Uniformity in flooring renovations

[ShariAnn]

We`re about to close on our first investment property, and we`re a little uncertain about one aspect of the necessary renovations. We`ll be replacing the flooring in the two largest bedrooms and the hallway (all upstairs) with laminate, but the carpet in the smallest bedroom is still in very good condition. Is it wise to leave the carpet intact, or would it be better to do the entire upper floor in laminate? Is uniformity important to the renter?

Thanks

Shari-Ann Rosenberg

 

[REINteam]

Hi Shari-Ann,

I personally don`t like to fix things that don`t need it. If the carpet is in great shape I would leave it and keep the cash for now (maybe keep it for reserve). If they ruin the laminate then you pay twice, if they ruin the carpet then you put laminate when they leave (only pay once)...if they even damage it.

On the other hand it might make more sense to replace it now IF you`re not doing the work yourself, especially if the room is small. If you paying some to do the reno`s then have them do it on this trip to keep your costs down - labor. If you had to replace carpet later and only in that room it will probably cost more than a little extra laminate now.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Ray Reuter
Client Services
Real Estate Investment Network

 

[Nir]

I just finished renovating a 1-bedroom apartment. I replaced the entire flooring (all old carpet in a bad condition) with laminate in kitchen and living room and new carpet in hallway and bedroom. so as you can see i mixed carpet and laminate although I replaced entire floor. In other words, you, for sure, can leave the carpet that is in a good shape, put laminate elsewhere and save your money.

 

[jarrettvaughan]

QUOTE (ShariAnn @ Mar 9 2009, 06:08 PM) We`re about to close on our first investment property, and we`re a little uncertain about one aspect of the necessary renovations. We`ll be replacing the flooring in the two largest bedrooms and the hallway (all upstairs) with laminate, but the carpet in the smallest bedroom is still in very good condition. Is it wise to leave the carpet intact, or would it be better to do the entire upper floor in laminate? Is uniformity important to the renter?

Thanks

Shari-Ann Rosenberg

I would change it, especially seeing the cost and time would be minimal (assuming the bedroom is square with no odd shapes). I think uniformity is good, this way tenants don`t need a vacuum (could use a broom in entire house). I also think it is a little odd to have one room in the entire house with carpet.

In the end, i don`t think it make a huge difference.

 

[invst4profit]

It`s best to save money where you can. Replace the carpet between tenants in the future if necessary.
Keep in mind when preparing a unit for tenants that you personally are not living there and tenants only require that a unit be clean, safe and reasonably attractive.

 

[housedoc]

QUOTE (ShariAnn @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) We`re about to close on our first investment property, and we`re a little uncertain about one aspect of the necessary renovations. We`ll be replacing the flooring in the two largest bedrooms and the hallway (all upstairs) with laminate, but the carpet in the smallest bedroom is still in very good condition. Is it wise to leave the carpet intact, or would it be better to do the entire upper floor in laminate? Is uniformity important to the renter?

Thanks

Shari-Ann Rosenberg

I have to agree with the first response. The amount you might save now by not including the smallest bedroom will likely be much less than what you`ll pay when you have to bring someone back later just for one room....ie unless you`re doing it yourself.
Also, it will look much better if it`s all done together, rather than having a patchy looking end result.
Then again, maybe the carpet also adds warmth to the room for a baby or child?

 

[vandriani]

If you decide Not to replace the carpet, you may want to consider one thing. Purchase enough of the laminate flooring, you are currently installing, to finish the carpeted area in the bedroom (plus 10 - 15% extra for wastage and repairs). You may not be able to find the same laminate in the future. If you are speaking to uniformity, having 2 bedrooms with laminate and one without does seem odd.

 

[JimWhitelaw]

Think for a bit about who your target tenants are. Are you targeting someone who`s looking for adequate accomodation for the lowest rent? Long or short-term renters? Young professionals with high expectations for lifestyle and the quality of their home? Some tenants won`t notice or care about the odd room; others will immediately wonder what other corners you`ve cut and worry about how cheap you`ll be when it comes to ongoing maintenance. Once you get a handle on who you`re marketing to, it will be easier to understand their expectations.

Vandriani has good advice - even if you can get the same laminate later, differences between batches could mean it won`t match the original. And if you`re buying it all up front anyway, the additional time/cost to install is really minimal.

 

[MarkHealy]

You can also think long term cost. By replacing the hallway with laminate and leaving bedrooms in carpet you can reeplace individual rooms as needed.
Remember in condo`s etc laminate is LOUD, even with the right underlayment. Carpet is cheap and a single room is easy to replace. The idea can be sold as each room has individual character.

 

[markbrad]

One thing I have found by putting laminate throughout a whole floor is that it gets loud and echo-y (is that a word?) I also would not do it again with a suite below ( I insulated the floor joist spaces even) as it tends to tranfer sound more than carpet. Also had poor experience with the $0.69 - $1.99 stuff. The edges chip easy and tend to lift over time. Other wise it is quite durable.

Mark