A new floor changes a room more than almost anything else. Laminate is a popular choice for bedrooms, living rooms and apartments because it is warm underfoot, quick to install and affordable compared with real wood. For a holiday home it also means less disruption: a room can often be done in a short time.
We bring in floor layers from our network and coordinate the job with the other trades, so the floor goes down after the dusty and wet work is finished, and before the final painting touch-ups.
What we do
- Removing old floors. Old laminate, carpet, vinyl or worn tiles taken up and taken away. Larger jobs are part of demolition and waste removal.
- Preparing the base. Checking the floor for flatness and moisture, levelling low spots and fixing loose areas.
- Laminate floors. Laying laminate on a suitable underlay, with expansion gaps and clean cuts around door frames and pipes.
- Skirting and trims. Matching skirting boards, door thresholds and transitions to tiled areas.
- Tiled floors. For kitchens, bathrooms, terraces and ground floors, see our tiling page.
Is laminate right for your house?
Laminate works well in bedrooms, living rooms and upper floors. It is not the right choice for bathrooms, entrances that get wet, or ground floors with damp coming up from below, which is common in old stone houses. There, tiles or stone are usually the safer option.
In coastal apartments in Pula/Pola, Medulin, Rovinj/Rovigno or Poreč/Parenzo, sand from the beach and wet swimwear are a real test for any floor. Our article on floors for a Mediterranean home compares tiles, stone, laminate and wood, and how the Istrian climate affects your house explains what humidity and heat do to materials.
How it works if you are abroad
Send us photos of the rooms and the current floor on WhatsApp, with rough measurements. If you have already chosen a laminate, send the link. We give you a rough price range, then a written quote with VAT included after a site visit. You get photos of the base before fitting and of the finished floor.
What affects the price
The main factors are the floor area, what has to be removed first, how much levelling the base needs, the laminate quality you choose, the number of rooms, doors and corners, and the length of skirting. For a first idea, use the renovation cost calculator. A new floor is often combined with painting or a full apartment renovation.
Send us photos of the rooms and your current floor on WhatsApp. We will reply with a rough range and the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can laminate be laid over old tiles?
Often yes, if the tiles are firm and flat and the door heights allow it. The floor layer checks this on site. On damp ground floors we usually advise against laminate.
Is laminate a good idea for a holiday rental?
In bedrooms and living rooms, a hard-wearing laminate can work well. Avoid it in bathrooms and near entrances where wet feet and sand come in.
Do I need to empty the rooms?
Furniture has to be moved out of the room being done. We can help with moving it within the house and putting it back afterwards.
Can I choose the laminate myself?
Yes. Send us the link and we check the quantity, underlay and skirting needed before ordering.
Guides on this topic
Floors for a Mediterranean Home: Tiles, Stone, Laminate or Wood?
Which floor suits a house in Istria? Tiles, natural stone, terracotta, laminate and wood compared for heat, damp, sand, guests and old stone houses.
Bura, Salt and Sun: How the Istrian Climate Affects Your House
Wind, sea salt, strong sun, winter damp and pine trees all wear an Istrian house in their own way. What to expect and how to protect your home.
Renovating an Apartment in Pula: A Guide for Foreign Owners
Austro-Hungarian buildings, 1960s–80s blocks, co-owners, neighbours and parking: what to know before you renovate an apartment in Pula.