Understand the typical timeline for Flooring Installation in Star, from material selection to final walkthrough.
Typical timelines for actual flooring projects we complete in Star:
The definitive Star flooring project: pulling the builder's 4mm to 6mm gray LVP throughout the main floor and replacing it with premium 8mm to 12mm SPC rigid-core LVP in a warm medium oak tone. This project typically covers the entry, living room, dining area, kitchen, and all hallways — the full open-concept main level that accounts for 1,200 to 1,800 square feet in most Star two-story homes. The builder floor is removed, the slab is moisture-tested and assessed for flatness, any needed leveling compound is applied, and the new LVP is installed with matching transitions at tile thresholds and matching stair nosings at the stair opening. The result transforms the visual character of the main level from generic builder-grade to genuinely designed, personalized space.
For Star homeowners ready to execute a comprehensive flooring upgrade, this project covers the entire home: premium LVP on the main floor, quality carpet in all bedrooms and the bonus room, and large-format tile in all bathrooms and the laundry. This is the single project that most completely transforms the look and feel of a Star home from builder-standard to genuinely finished. The project is typically scheduled in phases — main floor first, then bedrooms and bonus room, then bathrooms — or all at once if the homeowner is temporarily relocated. Material selection happens as a coordinated palette: LVP tone, carpet color, and tile color are chosen together to create a cohesive whole-home look rather than a collection of individually selected materials.
A targeted upgrade project for Star homeowners who want to address the kitchen and bathroom floors without a full main-level replacement. Builder bathrooms in Star homes typically have standard 12x12 ceramic tile — functional but visually dated by current standards. Replacing this with 12x24 or 24x24 rectified porcelain tile in a warm matte finish dramatically modernizes the bathroom aesthetic. Kitchen tile upgrades from builder-grade to large-format porcelain create an equally impactful visual transformation. This project scope pairs well with simultaneous bathroom vanity and countertop upgrades for homeowners who want to address the full bathroom experience in one project.
Star's two-story homes have stairs that are among the most visible and highest-traffic flooring areas in the house — and they receive builder carpet that was not specified for durability or aesthetics. A staircase upgrade replaces the builder stair carpet with either new high-quality carpet (Berber or cut-pile in a durable commercial-grade fiber) or LVP stair treads with painted risers for the contemporary bare-wood stair look that has become popular throughout Star's market. Upper-floor bedroom carpet replacement with fresh mid-grade to premium carpet is the standard companion to a stair upgrade, addressing the full upper-floor flooring in a single coordinated project.
For Star homeowners who want genuine wood rather than a wood-look LVP, this project replaces the main-level builder flooring with engineered hardwood in a species and finish that expresses their specific aesthetic preferences. Engineered hardwood in Star's climate requires careful acclimation — 5 to 7 days minimum — and proper moisture management (a whole-home humidifier is strongly recommended to maintain indoor RH above 35 percent during Idaho's dry winter heating season). The premium material cost and technical requirements of this project make it appropriate for Star homeowners with stronger design conviction and longer holding horizons — it is a 20-plus-year flooring investment rather than a 10-year LVP investment.
Understanding the timeline for flooring installation in Star helps you plan around daily life disruptions, coordinate schedules, and set realistic expectations for when the project will be complete. Every project is different, but most flooring projects in Star follow a predictable sequence of phases.
In-home measurement, subfloor assessment, material selection, and estimate finalization. Material ordering and delivery may add 1-2 weeks depending on availability.
Flooring material is delivered and stored in the home to acclimate to indoor temperature and humidity. Hardwood requires the longest acclimation period; LVP and laminate require less.
Removal and disposal of existing flooring. Carpet removal is fast; tile and glued-down flooring removal takes longer.
Leveling, repairs, moisture barrier installation, and surface preparation. Subfloors in good condition require minimal prep.
Material installation throughout the home. A typical 1,500-2,000 sq ft LVP or hardwood installation takes 3-5 days. Tile floors take longer due to thin-set curing and grouting.
Baseboard and transition strip installation, shoe molding, final cleaning, and walkthrough.
Here is the full step-by-step process for a flooring in Star, including what happens at each stage:
We measure every room, assess the existing subfloor condition, check for moisture issues, discuss your lifestyle needs, and help you select the right flooring material for each area of the home. You receive a detailed estimate with material and labor costs.
We help you choose flooring from our supplier partners — comparing styles, colors, wear layers, and warranties. We order material with appropriate overage for cuts and waste. Material acclimation time (especially for hardwood) is factored into the schedule.
We remove existing carpet, tile, vinyl, or laminate and dispose of all material responsibly. Tack strips, staples, adhesive residue, and any damaged subfloor sections are addressed during removal.
This is the most important step. We level the subfloor using self-leveling compound where needed, repair any damaged sections, install moisture barriers where required, and verify the surface is clean, flat, and dry before installation begins.
Material is installed with the appropriate method — click-lock floating, nail-down, glue-down, or thin-set for tile. Each plank, board, or tile is precision-cut and placed with consistent spacing, tight seams, and proper expansion gaps at walls.
Transition strips are installed between different flooring types and at doorways. Baseboards are reinstalled or replaced. Quarter-round or shoe molding covers expansion gaps. A final walkthrough ensures quality and cleanliness.
Several factors specific to Star and the Treasure Valley can affect your flooring timeline:
Custom materials, specialty items, and premium products can have lead times of 4-14 weeks. We order materials as early as possible in the design phase to minimize schedule impact.
City of Star Building Department typically processes residential permits in 1-3 weeks. More complex projects with structural changes may take longer. We submit permits immediately after design approval.
Star shares the Treasure Valley climate. Open terrain and rural-edge location mean more wind and UV exposure. Interior remodeling can happen year-round, but projects with exterior components are best scheduled during the building season (March through November).
Star's housing stock is overwhelmingly post-2015 construction. Modern systems throughout, but builder-grade finishes that homeowners customize over time. Older homes may reveal unexpected conditions during demolition — water damage, outdated wiring, or structural issues — that add time to the schedule. We build contingency into every project timeline.
One of the most common causes of project delays is slow decision-making during the design and material selection phase. Having a clear vision and making timely selections keeps the project on track.
The specific type of flooring project affects the timeline significantly. Here are the most common project types in Star:
Install click-lock or glue-down luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout your home. LVP is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and available in realistic wood and stone patterns. Ideal for whole-home installations including kitchens and bathrooms.
Install solid or engineered hardwood flooring with nail-down, glue-down, or floating installation methods. Includes species and finish selection, acclimation, subfloor prep, and transition installation.
Install porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone tile on floors in bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and laundry rooms. Includes substrate preparation, layout planning, thin-set application, grouting, and sealing.
Install floating laminate flooring with click-lock assembly. A budget-friendly option with improved durability and realistic wood-look patterns. Includes underlayment and transition strips.
Install carpet in bedrooms, bonus rooms, and basement areas. Includes pad selection, tack strip installation, seaming, and stretching for a smooth, wrinkle-free result.
Star has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Idaho, with subdivision development accelerating since 2015. The city's residential landscape is dominated by new construction with builder-grade finishes, though some older properties in the original townsite offer renovation opportunities. Star homeowners remodel to personalize builder-grade homes, add outdoor living space, and upgrade finishes to match their lifestyle. The community attracts families and professionals who want a suburban lifestyle with larger lots and a small-town feel.
Star's housing stock is overwhelmingly post-2015 construction. Modern systems throughout, but builder-grade finishes that homeowners customize over time.
A small number of older homes in the original townsite. These may need system and finish updates.
New construction with modern systems, open floor plans, and builder-grade finishes. Most remodeling focuses on finish upgrades and outdoor living additions.
Star shares the Treasure Valley climate. Open terrain and rural-edge location mean more wind and UV exposure.
Higher wind loads and more UV exposure than sheltered locations. Durable exterior materials are important.
Homes 3-7 years old may show minor settling cracks in drywall — cosmetic and common in new construction on Treasure Valley soils.
Permit authority: City of Star Building Department
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the most popular choice for whole-home installations in the Boise area. It is waterproof, scratch-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and available in realistic wood-look patterns. It can be used in every room including kitchens and bathrooms.
A typical whole-home flooring installation (1,500-2,000 sq ft) takes 5-10 days including removal of existing flooring, subfloor prep, and installation. Single-room projects may take 1-3 days. Tile installations take longer due to setting and grouting time.
LVP is more practical — it is waterproof, scratch-resistant, more affordable, and easier to maintain. Hardwood offers a warmer, more premium feel and can be refinished multiple times. Many homeowners use LVP in high-traffic and wet areas and hardwood in formal living spaces.
We handle furniture moving as part of the installation process. We move items out of the work area, install the flooring, and return furniture to position. Homeowners should plan to clear small items, electronics, and fragile objects from the rooms.
In some cases, yes. LVP and laminate can often be installed over smooth, level existing floors. However, removing old flooring typically produces a better result because it allows for proper subfloor inspection, repair, and preparation.
We use manufacturer-matched transition strips — T-moldings, reducers, and thresholds — to create clean, level connections between different flooring materials. Proper transitions are both functional (no tripping hazards) and aesthetic (clean visual lines).
LVP with a thick wear layer (20 mil or higher) is the best flooring for homes with pets. It resists scratches, is waterproof for accidents, and is easy to clean. Avoid smooth-finish hardwood and high-gloss laminate, which scratch easily.
Flooring installation in the Boise area ranges from $3-7/sq ft for laminate, $4-10/sq ft for LVP, $8-16/sq ft for engineered hardwood, and $8-20/sq ft for tile — all including material and labor. A whole-home LVP installation for a typical three-bedroom home runs $6,000-12,000.
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