Flooring Installation in British Columbia

Waterproof materials: vinyl plank/tile, ceramic or porcelain tile, or specifically water-rated laminate. Standard laminate and solid wood swell when water gets into joints, so most installers will advise against them in wet rooms even if you like the look.

Most quote by area (per square metre or square foot) for the installation itself, with fixed add-ons for prep, removal and trims. Very small jobs are often charged as a half-day or day minimum, so a tiny room can cost disproportionately more per unit of area.

It depends mostly on the material. Laminate and vinyl (LVP/LVT) are the cheapest to buy and fastest to fit; engineered wood costs roughly double; solid hardwood and premium tile cost the most. As a rule of thumb labour is 30-50% of the total, with materials, underlay, trims and subfloor prep making up the rest. Get quotes priced per square metre or square foot so you can compare like for like.

Laminate and click-lock vinyl plank are usually cheapest overall: low material cost plus a fast floating installation that needs no glue or nails. Sheet vinyl can be even cheaper per unit but needs a very flat subfloor. Carpet is comparable but is normally quoted by carpet fitters rather than hard-flooring installers.

Vinyl plank (LVP/LVT) is fully waterproof, so it is the safer choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, and it is quieter underfoot. Laminate has a harder, more scratch-resistant wear surface and often looks more like real wood, but standard laminate swells if water sits on it. Prices overlap heavily, so choose by room use rather than price.

A single room in click-lock laminate or vinyl is typically done in a day. A whole apartment or house takes 2-5 days depending on area, furniture moving, and how much old flooring must come out. Add a day or more if the subfloor needs levelling compound, and 2-3 days of acclimatisation before wood products are laid.

Installed laminate or vinyl plank typically runs CAD $4-$14 per square foot, engineered and solid hardwood roughly $10-$30. Labour alone is commonly $2-$6 per square foot, more for stairs and patterns.

Forced-air heating drops indoor humidity sharply in winter, shrinking wood boards; they swell back in humid summers. Acclimatisation before install, correct expansion gaps, and running a humidifier in winter (aim ~35-45% RH) keep movement acceptable.