If you want to upgrade your home a little you might want to install new flooring for a more appealing look. You’re going to want to consider style and design while deciding which type would work best, but if this is going to be a DIY job, do your homework first so that you know what the job entails. You have a number of choices: hardwood, tile, laminate or vinyl flooring. Remember, the least expensive option may end up costing you more over time.

The most common DIY mistakes homeowners make when installing new flooring:

Thinking it’s Easier Than it Is

In many cases a DIY project will save you money, but homeowners don’t always have the skills to do the job properly. Poorly installed flooring can lead to numerous problems over time, which could be quite expensive to rectify.

Choosing “Bargain Basement” Flooring

We all like saving money and finding great looking flooring at bargain basement prices can seem like a miracle. However, we all know that looks can be deceiving, and this certainly applies to flooring. You need to find out how durable it would be in high-traffic areas, especially if you plan on laying it down in moisture-prone areas like the kitchen or bathrooms.

Inexpensive low-quality flooring can more easily be scuffed, scratched and stained. You may want to spend more for well-made high-quality flooring so that your floors will look new and last longer.

Improperly Preparing the Subfloor

Once you remove the old flooring, the subfloor must be correctly prepared by smoothing it out and making sure that’s completely flat and totally dry. When you know how and take the time to prepare your subfloor properly this allows the new floor to be installed properly so that it lasts a long time.

Mistakes in Measuring

It’s easy to make measuring mistakes, especially if you’re doing this in haste. You need to double-check all measurements if you’re going to install new flooring on your own. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of the job and find you didn’t order enough or that you wasted money by buying too much.

Using Non-Recommended Installation Products

You’re going to need specific products to properly install your floor according to the type of flooring you’re laying down. You may need tile trowels, grout, adhesives or seam treatments. The manufacturer will provide an installation guide listing everything you’ll need in terms of products and tools. Follow the instructions because if you cut corners here, you could end up with a substandard installation.

Not Taking Your Climate into Consideration

In selecting new flooring, you need to consider the climate you live in, especially if you’re in a hot and humid city like Houston, TX. Humidity alone can warp wood flooring, leaving it bumpy and unsafe. If you lay the boards down right up against one another, they will have no room to expand. You may want to choose another type of flooring, or you may want to hire a professional to install your hardwood floors.