Should I upgrade to laminate or carpet?

Should I upgrade to laminate or carpet?

Real Estate Investor · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2013 · 42 posts · 2 votes

hi Everyone,

I am new to this website and real estate business. I have read many blogs and posts and I feel I can learn a lot here. Thanks in advice for your suggestion.

I have a condo, the old lease ends June 30th, and the new tenant asks me to replace the carpet in living room and dinning areas. I agreed.

I am not sure if I should replace it with laminate floor or carpet. Laminate floor costs about twice as carpet. Do you have any suggestions? Which one is better for rental purpose?

Thanks
Serena

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Flooring Contractor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 36 posts · 19 votes
13y

I've installed tens of thousands of square feet of Harmonics brand laminate, which is sold at Costco, and it's the best floor for the price (1.50-1.80/sf, a bit less if you get it when it's on sale, pad included). Otherwise, find a flooring contractor first and ask them for wholesalers in your area. Home Depot and Lowe's have very few flooring products that are worth what you'll pay for them.

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  • Flooring Contractor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2013 · 36 posts · 19 votes
    13y

    I've installed tens of thousands of square feet of Harmonics brand laminate, which is sold at Costco, and it's the best floor for the price (1.50-1.80/sf, a bit less if you get it when it's on sale, pad included). Otherwise, find a flooring contractor first and ask them for wholesalers in your area. Home Depot and Lowe's have very few flooring products that are worth what you'll pay for them.

  • Landlord · lees summit, MO · Member since 2012 · 14 posts · 2 votes
    13y

    I'm buying my flooring at Lowe's and getting an additional 7% off everything at Lowe's with my my Lowe's LAR and the Community Buying Group program. www.communitybuyinggroup.com , you can register for free if you email customer service and mention bigger pockets.

  • Investor · Groves, TX · Member since 2009 · 44 posts · 25 votes
    13y

    I have found that vinyl planks work great in rentals. They are very water resistant and easy to repair and replace. It also looks better than tile and is cheaper to install. I prefer the wood plank look.

  • Michele FischerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    Huh, y'all are having better luck than I am. Our laminate wood flooring is normally quite banged up after one tenant move out. One to two years. We don't replace it, but we aren't happy with it. We installed Allure flooring in one kitchen/living room since it is more water resilient. The high traffic areas look like someone drug heavy furniture across it. I vote for low end carpet and cheap vinyl, replaced every other tenant. Yes, I'm catering to low income. No, I no longer think that if we just provide nicer stuff that they will take care of it. We actually wrote into our agreement "pets are not allowed to eliminate indoors"...

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