Budgeting Flooring on a Rhode Island Fixer-Upper
Flooring is one of the biggest line items on a renovation. How to budget materials, extras and delivery so the floor does not blow up your numbers.
On most fixer-uppers, flooring is one of the three biggest material costs, right up there with the kitchen and the bathrooms. The price per square foot is only part of the story. Here is how to budget the whole thing.
1. Material
Start with your square footage plus 10% waste, rounded up to full boxes. Every product page shows the price per sq ft and per box, and the calculator does the box math for you.
2. The extras people forget
- Transitions and reducers at doorways and where the floor meets tile or carpet.
- Stair nose for every step if you are doing stairs.
- Baseboard or quarter round to cover the expansion gap.
- 6 mil vapor barrier for basements and slabs.
- Floor patch for low spots, especially in older homes.
3. Getting it there
Delivery depends on how many boxes you order and where they are going; the price shows in your cart before you pay. In stock colors can be picked up in Cranston, which saves the delivery cost if you have a truck or van.
4. Labor, or your weekends
Click-lock SPC is one of the most DIY-friendly floors there is. Many flippers install it themselves and spend the savings on the kitchen.
5. Save on the right things
Do not downgrade the floor in the rooms buyers linger in: kitchen, living room and primary bedroom. If you need to save, use one collection throughout and skip the fancy trims.
Ask about in-store specials. We often have In stock flooring on special at the Cranston showroom. Stop by or message us on WhatsApp before you order.
