to fluctuating humidity levels. It’s important to know the difference in quality between inexpensive materials and those that are designed for longevity.
Most flooring stores are willing to offer discounts if you ask nicely. Many are even willing to give you a discount if you’re buying all the materials for your project at one time. This makes it easier to manage your budget and avoid costly mistakes.
Another way to save money is by negotiating with your contractor. Some contractors will charge an hourly rate for labor, while others may only charge by the square foot. If you can take on some of the labor yourself, such as removing furniture and disposing of old flooring, you could significantly reduce the cost of your project.
If you have a truck or are willing to rent one for the day, you can also save on delivery fees by picking up your own materials. This can be especially beneficial if you’re purchasing materials for a small project, such as installing wood floors in a bedroom or home office.
Many flooring retailers have what are called “discount material stores” where they shop the remaining materials (also known as overruns) from the retail showroom and then sell them by the truckload at a much more affordable price. These stores are an excellent resource for sprucing up your living space on a tight budget.
3. Ask for Referrals
Getting new business through referrals and word-of-mouth is a common strategy for many flooring businesses. Customers who are pleased with your work are often happy to share their positive experience with others. For example, they might mention that a friend also needs new floors or tell an acquaintance about the affordable options available with Luna Carpet.
Asking for referrals after completing a project is an easy way to generate new leads. For example, you might offer a customer a discount on future flooring purchases for each referral that results in a sale. This can be especially useful for people who are replacing flooring in more than one room of their home, as they may need to order additional products.
You might also host workshops for homeowners to educate them on the various types of flooring, such as how to install laminate, hardwood and engineered wood. This builds credibility and shows you have a genuine interest in helping customers make informed choices. In addition, workshops may allow you to reach a broader audience than your traditional storefront clientele.
Another way to generate leads is to focus on the upfront costs of flooring installation. Miller recommends comparing two estimates from different contractors, paying particular attention to the level of detail on preparation and cleaning. A contractor who goes into more detail about surface preparation, moisture tests and other factors that affect the cost of a job is more likely to save you money on your overall project.
Ultimately, the best way to save money on your flooring projects is by choosing the most valuable solutions for your project’s budget and application needs. Using an experienced flooring contractor who employs value engineering strategies throughout a project will result in significant savings at installation and for years to come.
4. Look for Reviews
Choosing the right flooring can be an expensive undertaking. The cost of hardwood floors alone can be a deterrent for homeowners and even business owners who are considering updating their spaces. However, it’s important to know that there are a variety of strategies available for saving money on your flooring projects.
When evaluating flooring bids, it’s crucial to consider the total cost of the project, including installation and materials. This concept is called value engineering, and it’s an essential part of every successful project. Using this approach, you can find the best-value solutions for your space and budget.
In addition to considering your budget, you should also weigh the durability of each product. For example, solid wood and some engineered woods aren’t as resistant to moisture as vinyl or porcelain tile is, which can be problematic in areas of the home such as kitchens and bathrooms. Epoxy advantages, on the other hand, include high durability and resistance to chemicals.
Aside from the initial purchase of materials, you’ll also need to factor in labor and delivery costs. It’s important to discuss your options with your contractor, and be open to making some cuts in order to reduce your overall costs.
Whenever possible, try to avoid purchasing a full room’s worth of flooring at one time. Typically, a flooring contractor will add between 5% and 12% to the square footage of a room to account for cut-offs and waste. In many cases, you can save money by ordering less-expensive species of solid hardwood or opting for engineered wood, which is made up of multiple layers to ensure longevity. You can also look for laminate or vinyl, which are both durable and affordable. Additionally, if you’re willing to invest the time and energy, you can install the floor yourself, which can be a substantial savings.
5. Shop Local
In addition to saving money on materials, homeowners can also save a lot by doing the installation themselves. However, it’s important to understand how much labor goes into a flooring project before making this decision. This includes everything from laying the subfloor to installing the baseboards. It’s also critical to know how to install the flooring properly so it will last. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the project yourself, ask friends and family for referrals to a local installer who works on commercial projects. These individuals work on much lower margins than retail salespeople, which can help save you a lot of money in the long run.
Before you head to a flooring store, determine how much you’re willing to spend and make that clear to your salesperson. Then, have them take measurements in your home and use those numbers to pull up product options that fit within your budget. This approach will help keep you from wandering around a store, looking at products that will exceed your price point.
Wood flooring can add beauty to a room, but it can also be expensive. Less-expensive species such as oak and American cherry cost $5 to $10 a square foot, while pricier options like Brazilian walnut and mahogany can go up to $14 a square foot. When choosing wood floors, look for special sale deals to cut the costs even further.
Other ways to save include shopping at carpet warehouses for remnants; bargain-shopping lighting and plumbing fixtures online; purchasing discounted floor models of appliances and furniture; and seeking out scratched and dented items on Craigslist or eBay. Another top strategy is to shop locally, as this helps support a community in ways that buying goods and services from large corporations cannot.