Convert Carpet to Laminate while Tenant is in place

[Dinesh T.]

I own a 2 bedroom condo and I want to change the carpet in the living room to laminate. Can we do this while the tenant is still in place? Does that create any hazardous conditions while the work is going on?

-Dinesh,

[Michael Boyer]

If at all possible, I would wait till a turnover as Steve mentioned the work may not be in the flooring (which is strenuous enough) so much as moving every item to another room or area, then moving it back (and tenants like it "back the same way").... 

Then don't forget the issues working in an occupied unit (noise, communication, tripping, etc)..... I have done a room in an occupied unit and it was more cozy than I'd like, spending a day with the family there and all their ups and downs, dodging dogs, etc... 

But all situations vary. I have used laminate for rentals starting about 8 years back and it has held up surprisingly well. Also ,no carpet cleaning at turn over--just damp mop.

My best tip, though, is that I buy a few hundred bucks of nice area rugs. I have seen these take the wear and tear and spills. Plus, roll em up and throw out or give to departing tenant and rinse and repeat. One caution--laminate on second floor, look into some acoustical underlayment, rugs, and your soundproofing to see if it is a good fit. On concrete, I used an insulated underlayment (pricey but no problems a decade out). You also test your slab first to see if it is wicking moisture.