I had a job putting down vinyl plank in a small bathroom recently. The space was tight with a shower and toilet, so I was nervous about moisture. I used a thin moisture barrier under the planks to be safe. Trimming the pieces to fit around the base was a bit of a puzzle, but I went slow. When I put in the final piece, it clicked right in and looked seamless. The homeowner came in and was really pleased with how it looked. It felt good to know the floor would hold up over time. Small wins like this make the tough days worth it.
Every job lately, clients want it done yesterday with the cheapest materials... like they're ordering fast food. I try to explain that good flooring needs proper prep and time to set... but they don't listen. It's like the whole idea of lasting value is gone... just instant gratification. Makes me worry about the future of our trade.
Now I have to fix their messes on half my local jobs.
I'm seeing more jobs where the adhesive just won't cure properly in damp conditions. Last week, we had a tile install in a bathroom with poor ventilation, and the glue stayed sticky for over two days. This messed up our whole timeline because we couldn't lay the next layer. The product info says it works in high humidity, but that's clearly not true. Now I have to factor in extra drying time for every moist area job. It adds cost and stress for no good reason. We need adhesives that actually do what they promise.
I see this trend all the time and it puzzles me. The material isn't fully waterproof at the seams. Last job I did, we had to replace it after six months.