Planning a flooring renovation is more than just picking a color you like. From insurance fine print to the timing of your furniture, small details can make the difference between a dream floor and a costly nightmare.
In a recent guide from LKV Flooring, experts shared six essential tips and a few “bonus” insights to ensure your project stays on track.
1. Check Your Flooring Insurance
It sounds basic, but many homeowners pay for contents insurance for decades without realizing their timber floors aren’t covered [00:31]. In the event of a flood or major damage, timber floors are expensive to fix, and insurance companies look for any reason not to pay. Read the fine print in your contract and make sure timber floors are explicitly stated [00:25].
2. Verify Licenses and Reviews
Always ensure the company you choose is licensed and that the license number matches the business name [01:12]. Some companies use mismatched numbers to skirt regulations. A license is your support system if issues arise; going for the “cheap, unlicensed option” often leads to regrets that even professionals can’t easily fix [01:42].
3. The Risks of Buying Online
Buying flooring from sites like Amazon or eBay might save you money upfront, but it’s a high-risk task [02:24]. Most reputable, licensed installers will refuse to lay “no-name” products because they can’t guarantee the quality [03:12]. You could end up with a garage full of flooring and no one willing to install it.
4. Rugs and Acclimatization
Once your floor is laid, your furniture can go back on immediately (use soft felt pads!), but keep rugs off for at least 4 weeks [03:48]. New floors need time to oxidize and settle. A rug blocks the light and airflow, which can cause the floor underneath to stain or change color differently than the rest of the room [04:05].
5. Choose Your Floor Before the Renovation
Think about flooring first, not last [06:06]. You need the total thickness of your flooring to give to your builder and other trades early on [05:27]. This ensures your kitchen benches, cupboards, and doors all line up perfectly, avoiding “ugly beadings” or the need to trim doors later [05:39].
6. Plan Based on Your Future
How long do you plan to live in the home? [06:29]
- Forever Home: Invest in thicker boards with a quality veneer that can be resanded every 10–15 years [06:56].
- Quick Flip: Don’t overspend on premium boards; you won’t see the return on investment in just two years [06:45].
- Rental Investment: Consider laminates or hybrids. They are “waterproof and bulletproof,” making them much harder for tenants to ruin than natural timber [07:08].
Bonus: Apartment Approvals and Pricing
- Apartment Life: Never assume you can install whatever you want. You must get Body Corporate approval, which can involve specific acoustic ratings [07:45]. This process can take anywhere from two days to six months [08:31].
- Rough Pricing (Late 2025): Budget roughly $100 per sqm for timber-looking floors (supply and install) and starting from $200 per sqm for genuine timber floors [08:45].
Ready to start? Following this checklist will save you time, stress, and money. For professional advice on your next project, visit LKV Flooring.
