We spent over $12,000 replacing our carpets with vinyl-plank flooring. It looks very nice, but I regret it every day.
We thought replacing our carpets with vinyl-plank flooring would cost $6,000 and be easy. We spent more than double that and uncovered many issues.
Lauren Salles Gumpert and her family had anticipated a simple $6,000 project to replace their carpets with vinyl-plank flooring. However, the replacement turned into a costly ordeal that exceeded their initial expectations by nearly $6,000. Initially, they discovered that the subflooring in the living room and kitchen was wet, requiring them to rent a dehumidifier to dry the floors before installation.
Upon removal of the old flooring, they found that the French doors leaked, necessitating replacement, and uncovered a different section of damaged subflooring that could not be salvaged. Despite these challenges, they managed to complete the project with assistance from inexperienced contractors, incurring additional costs. During the installation, one of the subcontractors damaged the drywall in their kitchen, leading to further expenses.
The floors themselves looked pleasing, but issues persisted. They had to install a new flange for the toilet, which caused a tripping hazard for their kids. Additionally, the thinner vinyl floors made the downstairs colder in winter compared to the carpeted upstairs. Lauren found herself hesitant to undertake further home-improvement projects, feeling that the issues and costs often outweighed the perceived benefits. She now opts to cover the vinyl floors with rugs to provide a softer feel for her young children.
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