"One thing I'd caution though is flooring. Engineered hardwood can be great, but I've seen some cheaper laminates that just don't hold up over time."
Definitely with you on this. I've seen clients tempted by those bargain-basement laminate deals, and honestly, most regret it within a couple years—especially if they've got pets or kids running around. Flooring takes such a beating day-to-day, it's just not worth skimping too much there.
On the flipside, I've had surprisingly good experiences with porcelain tile lately. Had a client who initially wanted real stone floors but balked at the cost. We ended up going porcelain with a stone-look finish, and you'd swear it was the real deal unless you got down on your knees to inspect it (and who's doing that?). Way easier upkeep too.
Countertops are another good example—quartz has saved me more times than I can count. Marble's gorgeous but man...the maintenance alone scares half my clients off once they hear about sealing and staining.
Bottom line: there's smart budgeting and then there's cutting corners you'll regret later. Finding that balance is key...and sometimes takes a bit of trial and error!
Good points overall, but I'll push back a little on laminate. Yeah, the super cheap stuff is junk, no argument there. But I've had mid-range laminate in my basement for about 7 years now—two kids, a dog, and plenty of spilled drinks—and it's held up surprisingly well. Agree on quartz though...marble looks great until someone spills red wine or pasta sauce. Learned that one the hard way...
"marble looks great until someone spills red wine or pasta sauce. Learned that one the hard way..."
Haha, been there myself...nothing like a spaghetti dinner disaster to rethink material choices. Curious though, anyone tried vinyl plank flooring as an alternative? I've heard good things about durability and water resistance, but does it hold up as well as laminate over time with pets and kids running around? Seems like it could be another solid budget-friendly option...
Vinyl plank flooring's been pretty solid for us. Installed it about three years ago, and it's held up surprisingly well with two dogs and a toddler constantly testing its limits. Definitely beats laminate on water resistance—no swelling or warping from spills yet. Only downside I've noticed is it can scratch if furniture gets dragged around carelessly, but honestly, that's true for most flooring. Overall, I'd say it's a reliable, budget-friendly choice...just invest in some felt pads for your chairs.
Totally agree on vinyl plank—installed it myself about two years back, and it's been a champ. One tip I'd add: pay attention to the wear layer thickness when buying. Thicker layers (around 20 mil) handle scratches and scuffs way better, especially with pets or kids running wild...worth the extra few bucks imo.
