Bought an Older Home? Why to Do the Floors First
Kirill, Founder
You just got the keys. The house has good bones, but the floors are tired. Old carpet, worn wood, maybe a mix of three different floors in one hallway.
If you can, do the floors before you move in. Here's why.
An empty house is the easiest time
Floors are much simpler when the rooms are empty. There's nothing to move, no one living around the work and no furniture to protect. Once you're moved in, every room has to be cleared and put back. (We move furniture for every job, but an empty house is still easier on everyone.)
You might have hardwood you didn't know about
Many older homes in the Sacramento area have oak under the carpet. It might look rough, with staple holes, paint drips or pet stains. A lot of that sands out. Refinishing can turn that hidden floor into the standout feature of the house.
A kitchen floor, sanded and stained
Older floors can hide problems underneath
Older homes have had decades to settle. Subfloors can have soft spots, loose panels or old water damage. Some have uneven areas from past repairs. These are much easier to find and fix while the floor is open and the house is empty.
Match the floor to the room
Not every room needs the same floor.
- Living areas and bedrooms: hardwood or refinished original wood
- Kitchens, baths and laundry: luxury vinyl plank is waterproof and stands up to spills
- Slab homes: engineered hardwood is built to work over concrete
- Stairs: carpeted stairs can often be turned into wood treads
One plan for the whole house
Doing the floors together means the colors match, the transitions between rooms line up and you only live through the work once.
Start with a walkthrough
Every older home is different. We'll walk the house with you, check what's under the carpet, test for moisture and look at the subfloor. Then we'll give you an honest plan, room by room.
Kirill has called Sacramento home for almost 30 years. His favorite part of the job is seeing a homeowner walk into their finished space for the first time.
Ready to make the new place feel like home? Get a free in-home estimate.
