How Long Does Flooring Installation Take?
Flooring timelines vary more by material than almost any other renovation category. A room of LVP and the same room in tile can differ by a week or more, mostly due to curing time that simply can't be rushed. Here's what to expect by material.
Subfloor Prep Comes First, Regardless of Material
Before any finish flooring goes down, the subfloor needs to be leveled and repaired. This step, often underestimated in timeline expectations, typically takes one to three days depending on the subfloor's condition, and is especially important in older Philadelphia homes where the original subfloor has settled unevenly over decades.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): The Fastest Option
LVP installs directly over a prepared subfloor without mortar or extended curing time. A typical room takes one to two days, and a full floor of a row home can often be completed within a week once the subfloor is ready. This speed is one of the practical reasons LVP has become so popular for larger projects.
Hardwood: Installation Plus Finishing Time
New hardwood installation itself takes roughly similar time to LVP, one to two days for a standard room, but unfinished hardwood then needs sanding, staining and multiple coats of finish, each requiring drying time between coats. Altogether, a hardwood floor project typically takes one to two weeks from start to a fully cured, walkable finish. Pre-finished hardwood skips the on-site finishing step and installs faster, closer to LVP timelines.
Refinishing existing hardwood: Refinishing already-installed hardwood follows a similar timeline to new unfinished hardwood, sanding, staining and multiple finish coats, typically three to five days per room including dry time, during which the room is not walkable.
Tile: The Longest Timeline
Tile requires the most patience. After the subfloor is prepped, tile is set in mortar, which needs one to two days to cure before grouting. Grout itself needs additional curing time before the floor can handle regular foot traffic. A standard bathroom or kitchen tile floor typically takes four to seven days total, longer for larger areas or intricate patterns like herringbone.
Timeline Comparison by Material
| Material | Typical Timeline (Standard Room) |
|---|---|
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | 1-2 days |
| Pre-finished hardwood | 1-3 days |
| Unfinished hardwood (site-finished) | 1-2 weeks |
| Tile | 4-7 days |
These timelines are for the flooring itself; a full flooring installation project also includes demolition of old flooring and subfloor prep beforehand, and baseboards or transitions afterward, adding a few additional days on either end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up a tile installation by rushing the curing time?
No, and doing so risks cracked grout or tiles that shift underfoot. Mortar and grout curing times are based on the product's chemistry, not preference, and rushing this step is one of the most common causes of tile failure within the first year.
Can flooring be installed while I'm still living in the house?
Yes, for most rooms, though the specific room being worked on is unusable during installation and, for tile, during curing. Whole-home flooring projects are often sequenced room by room so the household retains some usable space throughout.
Does removing old flooring add much time?
Removing carpet or laminate is usually quick, often less than a day for a standard room. Removing old tile takes longer and can reveal subfloor damage underneath that needs repair before new flooring goes down, which is factored into the estimate after an in-person assessment.
Ready to Plan Your Flooring Timeline?
Reliable Home Remodeling gives you a written schedule based on your specific material choice and room condition, so you know exactly how long your floor will be out of service.
Ready to get a timeline for your flooring project? Request a free estimate today.
