Vinyl plank flooring Vs Carpet?

Question

In the process to acquiring a 3-4 unit property, My business partner and I are wondering is it smart to add vinyl plank flooring to living room/bed room combo or just Vinyl in living room and carpet in bedroom?.

The reason we ask is because we want long term benefit and durability of the product? from animals to tenants. Also Would this be base on comps of like properties in the area, if not will it increase property value besides the usual kitchen and bathroom?.

Nicole Pettis · Answer

@Abou C. I would just do the vinyl in the main living areas and keep carpet in the bedrooms. If you were doing hardwood I would do it throughout, because that will bring much value.I did a lot of research on luxury vinyl tile and it really doesn't increase property value. But I would also check out your market to see what they are using.

Patrick L. · Answer

Question, do you like changing the flooring between each tenant? If so put carpet in. If not use vinyl plank, it's fairly indestructible. I buy the Trafficmaster Allure from Home Depot and it's $1.89/ft. It costs a bit more but over time it saves you money. I use vinyl plank in all of my properties with wood subfloors and tile in almost all of those on a slab (some higher end ones I do a nice laminate in the bedrooms). I don't use carpet anywhere. The problem with laminate is it's very vulnerable to moisture and easily ruined by a careless tenant. Carpet is just a rag that sucks up anything that you get near it. The vinyl plank I use is rated for bathrooms so I don't have that issue.

Jonathan Key · Answer

Note taken.

James Vega · Answer

I just redid my whole sfr approx 1800 sqft with vinyl plank wood flooring. Had a 25 yr commercial grade warranty on it. The prior tenant stole/removed all the carpet from the house. I will not be putting carpet in any rental from now on. The vinyl looks great and nicer than some laminate I've seen. If the tenant wants carpet in their bedroom or living room they can go buy an area rug. I shouldn't have to mess with the floors in this house for over a decade. Cost $7k

Karen Margrave · Answer

In 2004 we built a 4600 sq. ft. house. Our son was a teen, and he and his friends used to practice freestyle motocross riding on our property. I knew there would be times when they'd come in and forget to take off their motorcycle boots. I designed the house to live in, and didn't want to be worrying about scratches, etc. After talking with the Shaw flooring rep for northern California he advised me to use vinyl strips. I did, and they're still in perfect condition! I used carpet in the living room, great room, dining, and all the bedrooms, but for the halls, kitchen, etc. I used vinyl. In the bathrooms, tile and stone.

Jonathan Key · Answer

@Abou C. Great question, great topic! Followed!

James Vega · Answer

Luckily we were able to make a claim on our fire policy insurance for both the floors and the lost rent while we made the repairs. It helped somewhat to offset the costs. It's been rented now for over a year back up at $1100/month

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

Wow that is crazy ...

James Vega · Answer

yeah awesome! Crazy cat lady had been a tenant for over 6 years. I am an out of state owner due to the Navy moving us around. Our property manager was horrible so I fired them and thought we could manage it ourselves since she was such a "great" tenant. As soon as we took over she reduced the amount she was paying by 10% because she thought she was acting as the property manager now. We initially were very polite and said that would not work and wrote her emails explaining as such. She continued paying her reduced amount and then started making offers on the house to buy it as is. Her offers were rediculous the and we had no intention of selling. After several months we continued to press for the back rent. We should have initiated eviction proceedings on her the first month, but with no property manager and no contacts the city we were stuck. We tried to get a property manager but none would touch with the situation we were in, saying that we too get her and then they would help. She stopped paying in March. She finally moved out in August... $15k of rehab later we have lots lessons learned. I took 2 weeks off of work put 20 hrs a day working on the rehab. Neighbors said she took the carpet out 2 years prior. Good Times

Paul Mossbarger · Answer

I was just thinking of going with the vinyl planks myself I am going with them for sure now. You guys made some good points.