I'm a new homeowner diving into DIY projects to save money, and I'm looking to replace the old carpet in my 300 sqft living room with luxury vinyl plank (LVP). I've done some other home improvements like painting and changing light fixtures, but I'm new to flooring. How many days should I expect to spend on this project? Also, are there any specific tools that could make the job easier? I'm curious about potential challenges as well—what could go wrong, and how can I avoid those issues? Thanks for any advice!
3 Answers
We tackled LVP in our basement as complete newbies, and the time estimates here seem pretty accurate. A couple of tips: definitely use knee pads—they're a lifesaver! Also, removing the baseboards before you start will make things much smoother. Just remember, if you leave the baseboards, you'll have to account for the height difference since carpet is usually thicker than LVP. Stagger your planks for the best look, and avoid doing too much of a fixed pattern.
If you're using click and lock LVP, it's pretty straightforward as long as the subfloor is level. I think you could take a day to rip out the carpet and prep the area, then maybe a day or two to install the new flooring if you have everything ready to go. Just be prepared for anything unexpected, like hidden staples from the carpet or uneven spots that need fixing!
I managed to install a similar type of flooring in about two days without any prior experience. Tearing out the carpet can take anywhere from one hour to the whole day, depending on how stubborn the nails are. I'd recommend removing the baseboards and leveling the floor; that might add an extra day but will really help the final result. Most people can definitely get this done in about two to three days, depending on how much you can focus on the project!