The other is finished with stainless appliances, granite counters, faux painting and decorator colors, wood or cork flooring, and ceramic showers.

I am considering it as the lone "sizzle" factor in the house.Removing a 10ft section of wall between the living room and kitchen to really open up the house - $awaiting quotesLaminate hardwood, carpet, and ceramic quotes came in at $4100 for the entire housefrom the "higher end" subcontractor.

Once it gets into the inaccessible cracks and crevices, the wood acts like a sponge.That said, flooring that has joints is somewhat counter-productive (unless it's ceramic tile that's grouted).

@Joshua H.Have you looked at ceramic wood looking tile?  

Proper due diligence includes an Asbestos Survey, Lead (paint and ceramic tile) Survey, Property Condition Assessment (ASTM E2018 - I helped write it), and for many properties, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.

In the long run I think you would be happy you did.As for the floor you can lay ceramic tile on top of the existing ceramic tile.

I had one client get 2 ceramic painted bowls and had it fitted with a drain, and a hole for an overflow, for a master bath.

I would want the price including labor and materials.1) Carpet2) Laminate3) Vinyl planks4) Refinish hardwood floors5) Ceramic tileI'm trying to find a nice middle ground between price and durability. 

There are fewer seams for water to seep through and the corners will be held in place by the baseboard around the perimeter.But to answer your question, you could probably just take pointers from a regular ceramic/porcelain tile video.

As for hiring "local guys"... ive tried several times.. the local guys ive dealt with for carpet want more to install carpet than the local guys that i use to install ceramic tile.