How to Plan Your Flooring Replacement Timeline
Realistic timelines prevent frustration and life disruption. Flooring replacement takes 1-4 weeks depending on material, square footage, and whether you hire professionals. Understanding each phase's duration helps you schedule around work, school, and life events.
Quick Summary
Planning time
1-2 hours
Total project duration
1-4 weeks
Difficulty
Medium
Why Timeline Planning Matters
Underestimating project duration causes stress. You'll be without functional rooms, living in dust and noise, unable to cook if doing kitchen flooring. Planning the timeline helps you arrange temporary housing if needed, schedule time off work, and set realistic expectations.
Pro Tip: Add 20-30% buffer to every timeline estimate. Unexpected subfloor damage, material delivery delays, or weather (for disposal) always add time. What contractors estimate as 5 days often becomes 7 days in reality.
Phase-by-Phase Timeline Breakdown
Phase 1: Removal & Disposal
1-3 daysRemoving existing flooring varies dramatically by material type and condition.
- 1 day:Floating laminate or click-lock LVP (easy removal)
- 2 days:Carpet with pad, glued vinyl, or engineered wood
- 3 days:Ceramic tile, solid hardwood, or heavily glued materials
Add 1 day for dumpster rental and debris disposal
Phase 2: Subfloor Preparation
1-5 daysInspection, cleaning, repair, and leveling. Timeline varies based on damage discovered.
- 1 day:Good subfloor, just needs cleaning and inspection
- 2-3 days:Minor repairs, leveling compound application and drying
- 4-5 days:Significant damage requiring plywood replacement
Warning: Major water damage or structural issues can add 1-2 weeks
Phase 3: Material Acclimation
2-3 daysMaterials must adjust to room temperature and humidity. This is mandatory, not optional.
Acclimation Requirements by Material:
- • Hardwood and engineered wood: 72 hours (3 days)
- • Laminate: 48 hours (2 days)
- • LVP: 48 hours (2 days)
- • Tile: No acclimation needed
- • Carpet: 24 hours minimum
Materials must remain in the room where they'll be installed, at 65-75°F
Phase 4: Installation
2-7 daysInstallation duration depends on material complexity, square footage, and installer experience.
DIY Installation Time (1000 sq ft):
- 2-3 days:Click-lock LVP or laminate (beginner-friendly)
- 4-5 days:Glue-down LVP or engineered wood
- 5-7 days:Nail-down hardwood or complex patterns
- 6-8 days:Tile (hire professional recommended)
Professionals work 2-3x faster but cost $3-8/sq ft in labor
Phase 5: Settling & Finishing
1-2 daysFloor needs time to settle before furniture placement. Finishing touches complete the project.
- • Wait 24 hours before light foot traffic
- • Wait 48 hours before moving furniture back
- • Install baseboards and quarter round (4-6 hours)
- • Install transition strips at doorways (2-3 hours)
- • Final cleaning and inspection (2-3 hours)
Sample Project Timelines
Fast Timeline: LVP in 3 Rooms (DIY)
Medium Timeline: Hardwood Whole House (Professional)
Extended Timeline: Tile Throughout (Professional + Subfloor Issues)
Scheduling Considerations
Best Time of Year
Spring and fall have moderate humidity, ideal for wood flooring. Avoid extreme temperature swings in summer or winter which affect acclimation. Many contractors are busiest in spring, so book early or expect higher prices.
Living Arrangements
For single rooms: Stay in the house but that room is unusable. For kitchens: Set up temporary cooking area elsewhere. For whole-house projects: Consider staying with family or hotel for 3-5 days during peak installation. Plan for noise, dust, and limited access.
Work and School Schedule
Many DIYers schedule flooring for vacation weeks. If hiring pros, they can work while you're at work, but you'll need to be home for decisions. Plan for disrupted mornings/evenings even with pros working.
Pets and Kids
Keep pets and young children away from work areas. Sharp tools, adhesive fumes, and trip hazards are dangerous. Consider boarding pets or arranging childcare during peak installation days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace flooring in an entire house?
For a full house: DIY installation takes 2-4 weeks including removal, prep, acclimation, installation, and settling. Professional installation takes 1-2 weeks. Budget vinyl/LVP is fastest (1-2 weeks). Tile or hardwood takes longest (2-4 weeks). Plan for disruption to your daily routine during this time.
Do I need to move out during flooring installation?
For single rooms, you can stay in the house but that room will be unusable. For whole-house projects, many homeowners stay elsewhere for 3-7 days during active installation. At minimum, plan to be without kitchen or bathrooms if those are being done. Dust, noise, and fumes (from adhesives or finishes) make staying difficult.
Why does flooring need to acclimate?
Flooring materials expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. If installed immediately after delivery, they may expand (causing buckling) or contract (leaving gaps) after installation. Acclimation means letting materials sit in the room 48-72 hours to adjust to the environment. This prevents post-installation problems.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you have a realistic timeline, start exploring flooring material options. Begin by learning about solid and engineered hardwood flooring.