Laminate Flooring Installation – DIY or Hire a Professional?

Laminate flooring installation is frequently touted as a great DIY home improvement project. But should you really do the installation yourself? Learn more in this video from BuildDirect:

If you are not a do-it-yourself type of person, you may want to check locally and ask your friends and co-workers who they would recommend to do a flooring installation. Still thinking DIY? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you enjoy building things? If you are, laminate floor installation is a great project for you.

• Do you take the time to do it right? Are you patient enough to measure several times so you only have to cut once? If not, you might not be happy with the result. It may be better for you to call an installer.

• Do you finish what you start? If you tend to procrastinate or get easily frustrated while working on a project, you may want to think twice about doing it yourself.

• Do you have any physical limitations? You will spend a lot of time on your knees as well as bending, crouching, reaching down and standing up. You may not want to do the installation yourself if you have problems with your back or knees.

• Are you comfortable using sharp tools? If you are afraid of using saws or tools with blades, you will probably be better off calling an installer.

• Can you afford hiring a professional? Even if you like DIY projects, you might just want to give yourself a break and let someone else do the installation.

If you purchase laminate flooring with a glueless click-lock system and a pre-attached underlay, your installation will be an easy DIY job. If you’re a building “newbie”, laminate flooring installation is an ideal first project. Be aware, however, that some manufacturers like Mannington and Wilsonart recommend using a professional installer. You should also check to see whether you will have full warranty protection for your flooring if you choose to do your own installation.