How to Save on a New Floor Purchase

When you purchase a new floor there is so much money you can save if you just find out what the additional charges are when they install it. Most of the little things that do it yourselfers can easily do really add up. For example, we shopped around looking for a new floor for our kitchen and bath. After going to several stores, we finally found what we were looking for and it was on sale at 1.79 per square foot. Which was at least 20 cents fewer than the other stores.

We agreed to purchase from them and set up an appointment to get a measurement. After that was completed, the salesman called me up explaining the final cost to purchase and install the new vinyl floor. To my surprise, it was a lot more than expected to hear. When I expected to receive a quote for a lot less, the salesman says, "we can do everything for $1572 and that includes the tax. I asked him to break down the charges for me over the phone.

They were going to charge $604 for material and $842 for labor. I was going to do this project myself I told the salesman so I really would like to cut some of the labor costs. The reason I didn't want to attempt installing the floor on my own was because it is one piece of vinyl for 2 rooms and a hall. That is pretty difficult and needs experience. The additional charges to bring it up to $842 for labor were; $50 to move the stove and fridge which I told him I can do that. I have some nice sliders that make moving things easier. The salesman said, $45 to trim the bottom of 2 doors to allow them to swing open so they wouldn't rub against the new floor. I said no problem I have a saw and can take care of that. They were going to charge $120 to remove and replace vinyl cove base around the kitchen. I said I've actually done that before so minus that off please.

It was also $15 to remove wood base around the bathroom floor so I had no problem taking care of that. To prep and level any dips in the old floor it was $20. I can do that with my putty knife and some floor leveler paste. After negotiating with the salesman and agreeing to do some of the labor myself, we saved over $250. So make sure if you are handy around the house or you know someone who would help, don't hesitate to negotiate some of the labor fees.