I'm wanting to put laminate flooring in my living room, and I'm thinking about putting down tile in the kitchen. I would like to get pricing from a couple of contractors in the area, but I would like to get recommendations on people you may know that do good quality work. I don't care if I go with someone that can provide their own materials or if they would prefer for me to handle materials and only provide labor. Let me know who you got.

8/28/2010 12:37:35 PM

I had someone named Boyett's something or other install ours. I will look it up. He was very reasonable and I thought he did a fine job.

8/28/2010 12:49:48 PM

what would make you think laminate in your living room is a good idea?

8/28/2010 12:51:15 PM

I currently have carpet, so anything would be an improvement. I think laminates will hold up slightly better than hardwoods will to our cats. I would prefer to go with tile throughout the downstairs, but my wife won't agree to that. I don't think the house I'm in is nice enough to justify installing a really nice hardwood or tile floor either.

I'm wanting to install Pergo, which I'm not sure if that's technically a laminate or not.

8/28/2010 1:12:34 PM

this might be a little out there for what you guys are considering, but it's an easy DIY project... my family has used this in a few houses... and bamboo is ridiculously durable

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11542535&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|114|28182|49244|88442&N=4042241&Mo=1&pos=2&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=88442&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10619-Cat49244&topnav=

hopefully that works

8/28/2010 1:19:51 PM

eleusis, i am also about looking to get laminates installed. i think i could do it myself, but i just don't think i have the time.

i am interested in seeing what it typically costs for installation.

8/29/2010 2:34:34 PM

I got a quote from a private contractor today for $2 a square foot to install laminate. Lowe's will do it for the same cost, so I'm inclined to go through Lowes instead for warranty purposes.

8/29/2010 3:40:04 PM

I wish I had pergo instead of hardwoods. With two dogs, the hardwoods looks like shit now.

Hardwood floors are awesome, and preferable... if you can keep them in pristine condition or they have that 100 year old look to them.

8/29/2010 3:55:13 PM

^^^^looking at that magic bond floor... it looks really cool, but it always says "subfloors", so I'm guessing it can't be installed over plywood like on a 2nd story..?

8/29/2010 5:48:25 PM

^huh, why would you think that. Most subfloors are made of plywood.

Lunak, does the magic bond stuff hold up well to animals?

8/29/2010 6:30:35 PM

Plywood is a subfloor, you will be fine.

DO NOT install laminate if your cat is a pee-er. It'll soak into the floor and you'll have to replace all the sections surrounding it.

For hardwoods, you can get gym grade finish for them. You just have to buy the unfinished stuff and put it on because it doesn't come on the regular pre-finished hardwood.

8/29/2010 6:33:01 PM

i wouldn't trust lowe's to do anything in my house

8/29/2010 6:50:20 PM

Lowe's doesn't actually do the work themselves; they just manage subcontractors to do the work. You'd probably make the same comment about Home Depot, yet two years ago their subsidiary HD Supply was reputable enough for your employer to use them as their main material procurer.

8/29/2010 7:05:16 PM

i may order in bulk online (after getting a sample of course).... then i'd just need someone to come put it in (so to speak)... any recommendations for labor only?

8/29/2010 8:18:21 PM

call carlos. they do all my installs at the rbc plaza.

9195598761

8/29/2010 8:48:10 PM

Laminate is actually VERY easy. Measure, cut, connect. That's it.

I did about 500 sq ft all by myself. And it wasn't really "square feet" either. Hallway with 30 degree angle, half bath (around toilet), and dining room with a bay window. Took me 1 whole week, working on it every night after work. The most time consuming part was measuring and cutting the angles. If your area is square, then you can probably do it in a weekend.

[Edited on August 30, 2010 at 1:55 PM. Reason : meh]

8/30/2010 1:51:08 PM