Work Order: Replace bathroom floors
- David Ryan
- Oct 28, 2023
- 3 min read
Date: 10/3/2023
Location: Meridian, ID
Lead Source: Property Manager
Invoice: $999.25
I got a call from a property manager that keeps me busy very often. She asked if I could give her a quote to replace laminate in 2 bathrooms with vinyl. I sent the quote, she accepted, and I got to work, they added the baseboard work later.
I measured the bathrooms at around 5'x7' so I got enough vinyl for a 6'x8' bathroom. I ended up flubbing the math and got way too much vinyl. Ya live ya learn. Luckily, I made very good time on the demo of the old floors and didn't run into any big issues.
I cut out 2 6'x8' pieces of vinyl and spread them both out in each bathroom. After spreading out the flooring, I folded the vinyl in half, troweled on the vinyl adhesive to the subfloor and set the vinyl down onto it. I then did the same thing for the other half of the bathroom and then used my seam roller to flatten out the adhesive and made sure I didn't have any bumps in the room. The last thing was the cut the excess flooring around the edges of the bathroom walls to make it fit exactly onto the subfloor. This was the most difficult part for me, I'll have to figure out an easy way to cut it evenly.
I was able to hide some of the missed cuts by installing new 1x4 baseboards throughout. I caulked and painted those. I just acquired a new miter saw from a very good D&B Supply sale. Normally it was $600, I got it for $400. The guy that worked there had to go in the back to get my saw, when he got back he gave us $30 in D&B cash or whatever. He was great (Meridian D&B Supply, I didn't catch his name). It's a Dewalt DWS779 and it worked VERY well for me, I love it. I want to find a job where I get to do more baseboard and get some more practice. After all was complete, I installed the toilets and cleaned up after myself.
Total Hours 12, includes 2 store trips, demo, dump, install. Materials ~$150. After expenses I made around $70 an hour which is typically what I try to charge when I estimate. So the absence of roadblocks really helped me out on this one.
This is something you could DIY if you focus. Here are some tips for installing sheet vinyl:
Prepare the subfloor. The subfloor must be clean, dry, smooth, and level. Any cracks or holes should be repaired. If the subfloor is uneven, you may need to use a self-leveling compound.
Acclimate the vinyl. Before you install the vinyl, let it acclimate to the room temperature for at least 24 hours. This will help to prevent the vinyl from buckling or shrinking after it is installed.
Measure and cut the vinyl. Measure the room carefully and cut the vinyl to size. Be sure to add a few inches of extra vinyl on all sides to allow for trimming.
Install the adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the subfloor following the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to spread the adhesive evenly and avoid getting any on the walls.
Lay the vinyl. Carefully lay the vinyl in the room, starting in the center and working your way out. Use a heavy object to smooth out the vinyl and remove any air bubbles.
Trim the excess vinyl. Once the vinyl is in place, trim the excess vinyl around the edges of the room. You can use a utility knife and a straight edge for this.
Seal the seams. If you are using a loose-lay vinyl, you will need to seal the seams with a sealant. This will help to prevent water from getting underneath the vinyl.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
If you are installing vinyl in a large room, you may want to use a seam roller to help you seal the seams.
If you are installing vinyl around a toilet or other obstacles, you will need to make relief cuts in the vinyl. To do this, use a utility knife to cut the vinyl along the outline of the obstacle.
If you are installing vinyl over a radiant heat system, be sure to use a vinyl that is specifically designed for this purpose.
With proper care and installation, sheet vinyl flooring can last for many years.
As, always, If you need assistance with your flooring, please reach out. I can give you tips or you can hire me to do it for you.
Call, E-mail, or Text DK Home Services if you need help or if you need an estimate today
208-994-5845
- David
Owner/Operator
DK Home Services LLC
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