A lot of Windermere homeowners already know the floor they want. They have walked the aisles, brought samples home, and held them up to the cabinets at different times of day. For waterproof plank flooring, The Flooring Guys work labor-only: you buy the material you love, and we handle the prep, layout, and installation. You get control over the product and a crew that does the part that actually decides how the floor looks and lasts.

What labor-only means

Labor-only means you purchase the flooring yourself and we provide the installation. We do not mark up material, and you are not limited to one supplier's catalog. Our part covers the work that happens in your house: moving through the plan room by room, checking the subfloor, prepping, installing, cutting around doors and cabinets, and finishing transitions and trim.

Before you buy, we walk the house with you. We measure, look at the slab, check door clearances, and talk about where transitions will land. That way you order the right amount of the right product the first time.

The product we recommend

When homeowners ask what to buy, our answer is Aqua Guard from Floor & Decor in 12mm or thicker. In our experience it is the best balance of looks, feel, and durability for Central Florida homes. Thicker planks feel more solid underfoot, sound less hollow, and are more forgiving over the minor slab variations common in Windermere-area construction. The waterproof core stands up to wet pool feet, kitchen spills, and pets.

Thinner, budget plank can look fine on day one. It is also more likely to telegraph slab dips, click-lock joints are weaker, and it can sound hollow in big open rooms. If you are covering a large great room and kitchen, the thicker product is worth it.

What to order

Extra material. Order more than the bare square footage to cover cuts, layout, and future repairs. We will tell you the right overage for your specific rooms and pattern.
Matching trim. Stair nose, reducers, and quarter round or base shoe in a matching color. These are easy to forget and slow the job down if they are missing.
Underlayment, only if required. Many 12mm-plus products have an attached pad. Do not double up unless the manufacturer says so.
Same lot. Buy all your boxes at once so color and texture match.

Have the material delivered a few days ahead so it can acclimate in the house with the air conditioning running.

Prep is where labor-only pays off

Most failed plank floors fail because of prep, not product. On Windermere slabs, we check for flatness, high spots, and old adhesive or tile residue. We grind high spots, fill low spots, and make sure the floor is clean and flat before the first row goes down. We also undercut door casings so the plank slides under cleanly instead of being caulked around, and we plan layout so the last row along a wall is not a thin sliver.

Rooms that need extra planning

Kitchens with islands, sliding doors to the lanai, and long hallways all need a layout plan before the install starts. Floating floors need expansion space at walls and big runs, and transitions at doorways when rooms are very long. We place those transitions so they look intentional instead of random.

What homeowners handle

Choose and purchase the plank and trim.
Clear small items, breakables, and closet floors before we arrive.
Plan for appliances, toilets, and heavy furniture that need to move; we will tell you ahead of time what we handle.

Windermere and nearby

The Flooring Guys install in Windermere and the surrounding west Orange and south Lake County communities. You deal with the same team from walk-through to final cleanup.

Next step

Call The Flooring Guys at 407-379-1585 or request a walkthrough on flooringguys.net. Tell us which rooms you are doing and whether you have already picked a product. We will measure, give you a shopping list, and schedule the install once your material arrives.

How Labor-Only LVP Installation Works in Windermere