Best Flooring Techniques: Fast, Affordable Upgrades That Sell!

[Roland S.]

When you're flipping a property, every dollar and day counts. Flooring is one of the first things buyers notice—yet it's often one of the easiest upgrades to get wrong (or overspend on). As a hard money lender to Austin's top flippers, we've seen the flooring strategies that work—and those that eat into profit. Here’s your flooring cheat sheet to keep costs low, timelines tight, and buyers impressed:

✅ 1. Go LVP or Go Home

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is the MVP of flip floors.

🪵 Benefits: Waterproof, scratch-resistant, and stylish—perfect for rentals and flips.

💰 Cost: $2–$4/sq ft installed (vs. hardwood at $5–$10+).

📦 Tip: Buy in bulk from discount wholesalers to trim even more from your rehab budget.

✅ 2. Skip Tile in Living Spaces

🧽 Tile = more labor and time. Reserve it for kitchens and baths.

📆 Time-Saver: LVP and laminate install faster and keep your schedule on track.

👷‍♂️ Pro Tip: Use pre-mixed grout and larger tiles (12x24) to reduce labor time in tile zones.

✅ 3. Replace Carpet Strategically

🧼 New carpet is fine in secondary bedrooms—it's fast and cheap.

💲 Average install cost: $1.50–$2.50/sq ft

👣 Stick to neutral colors (gray or beige) and avoid plush or shag.

✅ 4. Match Floors for Visual Flow

🧩 Choppy flooring looks cheap.

🔗 Choose one consistent style across the main living areas to make the home feel larger and more cohesive.

✅ 5. Demo Smart

🔨 Don’t over-demo! Sometimes new floors can go over existing ones (like LVP over tile or laminate over vinyl).

⏱️ Saves time, money, and avoids structural surprises.

📊 Real Stats for the Win: According to Remodeling Magazine's 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, midrange flooring upgrades can recoup up to 70–80% ROI on resale value. That's a smart flip move.

Final Thoughts:

Floors don't have to break your budget—or timeline. Prioritize fast installs, visual consistency, and material ROI. For investors using private money lenders in Austin TX like Longhorn Funding, flooring is one of the best places to add value without overspending.