How Can You Save Money on Your Hardwood Flooring
The decision to install hardwood flooring in your home is not something to take lightly. This flooring is quite an investment. It also takes some time to install properly. With that said, it can last for years, making the price worthwhile. If price really matters, you can save some money on your hardwood flooring by choosing the right hardwood floor installers and following these tips from Wraps Studio.
Prep the Room On Your Own
Many hardwood floor installers charge by the hour. This means that the more time they have to spend in your home, the more the job will cost. You can alleviate some of this by removing any furniture and belongings from the room and then taking out the old flooring yourself.
Choose A Less Costly Wood
There are many different types of wood available for hardwood floors. The best are expensive. However, if you’re willing to accept a downgraded variety – the pattern or color variation may not be ideal – you’ll pay less money. The floors will hold up just as well as the more expensive types. You can also choose flooring with planks that are slightly narrower. Since most people want the wider boards, these options are usually on sale.
Do the Installation Yourself
Rather than go with one of the installers, you can choose to do the job yourself. It isn’t impossible to do, but it does require the ability to use some basic tools and follow instructions. This way, all that you have to pay for are the materials and tools.
Have Your Floor Installed During the Off Season
Most people have their floors installed during warmer weather. There’s a reason for this – it’s much more comfortable to have workers walking in and out of your house all day when the weather is nice. You can take advantage of this by scheduling your new floor installation during the winter. The installers will charge less money for the job.
Buy the Floors Yourself
If you work with professional installers, for the most part, you’ll need to allow them to purchase the materials. They work with certain suppliers and will charge a small fee on top of the cost of the flooring. The problem is that you’ll have less leeway when it comes to colors and grains. But, if you can find installers willing to allow you to purchase the wood, then you can save money by picking out the style that’s on sale.
Complete the Job On Your Own
Most hardwood flooring jobs end with a nice coat of polyurethane seal. If you can handle this yourself, then you’ll end up spending less. Polyurethane isn’t hard to apply, and it’s fairly inexpensive. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to allow each coat to dry and will have to wear a protective mask during the process. By not letting the installers do the finish work, that’s fewer work hours that you’ll have to spring for and your floor will look just as nice.