Squeaks, soft spots, telegraphed seams, cupping and gaps almost always trace back to what happened before the flooring was laid. On every job we check three things: flatness to the manufacturer tolerance, moisture content of the slab or subfloor, and deflection. Older Valley houses with 1x6 diagonal plank subfloors need a plywood overlay. Slab-on-grade properties need a moisture test and often a vapour retarder. Skipping either one voids the flooring warranty, and most installers do not tell you that.
Squeak elimination from above or below. Individual board replacement in hardwood, which requires a router and a matched species rather than pulling half the room. Water-damaged board replacement. Buckled laminate. Loose and hollow tile. Refinishing and recoating existing hardwood. Transition and threshold correction where somebody left a trip hazard.
Installed labour generally runs $4.50 to $7.00 per square foot for click-lock LVP and laminate, $6.50 to $11.00 for glue-down and nailed engineered wood, and $8.00 to $14.00 for solid hardwood. Subfloor flattening, plywood overlay and demolition of existing flooring are separate line items because they depend entirely on what is under there. We open a corner before we quote rather than guessing and then repricing you later.
No. We work room by room and can sequence it so you always have a usable bedroom and bathroom.
Often yes with LVP, if the tile is sound and the height works at doors. We check rather than assume.
Almost always subfloor movement that was never addressed. We fix it before installing, which is why we ask to look underneath.
Hardwood for resale value and warmth in living areas. LVP for kitchens, laundry, rentals, pets and anywhere water is a realistic risk. We will tell you which fits your actual situation.
