I know there have been old threads in the past, but with the lack of search I can't find anything. (Or I'm just too lazy to look.) I'm thinking about tearing up the cheap ass carpet that the builders put in my house a few years ago. Here are my questions: 1. What's the approx I can expect to pay after installation? I know it depends on the type of flooring I select and the square footage installed, but I'm not sure on either yet. What did you guys/gals pay when all was done after getting it installed? 2. Anyone used Home Depot or Lowes to install? Do they charge more or less than anyone else? My neighbor had flooring installed by some dude and it took him about a week I guess. I'm not sure how much was installed though. 3. Laminate? Good? Bad? More expensive? 4. How long have you guys had the flooring and what's been good/bad about it? 5. Part of me wants to keep some carpeting in the bedrooms, but like I said, it's not great carpet and the padding sucks. Would I be better off just getting the whole house done, with the exception of the kitchen/bathroom? 6. How bad is the echo factor in a carpetless house? Thanks.
I can't answer all your questions, but I do think, at the very least, it makes sense to go to Home Depot or Lowes and check out prices / talk to a salesman. These days they pretty much have eery type of flooring you need and are relatively cheap...should give you a good idea at least of what to expect. On the echo factor...it definitely adds some echo, but depends as much on your rooms accoustics as the flooring, I think...in my place it isn't annoying at all.
im having my carpet replaced tomorrow morning....almost a 2 yr old home and pulling up carpet to put wood laminate everywhere except for the 3 bedrooms which i am putting berber carpet. its a bout 1700 sq ft and im leaving the tile in the wet areas...so about 1200 sq ft and i paid about $3500 installed....
If resale value is important to you, then laminate is bad. My house was built in 1941 and was used as a rental property much of that time. The floors were in such good condition I didn't even bother to sand or refinish when I moved in. Hard to say that about carpet. ...and I'm sure laminate wouldn't fare that well either. That's why real wood floors add to resale value. Regarding resale value, wood floors in the bedroom is a negative for most. Most people prefer carpet in their bedrooms. Depends how much furniture and stuff you have. Without furniture, I have a lot of echo. Once I added furniture, echo was gone.
