Replace builder carpet with LVP, laminate or tile in Port St. Lucie, FL

Swap the builder carpet in your bedrooms for LVP, laminate or tile in Port St. Lucie, FL. Free quotes from independent local flooring installers. Ask for proof of insurance.

An empty bedroom in a new construction Florida home with beige builder grade wall to wall carpet

If you bought a new home in Tradition, Southern Grove, Riverland, Verano or anywhere off Becker Road, there is a good chance the bedrooms came with carpet. It is the builder's least expensive floor, and it is often the first thing owners want out. Hard floors are easier to clean, they do not hold dust and allergens the same way, and they cope better with sand, pets and Florida humidity.

Which floor to pick

LVP is the most common choice. Most LVP has a waterproof core, it is comfortable underfoot, and it is quick to install. Look at the wear layer, which is the clear top layer measured in mils. A thicker wear layer stands up better to pets and sand.

Laminate has a wood based core and a hard, scratch resistant top. It can feel more solid than LVP, but most laminate is not waterproof, so it fits best in dry bedrooms.

Tile is the longest lasting option and the best match if your living area is tile already. It is also the heaviest job and costs the most. See tile installation.

How it usually goes

The installer measures and shows you samples. Bring a spare tile or plank from the rest of the house if you want a close match.
Carpet, pad and the wooden tack strips nailed around the edges come up. The tack strips leave small holes in the slab, which get filled.
The slab is checked for flatness and moisture, and high or low spots are fixed. This step is what keeps a floor from feeling hollow or bouncy. See slab moisture and floor prep.
The new floor goes down, with a gap at the walls so it can expand.
Trim goes on, transitions go in at each doorway and doors are checked so they swing freely.

Baseboards, doors and transitions

In many new homes the baseboards were set to sit just above the carpet. When the carpet comes out, there can be a gap under the baseboard. The two usual fixes are quarter round or shoe molding along the bottom, which is quicker and costs less, or pulling the baseboards and resetting them on the new floor, which looks cleaner but takes more time.

Hard floors are usually thinner than carpet and pad, so bedroom doors rarely need to be cut. The door jambs and casing do, though. Installers undercut them with a saw so the new floor slides underneath, which looks much better than cutting the plank around the trim.

Where the new floor meets the tile or LVP in the hall, the heights rarely match. A T molding works when they are close. A reducer works when one is higher. Ask to see the transition piece before it goes in, because it is the part you will notice every day.

Permits, licenses and who is responsible

Many cities and counties do not require a building permit to replace floor covering alone, but rules differ and some jobs include other work that does, such as moving a toilet or changing a doorway. Confirm with your city or county building department. The installer is responsible for its own work and any permits the job needs.

Florida does not require a state contractor license for flooring work on its own. Florida Statute 489.117(4)(a) leaves flooring out of the trades that need state certification or registration. That is not the whole story, because counties and cities can have their own requirements, such as a local business tax receipt or a local license, and a job that touches plumbing or electrical work brings in other rules. Local rules can vary, so confirm with your city or county. Either way, ask any installer for proof of insurance.

For prices, see the flooring cost guide.

Questions homeowners ask

Will my bedroom doors need to be cut after the carpet comes out?

Usually not. Most hard floors are thinner than carpet and pad, so there is more room under the door, not less. The door jambs and casing are usually undercut so the new floor slides under them.

What happens to the gap under my baseboards?

Builders often set baseboards above the carpet, so a gap can show once the carpet is gone. Quarter round or shoe molding covers it, or the baseboards can be removed and reset on the new floor.

How long does it take to replace carpet in three bedrooms?

Many crews finish LVP or laminate in three bedrooms in one to two days, depending on prep. Tile takes longer because it needs time to set before grout and before you walk on it.

Can I live in the house while it is done?

Yes, for most bedroom jobs. You will need to empty the rooms or have the crew move furniture, and you may lose access to those rooms for a day or two.

Related services

We refer homeowners in Tradition, Port St. Lucie West, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Vero Beach, and nearby neighborhoods.

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