What type of flooring would you use in a fixer?

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What type of flooring would you use in a fixer?

Maya Torres
Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes

Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of trying to select flooring for my live in flip. My husband and I will be living in this house for 3 years minimum so I don't want to go cheap with flooring but don't wanna go too expensive either. What type of flooring would you suggest or have you used and what's the max you would pay per SF? Thank you!

Maya 

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Frank Wong
Real Estate Broker · Bay Area · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y

I like vinyl plank floors.  They look like laminate but are waterproof.  You can then rent out the house knowing that water won't be an issue from tenant spills.  The floors are not as long tested in the market place like laminate but if the claims and durability on warranty are true then I really like the product.  So far I am happy with the results.  Most people think it looks like wood.  The ones I buy are around $2.80-3.20sqft. 

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  • Melissa Gittens
    Real Estate Broker · Windsor, CT · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 268 votes
    7y

    @Maya Torres I would suggest checking out properties for sale that have been fixed and flipped to see what the market is doing as far as flooring. What we recommend in our areas may not necessarily be suitable for yours. If you are planning to hold the property as a rental after you move the. I would go with a sustainable flooring option.

    1Reply
  • Ben Wilkins
    Rental Property Investor · York, PA · Member since 2017 · 377 posts · 315 votes
    7y

    As I haven't seen any brands listed, I'll go ahead and recommend QuickStep Wood Plank Laminate. I've used it in my own home as well as several apartments now, and love it. My own house has a 3 year old boy, a dog, three cats, and I work in a Paint Shop so usually have some harsher chemicals on my shoes when I come home - I have yet to see any wear on the flooring in the year that we've had it.

    Pros:
    • $2/sqft
    • Durable
    • Underlayment pre-attached (if you choose to use that - I did and have had no issue, but have only been walking on the floor for a year so can't say how long it will hold up).
    • Easy to install - grab a rubber mallet, a crowbar, and a flooring / table saw. I used a jigsaw and contour gauge for the cuts around corners / fixtures.
    • Can be installed over previous laminate / tiling if the floor is even.

    The pics are attached so you can see how it looks - it was cheap enough to put in a C class rental that hadn't been updated in over a decade, and durable enough that I won't have to worry about it for another decade. I took these pics for my own satisfaction of before / after and didn't bother with lighting and making it look great, but it should show the improvement:

    1Reply
  • Gary L Wallman
    Rental Property Investor · Beavercreek OH · Member since 2018 · 422 posts · 970 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Scott Marshall:

    Another vote for the high end laminate.  I just did a couple bathrooms with it and I fell in love with it!  SUPER easy to work with and it looks great.  Based on the reviews it lasts forever but given I just installed it I can't speak to that.  The best part about it to me (as a semi-handyman) is there is NO GROUT!  Quick, easy, cost efficient and looks great.  If it holds up half as well as I expect it to I will be a huge fan!

     Scott,

    I would advise NEVER to use laminate in ANY wet area.  It does not tolerate moisture and swells up at the seams instantly if exposed to it.  I had a refrigerator water line break and laminate was a 3k mistake.  Caught the leak within minutes to no avail.  Had to remove every bit of it. IMO LVP is the only way to go, especially in kitchens and baths.

    1Reply
  • Gary L Wallman
    Rental Property Investor · Beavercreek OH · Member since 2018 · 422 posts · 970 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Ben Wilkins:

    As I haven't seen any brands listed, I'll go ahead and recommend QuickStep Wood Plank Laminate. I've used it in my own home as well as several apartments now, and love it. My own house has a 3 year old boy, a dog, three cats, and I work in a Paint Shop so usually have some harsher chemicals on my shoes when I come home - I have yet to see any wear on the flooring in the year that we've had it.

    Pros:

    • $2/sqft
    • Durable
    • Underlayment pre-attached (if you choose to use that - I did and have had no issue, but have only been walking on the floor for a year so can't say how long it will hold up).
    • Easy to install - grab a rubber mallet, a crowbar, and a flooring / table saw. I used a jigsaw and contour gauge for the cuts around corners / fixtures.
    • Can be installed over previous laminate / tiling if the floor is even.

    The pics are attached so you can see how it looks - it was cheap enough to put in a C class rental that hadn't been updated in over a decade, and durable enough that I won't have to worry about it for another decade. I took these pics for my own satisfaction of before / after and didn't bother with lighting and making it look great, but it should show the improvement:

     Ben,

    While laminate can be durable it is nowhere as durable as LVP.  Water will destroy it almost immediately on contact.  The product has a composite type substrate that soaks up water through the seams.  That is why it needs an underlayment or in your products case, has it pre-attached.  That's OK for a damp sub floor, but will do nothing in the event of a large water spill or plumbing leak.

    0Reply
  • Desteni Barnes
    Port Charlotte · Member since 2016 · 22 posts · 8 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Jenifer McGroarty:

    We did half our home with AC4 rated vinyl from Floor&Decor.  Looks like wood and holds up great.  

     Thanks for the detailed response. Very helpful for us newbies starting out.

    1Reply
  • Gary L Wallman
    Rental Property Investor · Beavercreek OH · Member since 2018 · 422 posts · 970 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Kristen Thomas:

    @Gary L Wallman that looks great! Do you have a particular brand you've had success with? I'm in the process of picking out LVP for a rental and I'm slightly nervous about the products in the mid $2/sq foot not holding up well.

    SuperFast® RidgePlex Lite Mist 6.93" x 36.81" Floating Vinyl Plank (19.48 sq.ft/pkg) from Menards 38.75 a box.

    0Reply
  • Ian WalshBusiness Member
    Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    I would use whatever flooring the best comps to the property use.

    0Reply
  • Maya Torres
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
    7y

    @Frank Wong Thank you. I’m definitely leaning towards LVP. I have 2 kids and a dog. There’s no way I can go with flooring that’s not waterproof. That’s not even an option.

    0Reply
  • Maya Torres
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
    7y

    @Merritt S. I was thinking the exact same thing! Scary part is, if could be more than 3 yrs. So I do have to timeless. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m sure it’ll be fun. Thank you!

    0Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    I would also advise against very dark floors. They show dust dirt and scratches very easily.

    1Reply
  • Maya Torres
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
    7y

    @Colleen F. It differs. Definitely along the line of laminate or LVP. Carpet in the bedrooms is also very common.

    0Reply
  • Maya Torres
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
    7y

    @Robert Brunson What's the military discount at Lumber? I was just there 2 days ago in Norfolk, VA.

    0Reply
  • Robert Brunson
    Rental Property Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2018 · 15 posts · 9 votes
    7y

    @Maya Torres Its 10 percent on Everything from Flooring to Modlings and Pad. I can Also hook you up with a discount if I know before you come next time

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Maya Torres:

    @Merritt S. I was thinking the exact same thing! Scary part is, if could be more than 3 yrs. So I do have to timeless. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m sure it’ll be fun. Thank you!

     I certainly think it is the fun part. Shopping for parts? Not so much. But the two go hand in hand. In any case, both can be extremely time consuming, which is why you see builders/rehabbers doing the same thing over and over. Often how we build is more of a function of what is available and in our price-point than it is getting exactly what we envision. People who build with every little thing they wish for, pay more than the market will bear like 99.99999% of the time.

    LOL - The less than fun part is putting lots of effort and thought into it and after it's done I look at it and go - eh - could've turned out better! Or, I wish had used... No such thing as a perfect house, which makes doing the next one all that much more fun.

    That said, knocking it out of the park is extremely rewarding. I'm not half bad if I do say so myself. I don't think I have interior design as a career in my future though - I don't like pillows - lol. And on that score, I have witnessed more than one professional designer have some really bad taste.

    If you want this community to help, maybe post pictures and ask for our opinions!!!

    0Reply
  • Glenn F.
    Rental Property Investor · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2014 · 41 posts · 9 votes
    7y

    Make sure you use the LVP that click together, not the kind with the glue strip. If the glue strip gets wet it can separate. I get mine at home depot and you'll also get a military discount. I also use the thinner flexible vinyl as it's easier to install and is forgiving over floor irregularities. 

    0Reply
  • Jenifer McGroarty
    North Florida · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    I'm super impressed with our flooring. I did a lot of research on it before buying and it holds up to my 5 kids (mostly boys) extremely well. I do not recommend  (as others have stated) putting it in bathrooms, kitchen or a laundry room. I have real wood, tile and vinyl in those rooms.

    0Reply
  • Maya Torres
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2017 · 142 posts · 76 votes
    7y

    Thank you all so much for your inputs. One thing I didn’t mention that’s making my search a little difficult..House was built in 77 and is hideous. Except for these awesome original wooden beams in the living room that I don’t want to touch. I’ll post a pic later. Dental work beams..brown in color. I don’t want to go too dark but the room is speaking to me and I can’t make it what I want with really light floors and clash with the beams. Has to remain classic. I’m not an interior designer. Maybe one day. Lol. 

    0Reply
  • Jorge Hernandez
    SFR & Multifamily · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2016 · 59 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    @Maya Torres

    Pergo wood.

    1Reply
  • Scott Marshall
    Flipper/Rehabber · Bellevue, WA · Member since 2018 · 35 posts · 17 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Gary L Wallman:
    Originally posted by @Scott Marshall:

    Another vote for the high end laminate.  I just did a couple bathrooms with it and I fell in love with it!  SUPER easy to work with and it looks great.  Based on the reviews it lasts forever but given I just installed it I can't speak to that.  The best part about it to me (as a semi-handyman) is there is NO GROUT!  Quick, easy, cost efficient and looks great.  If it holds up half as well as I expect it to I will be a huge fan!

     Scott,

    I would advise NEVER to use laminate in ANY wet area.  It does not tolerate moisture and swells up at the seams instantly if exposed to it.  I had a refrigerator water line break and laminate was a 3k mistake.  Caught the leak within minutes to no avail.  Had to remove every bit of it. IMO LVP is the only way to go, especially in kitchens and baths.

    @Gary L Wallman: Thanks for catching that!  When I wrote that I was THINKING Luxury Vinyl but what I TYPED was Laminate.  I wholeheartedly agree that laminate should not be used in a wet or damp area.  I have seen that mistake made and have had to remediate it in the past.

    0Reply
  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Ben Wilkins:

    I've never seen this contour gauge before. Ben, I'd vote your post one billion times if I could. This is going to change my life. I feel like I should have known about this before... 

    [email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
    BiggerPockets
    1Reply
  • Jamison Conti
    Specialist · Santa Barbara, CA · Member since 2017 · 38 posts · 21 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Tim Pritchett:

    Oh wow you put it down your self? Ok it’s that easy to work that stuff? How did it cut? 

    Yeah it is pretty easy to do yourself if you have some basic tools. It cuts similar to wood flooring, I just used a normal table saw.

    0Reply
  • Todd F.
    Investor · Riverside, CA · Member since 2014 · 239 posts · 177 votes
    7y

    @Maya Torres can’t go wrong with some cheaper waterproof vinyl plank snap together flooring. They even have the type that already comes with the moisture barrier attached which makes it super easy for installation. Looks good, can take a beating, relatively cheap in cost.

    1Reply
  • Joe Moore
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2010 · 804 posts · 230 votes
    7y

    I use the vinyl plank in my rentals.  So far so good. All my tenants love the wood looking floors.

    1Reply
  • Richard Russell
    Rental Property Investor · Haysville, KS · Member since 2014 · 24 posts · 16 votes
    7y

    LVP is the way to go. super easy to work with and holds up extremely well.  I have a crane guillotine type cutter and also use dewalt 20volt vibrating tool to cut the fine lines or you can even score the planks with a utility knife and snap it. Costco is alo an excellent place to get it. I see that they are stocking it more.

    1Reply
  • Richard Russell
    Rental Property Investor · Haysville, KS · Member since 2014 · 24 posts · 16 votes
    7y

    LVP is the way to go. super easy to work with and holds up extremely well.  I have a crane guillotine type cutter and also use dewalt 20volt vibrating tool to cut the fine lines or you can even score the planks with a utility knife and snap it. Costco is also an excellent place to get it. I see that they are stocking it more.

    0Reply
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