Installation of Laminate Flooring - Home Depot? / Lowes? / Other?

Has nayone had any experience in getting contractor services from any of these home goods stores to install laminate flooring? Trying to decide on whether I should do it myslef or hire one of the contractors. Any feedback and/or estimates on cost would be great. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. If you know how to do it yourself and you have the time, you will save yourself money. But if you aren't quite sure on how to do it (although it's pretty easy) you could end up paying more to fix any mistakes. Both Lowes and Home Depot offer trained installers for a not to bad price. Most the time if you buy the flooring through them they can give you a total package price including installation. They also have a lot better guarantees compared to private contractors and are usually quicker to respond when something needs to be fixed. Hope this helps you out and good luck!
2. I'd give it a shot myself. Actually I've done a few and they're quite easy. However, if you're not comfortable with that route then I'd look for an installer outside of a contractor recommended by the store you bought it from. Unlike "magiceyes" or whatever she went by, I think that Lowe's etc. are too high at their present rates.
3. IF YOU AT ALL HANDY, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF. MOST PALCES THAT SELL THE LAMINATE CAN USUALLY PROVIDE YOU WITH A DO IT YOURSELFER HOW TO VIDEO. I, HOWEVER THE LAST PLACES THAT I WOULD HAVE INSTALL MY FLOORS ARE HOME DEPOT OR LOWE'S. HAVING BEEN IN THE FLOORING BUSINESS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, I HAVE HEARD MANY HORROR STORIES. YOU'RE MUCH BETTER OF GOING TO A FLOORING STORE FOR FLOORING. TRUST ME, THEIR KNOWLEDGE IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE BIG CHAIN HARDWARE STORES.
4. something to look into are the DIY classes that home depot and lowes does several times a month. I know they have done one one laminate flooring. There are also videos you can buy at home depot that show you how. My Dad did it himself and had never done it before. He was aprehensive at first but after a few starts in a back corner he figured it out and it looks professional. I know they are easy to install, you just have to be brave enough to try it. OH and you might wanna buy an extra box of the flooring just incase.