Flooring for a Rental Property

General Landlording & Rental Properties
4yFollow

Flooring for a Rental Property

Connor Lewis
Rental Property Investor · Lexington, KY · Member since 2021 · 16 posts · 18 votes

Hello BP community!

I just purchased a duplex and need to replace the flooring in one of the units. Im obviously searching for the most affordable option to do so. Im open to carpet or laminate. It’s roughly 480 sq. ft of space.

From the experience of those who’ve gone through this before, what would you recommend? I’m not sure how difficult it would take to manually replace flooring, so I’m seeking the advice of others. Should I do the work myself? Or look at hiring someone to come and complete it?

Thank you for the help!


3Reply
150 views

Most Popular Reply

Michael Evans
General Contractor · Palm Desert, CA · Member since 2016 · 193 posts · 79 votes
4y

I would never put carpet in a rental. Vinyl plank is the only way to go unless you plan to replace the carpet every time you turn it over.

Good luck

3Reply
See this reply in the discussion

30 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    I only use the solid vinyl lvp for my rentals. 

    1Reply
  • Dan Travieso
    Investor · Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2018 · 263 posts · 216 votes
    4y

    It takes time to do flooring by yourself... especially if you have never done it before. So you must ask yourself, "How much is my time worth?" For me, my time is better spent finding more deals versus trying to deal with flooring. But that is me. Your answer may be different.

    2Reply
  • Corby GoadeBusiness Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y

    I wouldn't necessarily say that the "most affordable" product is the way to go. There definitely needs to be a balance between quality and cost. 

    If you are fairly handy, LVP is pretty simple to install and you can use trim to cover up most of your mistakes. 

    We put mid grade carpet in living areas and bedrooms, LVP everywhere else. We've had good experiences with LifeProof stuff from home depot. It's mid grade and you can usually get it for under $3 per foot, sometimes there's a style on clearance that you can get even cheaper. 

    Good luck!

    2Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Connor Lewis:

    Should I do the work myself? Or look at hiring someone to come and complete it?

    I was hiring it out until lead times were taking weeks, especially for carpet.  Nobody was available and I didn't want the extra vacancy time. 

    Snap together vinyl and laminate is simple.  Hire a handyman to help if needed and save yourself weeks of waiting.


    1Reply
  • Michael Evans
    General Contractor · Palm Desert, CA · Member since 2016 · 193 posts · 79 votes
    4y

    I would never put carpet in a rental. Vinyl plank is the only way to go unless you plan to replace the carpet every time you turn it over.

    Good luck

    3Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    Never carpet. Never. Tile, wood or laminate. It can be tricky to do yourself, so take a class at Home Depot and see how it feels for you. Better to hire a pro and just have it done right. IMO

    1Reply
  • Eliott Elias
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    I would go with vinyl flooring. It’s cheap and will last you 10 years 

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis

    I've always had carpet everywhere except for entryways and kitchen, and never had a problem.  However, I know that is the exception.

    LVP is all the rage, but just be mindful of the quality of the flooring you decide to purchase.  I've personally know investors and homeowners alike who purchased cheaper, lower quality lvp and had it fail within a couple years.

    Tile is prone to being broken/cracked.  Wood flooring would be nice since you can just refinish it, but it can be expensive to start which is why lvp is all the rage...

    If you are pretty handy and think you can keep up with it, go ahead and do the install yourself.  Its better to learn on your rental than your own home.  You haven't said what sort of flooring you are taking up.  As for installation, as always the main install itself is easy.  Its the prep and layout that is key.  Also, how do you finish the edges, etc...

    Good luck.

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Eliott Elias:

    I would go with vinyl flooring. It’s cheap and will last you 10 years 


     Maybe longer if it's high quality stuff with good underlayment.....

    1Reply
  • John MorganPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    LVP for the win!

    0Reply
  • Adam Laurenzo
    Member since 2018 · 39 posts · 16 votes
    4y

    +1 for a solid LVP. I dislike carpet with a fiery passion.


    What's the existing flooring? LVP is easy to install diy if you've got a level floor and a basic level of handiness.

    0Reply
  • Curtis Mears
    Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis

    I would not use carpet. I use luxury vinyl tile for most of my properties, but also some actual tile.

    0Reply
  • Brian Liscio
    Little Falls, NJ · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 49 votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis

    LVP all day!

    0Reply
  • Brennen Thompson
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 52 posts · 42 votes
    4y

    Hey dude! 

    I would check out the other rentals in the area and make my decision accordingly. I.e. Do they have laminate throughout the living room/kitchen/bathroom and carpet in the bedrooms? Or do they use one style laminate throughout the entire house? This will help you avoid under/over improving the property. 

    If it were me, I'd go with LVP or laminate. Since your square footage is so small, the extra cost isn't going to hit you that hard and will be a great way to make your property stand out! 

    2Reply
  • William P.
    Real Estate Investor · CA · Member since 2011 · 47 posts · 14 votes
    4y

    LVP is pretty easy to do.  My wife did our sunroom/dog play room herself and she has no experience at all.  We got the best level Home Depot had to offer - I assume could spend more.  It looks ok, and better than the old Pergo you used to see,

    0Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis vinyl planks

    0Reply
  • Rebecca E.
    Wisconsin: Eau Claire and Rapids · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 58 votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis

    Is your duplex an up/down or side-by-side? I have a up/down in a c neighborhood with the same question. I'm considering lvp with noise deadening underlayment since carpet is gross, but I'm worried about noise. Would you mind letting us know how things go after you've placed it?

    0Reply
  • David A Lisowski
    Rental Property Investor · Inlet Beach, FL · Member since 2018 · 199 posts · 111 votes
    4y

    480 square feet?

    I'd go for durability over inexpensive.

    As most mentioned, LVP.

    But you might consider EVP (engineered vinyl planks) for extra durability.

    0Reply
  • Dana Gaier
    Moore, OK · Member since 2013 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Brennen Thompson:

    Hey dude! 

    I would check out the other rentals in the area and make my decision accordingly. I.e. Do they have laminate throughout the living room/kitchen/bathroom and carpet in the bedrooms? Or do they use one style laminate throughout the entire house? This will help you avoid under/over improving the property. 

    If it were me, I'd go with LVP or laminate. Since your square footage is so small, the extra cost isn't going to hit you that hard and will be a great way to make your property stand out! 

    this is a really good point, at less than 500sq ft probably the most important. See what your completion and make sure what you are going to install is on par or better.


    0Reply
  • Ryan KellyBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis I personally vote for all luxury vinyl flooring. Carpet is fine for second floors if it’s too hard to install other flooring. Both are affordable.

    [email protected]512-674-5478
    Ryan Kelly Group - Keller Williams5110 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Fred Cannon
    Rental Property Investor · St Augustine, FL · Member since 2019 · 264 posts · 279 votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis. If you allow pets I would definitely rule out carpet. I use tile for all my flooring. Really like the wood grain style. It's a bit more expensive but it's one one done. May be Cheaper in the long run and less maintenance. LV would be second choice, definitely get a pro to install.

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    Also you could use Engineered Wood planks. Just as durable (as long as you don't have dogs) if not more so than LVP and about the same price. Mainly it just looks so much better than vinyl. I personally hate the way it looks, but I do see the sense of it in a rental.....

    1Reply
  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Connor Lewis
    It depends on the location. Check some available rentals around you and see what they are like and ask your agent for some comps to see what kind of finishes properties in that area have. If it's a C location I would use LVP and if it's A/B location I would say hardwoods. Use your best rule of thumb compared with what finishes properties in that area have.

    [email protected]614-412-4565
    Reafco-555 Reviews
    View Page
    0Reply
  • Dave MeyerPro Member
    Head of Real Estate Investing at BiggerPockets · Seattle, WA · Member since 2015 · 224 posts · 826 votes
    4y

    Luxury Vinyl Plank all the way. Floor & Decor has great products at a good price. 

    Podcast Guest on Show #186
    BiggerPockets
    0Reply
  • Michael Semcken
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2022 · 12 posts · 3 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Connor Lewis:

    Hello BP community!

    I just purchased a duplex and need to replace the flooring in one of the units. Im obviously searching for the most affordable option to do so. Im open to carpet or laminate. It’s roughly 480 sq. ft of space.

    From the experience of those who’ve gone through this before, what would you recommend? I’m not sure how difficult it would take to manually replace flooring, so I’m seeking the advice of others. Should I do the work myself? Or look at hiring someone to come and complete it?

    Thank you for the help!


     I used a vinyl flooring called NuCore for my rental.  It's affordable without looking cheap, it is antimicrobial and resistant to mold/mildew, and it's completely waterproof.  Also, it has cork backing so it doesn't feel like you're walking on solid concrete.  I've installed it in 2 of my homes now and it looks great!  It's exclusive to floor and decor, so if you have one in your area I would highly recommend it.  

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free