The Hidden Cost of Cheap Flooring...

The Call We Get Every Few Months

A homeowner in Shreveport or Bossier City calls us. They had flooring installed 18 months ago — by someone else, at a price we couldn't match. Now the tile is cracking. Or the LVP is popping up at the seams. Or the hardwood is cupping. They want to know what happened and what it will cost to fix.

The answer to what happened is almost always the same: the prep work was skipped.

What Gets Cut When Price Is the Only Variable

Moisture testing. In northwest Louisiana's climate, subfloor moisture testing isn't optional — it's the starting point for any professional install. Contractors who skip it aren't saving you time. They're gambling with your floor.

Subfloor leveling. Getting a subfloor flat takes time and material. It's not visible when the job is done, and many homeowners don't ask about it. A low-bid contractor will often skip it entirely and install over an uneven surface — which shows up as tile cracks, LVP joint separation, and cupping in hardwood.

Hardwood acclimation. Wood needs to reach equilibrium with your home's humidity before installation. Skipping the acclimation period — rushing to install the same day materials arrive — is one of the most reliable ways to end up with cupped or gapped hardwood floors within a year.

Proper shower waterproofing. A shower built over cement board without a proper waterproofing membrane will look fine for two or three years and then fail — grout cracking, tile detaching, water in the walls. The membrane that prevents this costs more and takes more time to install. Low-bid contractors skip it.

Site protection. Flooring installation involves cutting, dust, and foot traffic. Protecting your furniture, baseboards, and adjacent surfaces takes time. It's often the first thing that disappears when a contractor is racing to the next job.

What the Real Cost Is

Replacing a failed tile shower is a full demo and rebuild — often $3,000–$6,000 or more. Addressing subfloor moisture damage after LVP failure means pulling the floor, drying the structure, possibly replacing damaged subfloor, and reinstalling. The cost of fixing a floor that was installed wrong is almost always higher than the cost of having it installed right the first time.

The cheapest quote for the job is rarely the cheapest outcome.

How We Work

Every project we do in Shreveport, Bossier City, and the surrounding area starts with a thorough subfloor inspection, documented moisture testing, and a written quote that covers the prep work honestly. Call Kevin at (318) 250-4948 for a free in-home estimate.