Hardwood vs Tile vs Lifeproof

[Tyler Boykin]

So flipping an 1800 sqft house and trying to decide on floors. I over budgeted on this one because i wasnt really sure what it would cost.

I have a lumber liquidators near me that sells a white oak plank for $1.19 sqft (i bought 2 bundles to check it out, and about 20% is trash). The glue seems to be the expensive part im struggling to find anything thats not going to run me $2000 for the whole house. (Unsure on sealer/varnish as of now) with me and qn assistant i can probably do it alone in 5-7 days.

Tile i have found good enough stuff at $1.50sqft and then the thin set would run around $700 for the house. And grout $500. Probably 7-10 days with 2 assistants.

Life proof comes with a mosture bearier and is $2.99 a sqft super easy install probably 2-3 days alone.

I have no idea which will raise the property value the best. At first i thought wood in rooms tile everywhere else. Some houses here have wood everywhere but bathrooms. Ive never done the lifeproof stuff but i keep being told its the way to go but im afraid people think its just cheap crap. 

what do you all put in your remodels?

[Jim Kalish]

I hate to say this but it depends.  What are the other rehabed homes in the area installing?  What' the price point?  There is nothing like 3/4" tongue and groove hardwood.  But that's expensive and needs a pro to put it down.  I know others are saying vinyl is cheap  And up until recently I would agree.  But LVP, Luxury Vinyl Planking, is affordable, easy to install, forgiving on slightly uneven floors, and it is water resistant.  I've put it in rentals and in higher end restorations for others.  It can go in every room in the house.  THe new trend is having the same flooring throughout the entire level of the house.  But hard woods in the kitchen and bath can be  problem.  And since you are talking about glues I doubt you are looking at true 3/4" hardwood.  At 1.19/sq ft I'm guessing it's 8mm laminate.  Laminate flooring simulates wood with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.

Go to a few open houses for new homes in your area and see what they are doing.  If similar priced 1800 sq ft new homes are doing engineered flooring then you have your answer.  Remember, you aren't the one who is going to live there.  Put in what your targeted buyer will want.  Have a lot of eco-friendly young professionals looking to buy in your area?  Bamboo is the way to go.  A little more pricey but if you highlight that its from easily renewable source you can charge  premium.  There is no one answer.  Do your local research before deciding on something this important.

Good luck