Which requires a professional: house painting or laminate floor installation?

[shadowne]

I have done both projects in the last year and a half and agree with most posters here that the flooring is much more difficult to do a professional job with little to no experience. It is easier to read up on painting tips and with effort do a very nice job than be able to make the right cuts on flooring.

In my personal experience, I painted half of the exterior of my house and hired a painter to help me finish the more difficult parts (eaves/soffits and garage door). When the job was complete, I had actually done a much better job than the painters. Also, you can probably shave some cost off the flooring job by prepping as much as possible yourself - removing any existing carpeting, baseboards, etc. At times like these I wish I had an unlimited budget. Best of luck!

[teald024]

Originally Posted by icibiu

... I'd do something like kids bedrooms first and ASAP, then work from the most visible area of the house to the least (example: Living room is right behind the front door, that goes first. Adjoining dining room goes next. Guest bedroom goes last.) ...

side bar.. when I was putting up new blinds in the house, I did the same. started in the LR --> Master Br --> kids rooms. the end of the day came around and I wasn't finished. next day we had stuff to do and didnt work on the house, same the next day.. you get the picture. I kept finding more inportant things to do than replace the blinds in a room I went into once a week or less (guest room, den). And that was for a project that would only take 20 minutes a window. It ended up being 5 weeks later before I finished the last three shades. It may still have waited longer had it needed a couple of hours to complete.

back on topic..

I would do both myself. I need a reason to convince the wife to let me buy a shiny new miter saw that cuts straight *wink, wink* and you could easily save a few hundred $$ doing it yourself.

Now if you said you were painting the outside of your house, then that is the one thing I would hire out. Inside walls are typically flat surfaces, but siding can be a pain in the... well everything... to get in all the corners, under eaves, behind gutters, etc.

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[badcb]

Flooring hands down. Easyest way to sell this option is to look at it this way. For the flooring projects- you will need a few special tools. And if you mess up a cut or two. You just cost yourself some(more) moneyand time. (you may not be able to use it any where) The painting- Paint is paint -if you mess up you just clean it and paint it again. (just be sure to use the correct color) Get samples and try them out. Even know laminets are easyier today then they use to be . Tile is not forgiving and if you dont know what your doing. It could be a total loss of material and time.

[blondesofmonroe]

We did both ourselves - mostly myself. But the hardest part with the floors - a. transitioning from one room (not as much the floor type) to another. And b. stairs (its just more tiresome than difficult - as you nail the pieces for floor)

Try one room with the flooring and see - it should not take you more than a few hours, if it takes you longer, you should call your supplier. Laminate is pretty risk free, because you can remove the peices and start over. Even if you finish most rooms and leave the common access areas, you can get in someone to finish em up for you. I am trying to attach pics to my profile of the finished work...

You can do it - unfortunately we can't help

BOM

[gentlearts]

Wow, I'd go against the majority. I'd sooner install a floor inside than paint a two story house any day. You would be inside a temperature controlled house, could take your time, and the elements would not effect your project.