Thinking about tackling your own flooring installation? You’re not alone—we dove into a DIY flooring project full of confidence… and hit more than a few bumps along the way. If you’re planning to go the do-it-yourself route, here are five mistakes we made (so you don’t have to)—and how Giant Floor helped turn it all around.

1. We Didn’t Measure Correctly

We thought we measured everything twice—but we still came up short. We didn’t account for waste, cuts, or awkward corners.

Giant Floor Tip:
Their team walked us through the correct formula for measuring square footage and helped us add the right overage buffer for cuts and future repairs. No more guesswork.

2. We Bought the Wrong Type of Flooring

We picked a gorgeous plank that looked great online—but it wasn’t waterproof, which spelled disaster in our kitchen.

Giant Floor Tip:
They helped us choose a durable, waterproof luxury vinyl plank that could handle spills, pets, and heavy foot traffic—without compromising on style.

3. We Didn’t Prep the Subfloor

We skipped checking for dips and debris, thinking the underlayment would fix it. It didn’t. Our planks buckled and clicked unevenly.

Giant Floor Tip:
Giant Floor explained the importance of subfloor prep and even gave us a checklist to make sure the surface was level, clean, and dry before installing.

4. We Used the Wrong Tools

We thought a utility knife and a YouTube video were enough. Spoiler alert: they weren’t. The cuts were uneven, and the install looked sloppy.

Giant Floor Tip:
They recommended the right tools for the job—flooring spacers, tapping blocks, a pull bar, and a high-quality cutter—which made a world of difference.

5. We Tried to Rush It

Big mistake. We were so eager to finish that we didn’t give the materials time to acclimate. That led to gaps and shifting a week later.

Giant Floor Tip:
They emphasized the importance of letting flooring acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours. That advice saved our second install.

Final Thoughts

DIY flooring can be rewarding—but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by small mistakes that lead to big problems. Giant Floor gave us expert advice, quality materials, and local support we couldn’t find online. If you’re thinking about installing new floors yourself, don’t go it alone—go with the team that’s been flooring NEPA for over 20 years.

Need help with your next flooring project?
Visit Giant Floor’s showrooms in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Blakely, or Bartonsville to speak with experts and shop the region’s best selection of vinyl, carpet, hardwood, and tile.