Kitchen Flooring Installation: What to Expect
New kitchen flooring transforms your space—but the installation process can feel like a mystery if you’ve never been through it. How long will it take? What needs to happen before installers arrive? When can you use your kitchen again?
Understanding the installation process helps you prepare properly and sets realistic expectations. Whether you’re installing laminate, luxury vinyl, tile, or hardwood, knowing what’s coming makes the experience smoother and less stressful.
Let’s walk through the entire process from initial planning to the moment you step on your finished floor.
Before Installation: Preparation and Planning
Good installation results start with proper preparation well before installation day arrives.
Measurements and Estimates
The process typically begins with a professional measurement visit. An experienced estimator comes to your home, measures your kitchen space, examines your current flooring, assesses the subfloor condition (if accessible), and discusses your product preferences.
This visit serves multiple purposes. Accurate measurements ensure you order the right amount of material—critical for avoiding delays or excess waste. The estimator identifies potential challenges like uneven subfloors, moisture concerns, or tricky layouts around cabinets and islands.
You’ll receive a detailed estimate covering materials, labor, and any additional work needed (subfloor repair, removal of existing flooring, etc.). Quality flooring companies provide written estimates that break down costs clearly so you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
This is also your chance to ask questions. How long will installation take? When can you schedule it? What preparation do you need to handle? Do appliances need to be disconnected? Get clarity on all logistics during this initial meeting.
Removing Existing Flooring
If you have old flooring, it usually needs to come out before new flooring goes in. Removal services are sometimes included in installation pricing, sometimes charged separately. Clarify this in your estimate.
Removal complexity varies by material. Vinyl and laminate often come up relatively easily. Tile requires demolition and can be messy and time-consuming. Glued-down flooring may take longer to remove than floating floors.
Plan for disposal. Some installers include haul-away in their pricing. Others expect you to arrange disposal. If you’re DIYing this part, rent a dumpster or plan multiple trips to the dump—flooring removal generates significant debris.
Removing flooring usually takes one day for average-sized kitchens, though tile removal might take longer. If you’re hiring professionals for removal, they’ll typically do it a day or two before installation begins, giving time for any necessary subfloor repairs.
Subfloor Preparation
The subfloor—what sits underneath your finished flooring—is invisible but critical. All flooring types require proper subfloor conditions to perform correctly.
Subfloors must be clean, dry, level, and structurally sound. Installers will sweep away debris, check for moisture issues, and verify levelness. Laminate and luxury vinyl plank typically require floors level within 3/16 inch over a 10-foot span. Tile requires even tighter tolerances.
If your subfloor isn’t level, installers may need to apply self-leveling compound, replace damaged sections, or install plywood underlayment. These corrections add time and cost but are essential for long-term flooring performance.
Moisture testing matters, especially for laminate or hardwood. Excessive subfloor moisture causes flooring to fail. Professional installers test moisture levels and address issues before proceeding.
This prep work might happen the day before installation or on installation day before laying new flooring. Either way, expect this phase to take several hours depending on what’s needed.
Your Preparation Tasks
While professionals handle the technical work, you have preparation responsibilities too.
Clear the area completely. Remove everything from the kitchen floor—tables, chairs, kitchen islands on wheels, rugs, appliances that aren’t built-in. The more you clear out, the faster and smoother installation proceeds.
Empty lower cabinets. Vibrations from installation can shake cabinet contents. Protect dishes, glasses, and food by temporarily removing them or securing them.
Disconnect appliances if needed. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves often need to be pulled out for flooring installation. Some installers handle this; others expect you to arrange it. Clarify who’s responsible. Gas appliances may require professional disconnection and reconnection.
Make kitchen alternate plans. You won’t have kitchen access during installation. Plan meals accordingly—stock the dining room with snacks, paper plates, and easy foods. Consider eating out or using a slow cooker in another room.
Protect adjacent rooms. Installation creates dust and debris. Close doors to other areas or hang plastic sheeting to contain the mess. Move pets to a quiet, safe space away from the work area.
Arrange for someone to be home. An adult should be present when installers arrive to answer questions, provide access, and approve work as it progresses.
During Installation: The Process
Installation day brings activity, noise, and progress. Here’s what happens with different flooring types.
Laminate Flooring Installation
Laminate installation typically takes one to two days for average kitchens.
Installers start by rolling out underlayment across the entire subfloor. This vapor barrier and cushioning layer is taped at seams to create a continuous moisture barrier.
The first row of laminate planks determines the entire floor’s alignment, so installers measure carefully to ensure straightness. They leave a 1/4 inch expansion gap along walls—this space allows the laminate to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes without buckling.
Planks lock together using click-lock mechanisms. Installers tap planks into place with rubber mallets, working row by row across the room. They cut planks to fit around cabinets, doorways, and transitions using power saws (expect noise).
Intricate cuts around cabinet bases, door jambs, and irregular spaces require precise measurement and cutting. This detail work takes time but ensures professional-looking results.
At the end of each day (or when complete), installers install transition pieces where kitchen flooring meets other floor types, cut and install baseboards or quarter-round trim to cover expansion gaps, and clean up debris.
You can usually walk on laminate floors immediately after installation, though it’s wise to wait 24 hours before moving heavy appliances back into place.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation
LVP installation mirrors laminate in many ways and takes similar time—one to two days for most kitchens.
Some luxury vinyl plank installations use underlayment; others don’t depending on the product and subfloor type. Your installer will determine what’s needed.
Vinyl planks also lock together (in floating installations) or can be glued down depending on the product. The click-lock installation process resembles laminate: careful first row alignment, row-by-row progression, cutting around obstacles, and leaving expansion gaps.
Glue-down vinyl installation takes longer because each plank must be pressed into adhesive and allowed to set. This method provides maximum stability but extends installation time and makes future removal more difficult.
Vinyl conforms to minor subfloor imperfections better than rigid laminate, which can make installation slightly more forgiving. However, proper subfloor preparation still matters for best results.
Like laminate, vinyl floors are usually walkable immediately, with a 24-hour waiting period recommended before full use.
Tile Flooring Installation
Tile installation is more complex and takes three to five days typically.
Day one involves thorough subfloor preparation—often including installing cement board underlayment for stability and moisture protection. This underlayment must be screwed securely and seams taped before tiling begins.
Layout planning is critical with tile. Installers determine starting points, measure for centered placement (avoiding tiny slivers of tile at edges), and plan the pattern if you’re using multiple tile sizes or colors.
Setting tiles requires spreading thinset mortar, placing tiles with appropriate spacing for grout lines, using tile spacers to maintain consistent gaps, and ensuring each tile is level with adjacent tiles. Installers work in small sections, setting and leveling before moving forward.
Tiles around cabinets, appliances, and doorways must be cut precisely. This requires wet saws and patient measuring. Expect significant noise during cutting.
After tiles are set, thinset must cure—usually 24 to 48 hours—before grouting can begin. During this time, you cannot walk on the floor.
Grouting involves spreading grout across tile surfaces, pressing it into joints, wiping away excess, and allowing it to cure. Grout curing takes another 24 to 72 hours depending on the product.
Total tile installation, including all curing time, typically spans three to five days. The floor isn’t fully usable until grout has cured completely.
Hardwood Flooring Installation
Hardwood installation methods vary—nail-down for solid hardwood, floating or glue-down for engineered hardwood. Installation takes two to four days typically.
Nail-down installation requires a wooden subfloor. Installers use flooring nailers or staplers to secure each board. This creates noise but provides extremely stable results.
Hardwood must acclimate to your home’s temperature and humidity before installation. This means storing unopened hardwood boxes in the installation space for three to seven days prior to installation. Factor this waiting period into your timeline.
Like other materials, hardwood requires precision cutting around obstacles and careful attention to starting row alignment. The individual board-by-board installation takes longer than click-lock products.
After installation, hardwood may need finishing if you’ve chosen unfinished products. This adds several days for applying stain, sealant, and protective coatings, plus drying time between coats.
Finished or prefinished hardwood is walkable after installation, though you should wait 24 hours before normal use and 72 hours before replacing furniture and appliances.
After Installation: Finishing Touches and Cleanup
Once the main flooring is installed, several final tasks complete the project.
Installers install transition strips where your kitchen floor meets other flooring types—these cover expansion gaps and create smooth, safe transitions. They cut and install baseboards or quarter-round trim to cover expansion gaps along walls. Some jobs include painting or staining this trim; others leave it raw for you to finish.
Thorough cleanup is standard with professional installation. Installers sweep, vacuum, and remove all debris. However, a thin layer of dust may settle throughout your home despite containment efforts. Plan for a post-installation cleaning.
Heavy appliances go back in place once the floor is ready—typically 24 to 48 hours after installation. If professionals moved them out, they usually put them back. If you moved them, you’ll need to handle reinstallation.
For dishwashers, ensure the door can open fully over the new floor height. Sometimes flooring raises the floor slightly, affecting dishwasher clearance. Address this during installation rather than discovering it later.
Most installers do a final walkthrough with you, pointing out care requirements and addressing any concerns. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the finished floor before they leave.
Common Challenges and How Pros Handle Them
Professional installers encounter and solve common challenges routinely.
Uneven subfloors: Self-leveling compound or shimming corrects dips and humps that would cause flooring issues. Pros identify these problems during prep and fix them before laying new flooring.
Moisture concerns: If moisture testing reveals elevated subfloor moisture, pros may install additional moisture barriers, recommend dehumidification, or in severe cases, delay installation until the issue is resolved.
Odd room shapes: Kitchens with many corners, angles, or alcoves require more cutting and fitting. Experienced installers measure carefully and cut precisely to achieve seamless results in complex layouts.
Cabinet toe kick heights: Sometimes new flooring doesn’t fit under cabinet toe kicks, creating gaps. Pros may remove and reinstall toe kicks, install additional quarter-round, or adjust floor placement to minimize visibility.
Transition height differences: If your new kitchen floor sits higher or lower than adjacent room flooring, transition strips create a safe, attractive change in level. Pros select appropriate transition types based on the height difference.
Appliance clearance: Refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges sometimes have tight clearances. Pros measure carefully and adjust as needed—sometimes requiring slightly lower-profile flooring products or modifying appliance feet.
These challenges are normal, not disasters. Experienced installers have solutions ready and implement them without drama.
Timeline Expectations by Flooring Type
Here’s what to expect from initial consultation to finished floor:
Luxury Vinyl Plank:
- Initial consultation and measurement: 1 hour
- Material ordering and delivery: 1–2 weeks
- Existing flooring removal (if needed): 1 day
- Subfloor prep: Few hours to 1 day
- Installation: 1–2 days
- Ready for full use: Immediately to 24 hours
- Total project time: 2–3 weeks from start to finish
Waterproof Laminate:
- Initial consultation and measurement: 1 hour
- Material ordering and delivery: 1–2 weeks
- Existing flooring removal (if needed): 1 day
- Subfloor prep: Few hours to 1 day
- Installation: 1–2 days
- Ready for full use: Immediately to 24 hours
- Total project time: 2–3 weeks from start to finish
Tile:
- Initial consultation and measurement: 1 hour
- Material ordering and delivery: 1–3 weeks
- Existing flooring removal: 1–2 days
- Subfloor prep and underlayment: 1 day
- Tile setting: 1–2 days
- Grout curing: 2–3 days
- Ready for full use: 3–5 days after grouting
- Total project time: 3–5 weeks from start to finish
Hardwood:
- Initial consultation and measurement: 1 hour
- Material ordering and delivery: 2–4 weeks
- Acclimation period: 3–7 days
- Existing flooring removal: 1 day
- Subfloor prep: Few hours to 1 day
- Installation: 2–4 days
- Finishing (if unfinished): 3–5 days
- Ready for full use: 72 hours after installation
- Total project time: 4–7 weeks from start to finish
These timelines assume normal conditions. Custom orders, complex layouts, or unforeseen subfloor issues can extend timelines.
Cost Expectations Beyond Materials
Material costs are one part of the budget. Understanding all costs helps you plan accurately.
Professional installation: $2–$4 per square foot for vinyl or laminate, $5–$12 per square foot for tile, $4–$8 per square foot for hardwood. Rates vary by region and installer experience.
Removal of existing flooring: $1–$3 per square foot depending on material type. Tile removal costs more than vinyl or laminate removal.
Subfloor repair or preparation: $2–$6 per square foot for leveling compounds, patching, or plywood underlayment. Costs depend on severity of issues.
Transition strips and trim: $20–$60 per transition piece, $1–$3 per linear foot for baseboards or quarter-round. These small details add up but are essential for finished appearance.
Appliance disconnection/reconnection: Sometimes included, sometimes $50–$150 per appliance if professionals handle it. Gas appliances may cost more.
Disposal fees: $50–$200 for old flooring disposal depending on amount and local dump fees.
Furniture moving: Sometimes included, sometimes $50–$200 if installers move heavy pieces in and out.
For a typical 150-square-foot kitchen:
- Budget vinyl or laminate: $1,200–$2,400 installed
- Mid-range vinyl or laminate: $2,100–$3,600 installed
- Premium vinyl or laminate: $3,000–$4,800 installed
- Tile installation: $3,000–$6,000+ installed
- Hardwood installation: $3,600–$7,500+ installed
These are ballpark figures. Get detailed written estimates for your specific project.
Choosing Professional Installation vs. DIY
Laminate and luxury vinyl plank are marketed as DIY-friendly, and experienced DIYers can achieve good results. However, professional installation offers significant advantages.
Professionals bring experience. They’ve installed thousands of floors and solved every common problem. First-time installers face learning curves that can lead to mistakes.
Subfloor issues get addressed properly. Pros identify and correct subfloor problems that DIYers might miss or not know how to fix. These hidden issues cause flooring failures later.
Work proceeds faster. What takes pros one to two days might take DIYers a full week working evenings and weekends. If kitchen downtime is a concern, speed matters.
Warranties stay intact. Many flooring warranties require professional installation. DIY installation may void material warranties.
Results look better. Professional cuts around cabinets and doorways, straight starting rows, and proper trim installation create cleaner, more finished appearances.
You avoid tool investment. Flooring installation requires specialized tools—saws, nailers, spacers, tapping blocks. Buying or renting these adds cost to DIY projects.
DIY makes sense if you have experience, time, tools, and patience. Professional installation makes sense if you want guaranteed results, faster completion, and warranty protection. Many homeowners find the peace of mind worth the installation cost.
Working with Leicester Flooring
We’ve perfected kitchen flooring installation over 50 years in business. Our process minimizes disruption while delivering quality results you’ll enjoy for decades.
We begin with free in-home measurements and consultations. You’ll get accurate estimates, honest assessments of what your project requires, and answers to all your questions before committing to anything.
Our installation team includes certified professionals with years of experience. They treat your home respectfully, contain mess effectively, and work efficiently to restore kitchen functionality quickly.
We handle the full scope—existing flooring removal, subfloor preparation, installation, trim work, cleanup, and final inspection. You get a finished floor ready to use, not a halfway project requiring your completion.
Our lifetime installation warranty backs the workmanship. If installation-related issues develop, we address them. This warranty complements manufacturer product warranties, giving you complete protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does kitchen floor installation take?
Vinyl or laminate installation typically takes one to two days. Tile installation takes three to five days including curing time. Hardwood takes two to four days plus any finishing time required. Total project timelines from consultation to completion range from two to seven weeks depending on material type and scheduling.
Can you live in your house during flooring installation?
Yes, though the kitchen will be unusable during active installation. Plan alternate meal arrangements. Other rooms remain accessible unless they’re adjacent work areas that need protection. Most homeowners stay in their homes throughout installation with minor inconvenience.
Do I need to move appliances before flooring installation?
Built-in appliances typically stay in place. Freestanding refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves usually need to be pulled out for flooring installation underneath them. Clarify with your installer who handles moving these—some include it in service, others expect you to arrange it.
How much does it cost to install kitchen flooring?
Professional installation costs $2–$4 per square foot for vinyl or laminate, $5–$12 per square foot for tile, and $4–$8 per square foot for hardwood. Add material costs ($3–$15+ per square foot depending on product choice), removal fees, subfloor prep, and finishing materials. Total costs for 150-square-foot kitchens range from $1,200 to $7,500+ installed.
When can I walk on new kitchen floors?
Vinyl and laminate are usually walkable immediately after installation, though 24-hour waiting periods are recommended before normal use. Tile requires 24 to 48 hours before walking and 72+ hours before full use. Hardwood is walkable after installation with 24 to 72 hours recommended before normal use and furniture replacement.
Do I need to remove kitchen cabinets for new flooring?
No, kitchen cabinets typically remain in place. Flooring is installed up to cabinet bases. Floating floors like laminate and vinyl should not extend under cabinets anyway since they need room to expand. Installers cut flooring to fit precisely around cabinet bases.
What preparation is required before flooring installation?
Clear the floor completely of furniture, appliances, and items. Empty lower cabinets to protect contents. Disconnect movable appliances or arrange for professionals to do so. Plan alternate kitchen arrangements during installation. Protect adjacent rooms from dust. Be available to answer installer questions.
Should I hire a professional or DIY kitchen flooring installation?
Professional installation ensures proper subfloor preparation, maintains product warranties, delivers faster completion, and provides guaranteed results. DIY can save money if you have experience, time, and tools. For most homeowners, professional installation’s benefits justify the cost, especially for tile or hardwood. Vinyl and laminate are the most DIY-friendly options.
Ready to start your kitchen flooring project? Schedule a free consultation with Leicester Flooring in Asheville or Hendersonville to discuss your timeline, get accurate estimates, and learn exactly what to expect for your specific situation.