By Sean Fancher, Better Built Ohio
We supply flooring to landlords and property managers across Summit, Stark, and Cuyahoga counties. If you own rentals, this is the single most-asked question we get: what flooring should I put in my next turn? After installing in hundreds of units, the answer is almost always the same — luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Here is why.
BBO Investor Pricing
At Better Built Ohio we start landlord-grade LVP at $1.50/sq ft — and investor pricing on multi-unit orders runs below standard. Flippers, BRRRR investors, and landlords running portfolios get volume rates on top of that. Get an investor quote →
What LVP actually is
Luxury vinyl plank is a multi-layer engineered floor — a printed wood-look surface over a rigid vinyl or stone-plastic composite (SPC) core, with a wear layer on top measured in mils. For rentals you want a 12 mil wear layer minimum, ideally 20 mil. Anything thinner scratches under tenant furniture.
Why landlords are switching away from carpet
Carpet was the rental default for 30 years because it was cheap. It still is — but the math doesn’t work anymore:
- Carpet life in a rental: 3–5 years before it needs replacement.
- LVP life in a rental: 12–20 years with normal use.
- Turn cost difference: Carpet gets pulled and replaced almost every turn. LVP just needs a mop.
- Tenant complaints: Stains, smells, allergies — all gone with LVP.
Run the 10-year math on a 900 sq ft 2-bedroom: carpet replaced twice at $2.50/sq ft installed = $4,500. LVP installed once at $4.50/sq ft = $4,050. LVP is already cheaper, and you haven’t counted turn labor, deodorizing, or tenant complaints.
Water resistance — the killer feature for Akron rentals
Akron’s old housing stock means leaky toilets, dishwasher overflows, and washing-machine floods are part of the job. Carpet and laminate are total losses when this happens. Good SPC-core LVP can sit in standing water for 24+ hours and dry out fine. We have pulled LVP after a slow tenant leak, dried the subfloor, and re-laid the same planks.
Install cost in Northeast Ohio
For Akron, Canton, and Cleveland Metro:
- Material: $1.80–$3.20 per sq ft for landlord-grade SPC LVP (12–20 mil wear).
- Install: $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft for floating click-lock LVP over standard subfloor.
- Total installed: $3.30–$5.70 per sq ft.
- Multi-unit discount: 10%+ off material when ordering 1,500+ sq ft, more for full apartment buildings.
See current pricing and SKUs at our Akron LVP showroom.
ROI per unit — the landlord math
A typical 900 sq ft unit fully re-floored in LVP runs $3,000–$5,000. We see landlords charge an extra $50–$100/month rent on a fully renovated unit with new LVP versus a tired carpeted unit. That is $600–$1,200 per year — a 2–4 year payback, then pure profit for another decade of floor life.
The harder-to-measure ROI: shorter vacancy windows. Units with LVP rent faster because photos look modern, showings smell clean (no carpet odor), and tenant prospects perceive the unit as upgraded.
Tenant turnover refresh — the 30-minute floor
This is the silent superpower of LVP. After a tenant moves out:
- Vacuum.
- Mop with vinyl-safe cleaner.
- Done. Floor looks new.
No shampooing, no extraction, no replacement. Average turnover floor labor: 30 minutes vs 4–6 hours for carpet that may or may not survive.
What about other floor types?
- Laminate — Cheaper than LVP up front, but swells with water. Hard pass for rentals.
- Tile — Bullet-proof but cold, expensive to install, and grout stains. Use it in bathrooms only.
- Hardwood — Beautiful but tenants destroy it. Reserve for owner-occupied properties.
- Sheet vinyl — Cheapest option but looks cheap. Investors only.
What about carpet?
One exception: bedrooms in higher-end rentals ($1,500+/month) where tenants expect carpet for warmth. We do berber loop or low-pile plush in those rooms only. Living areas, hallways, kitchens, baths — all LVP. See our carpet selection for those zones.
Our bulk landlord program
For investors with 5+ units, we offer:
- Volume pricing on SPC LVP (typically 10–18% off retail).
- Free or credited measurement service on multi-unit jobs.
- Direct delivery to your job sites in Summit, Stark, and Cuyahoga.
- Install scheduling that works around your turn calendar.
If you own rentals in Akron and you are still buying flooring from a big-box store one unit at a time, you are leaving 10–15% on the table.
Get Investor Pricing — Free Quote
Tell us how many units, we will quote you bulk.