Wilmac Flooring

The 5 Flooring Mistakes That Cost UK Homeowners Thousands

We’ve all been there. Scrolling through dreamy home inspo pics and falling in love with an image of beautiful flooring. But when it comes to actually choosing and fitting flooring, it is important to think practically. The wrong choice can cost you a fortune later, and no one wants to rip up a brand new floor six months in.

Whether you’re renovating a whole house or just smartening up the hallway, getting the flooring right is a big deal. So, to help you steer clear of the most expensive pitfalls, we’ve rounded up five common flooring blunders that’ve cost UK homeowners thousands. Let’s make sure your floors look fab (and stay that way).

1. Skipping Subfloor Prep

It’s not the most exciting part of the job, but ignoring your subfloor is like building a house on jelly. If it’s not clean, dry and level, your shiny new flooring is going to have a rough time. Think creaks, lumps and gaps that weren’t there yesterday. Even the best flooring won’t sit right if the base underneath is a mess.

The worst part? You might not notice the problems straight away. But give it a few weeks and things will start shifting, especially with natural materials like wood. A bit of time spent prepping at the start can save you from having to redo the whole lot at a later date.

2. Picking the Wrong Floor for the Room

Not every floor suits every room and getting it wrong can cost you an eyewatering sum in repairs or replacements. Bathrooms and kitchens need something that can handle spills and steam without throwing a tantrum.

The same goes for high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs. A soft, delicate finish might look lovely, but it won’t thank you after a few muddy shoes or scooter rides. Think practically, not just pretty. 

3. Trying to DIY Without the Know-How

We love a bit of DIY spirit, but flooring isn’t always the place to test your skills. Laying floors takes precision, patience and more than just a YouTube tutorial. One wrong measurement or dodgy cut, and suddenly your living room has a wonky edge or a gaping joint that collects every bit of fluff in the house.

And then there’s the tools. Most proper flooring jobs need specialist gear, which means renting or buying equipment you might never use again. Hiring a professional might seem like the pricier option, but it often saves you from making expensive mistakes that could cost even more to fix. As one of the top flooring fitters in Chester we are happy to advise on the best solution for your chosen flooring.

4. Forgetting Expansion Gaps

It’s important to remember that materials like wood and laminate expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Forget to leave a bit of breathing space around the edges and your boards will push up against each other like a traffic jam. 

It’s a simple thing, but one that gets missed all the time. If you’re unsure how much space to leave, check with your fitter or the flooring manufacturer. It might not be glamorous, but it could save you a small fortune.

5. Neglecting the Aftercare

Once the floor’s down, the job’s not done. How you look after it makes a massive difference to how long it lasts. Using the wrong cleaning products, dragging heavy furniture across it or ignoring scuffs and spills can all take their toll. Some floors need regular resealing, others just want a gentle mop now and then.

Skipping the aftercare might not cause damage overnight, but it adds up fast. Before you know it, that brand new floor starts looking tired, worn and ready for replacement way sooner than expected. A little upkeep goes a long way.

There’s no denying flooring is a big investment, so avoiding these common mistakes is the best way to protect it. Whether you’re planning a full home makeover or just tackling one room, our team at Wilmac is here to help you get it right from the start. So get in touch today to find out more.