How to Install Hardwood Floors on a Budget

Hardwood flooring can change the entire appearance of a home. It can make a drab room look beautiful. But typically, real wood is incredibly expensive. It can cost thousands of dollars for even the most modest of spaces. There are a few ways however, to cut corners on this luxury item, to help bring the cost within reach.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Remove old carpet on your own. Allowing the contractor or wood retailer to remove your old carpeting can cost hundreds of dollars. Removing the carpet takes a little bit of time and sweat, but it’s not incredibly difficult and doing so can save you $300 to $400.

2. Sell your old carpet. If your carpet is not in bad condition, make money off of it. The added benefit here is, if you structure the sale properly, someone else does the removal work for you! And you are making money instead of paying to have it removed. Selling carpet is easy. Take a picture of it with a digital camera, measure its dimensions and post it for sale on the Internet or in a local newspaper. Make sure you mention that as part of the sale, the buyer must remove the carpet.

3. Ask questions. Specifically, ask the wood retailer and/or the installer or contractor what other elements of the work you can do yourself, and where money might be saved. Some examples include staining the “quarter rounds” on your own rather then paying a contractor to do this work. Quarter rounds are the long narrow pieces of wood that fit in between your flooring and the perimeter of the wall. This is very simple work, and can also save you hundreds of dollars.

4. Shop around and negotiate. Don’t be afraid to ask your retailer for their “best price” and to let them know very candidly that you are shopping around. The same goes for the contractor who will install the flooring. Community internet sites are a great place to find local contractors. If you are frank about the fact that you are investigating all your options, you can actually create a bidding contest for your work. Remember you are the boss, and you are in charge of getting the best price for the job.

5. Save money later. There is one final but extremely important note, which won’t necessarily save you money up-front, but can be a financial lifesaver in the long run, should anything go wrong: Make sure your installer has insurance, in the event damage is done to your home or condominium during installation.