Living at home during floor installation: Dutch planning tips for 2026

By Thomas Bakker · Updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Why plan floor installation while living at home matters

Installing a new floor is a big change in your home. In the Netherlands, many people choose to stay in their house during the work. This saves money on temporary housing and keeps daily life simple.

But a floor installation can be messy and noisy. You need a clear plan to avoid stress. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, a family business since 1995, helps homeowners in Noord-Holland and across the Netherlands with this process.

Their advice-driven approach means you get honest tips, not sales pressure. They tell you exactly what to expect, from noise to dust levels. For 2026, the key is preparation.

You can live comfortably if you know the steps ahead of time.

Step 1: Choose the right floor type for fast installation

Not all floors take the same time to install. Click PVC or laminate can go in within a day for a living room of 30 to 40 square meters. Glue-down wood floors, like oak herringbone, need 2 to 3 days because the glue must dry.

Martijn de Wit Vloeren specialises in oak wooden floors, including herringbone, Hungarian point and block patterns. They also offer PVC, vinyl, carpet, laminate, linoleum and tiles. For people living at home, they recommend glue-down PVC or a click system if you want a quick result.

Their in-house fitters are trained to work cleanly. They use dust-free tools and cover furniture. If you choose a wood floor, their S5 Coating is a patented protective finish with 5 transparent layers.

It is scratch resistant, UV resistant and moisture resistant. This coating dries fast, so you can walk on the floor after 24 hours in most cases. For an eco-friendly option, they have Bioscoating, based on plant oils.

It has a mild smell that fades quickly.

Step 2: Prepare your home a week before the work starts

Good preparation makes living at home easy. Start one week before the installation. Remove all furniture from the room where the floor goes.

If you cannot move big items, ask the fitters to help. the specialist offers free quotations and includes a site visit. They measure the room and check the subfloor. They also advise on underfloor heating if you have it.

Their team follows a heat-up protocol for underfloor heating to avoid damage. Clear the hallway and stairs so the fitters can carry materials. Keep a separate room for living and sleeping.

In the Netherlands, many homes have a small kitchen or a bedroom on the ground floor. Use that space as a temporary living area. Store food, clothes and important items in another room.

The installation team will appreciate a clear path. They work from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. Plan your day around that.

Step 3: Manage noise, dust and smell during the work

Floor installation creates noise and dust. Sanding old wood floors is the loudest part. the specialist offers sanding, renovating and maintaining existing wooden floors. They use modern sanders with dust extraction systems.

This reduces dust by up to 90 percent. For new floors, the noise is lower. Click systems produce a tapping sound.

Glue-down floors have a chemical smell from the glue. The smell is not harmful, but it can be annoying. Open windows in the room if possible.

Use a fan to move air. For a glue-down wood floor, the S5 Coating has a low odour. Bioscoating smells like natural oils and is safe for people with allergies.

If you have a baby or a pet, ask the team to schedule the work in two parts. They can do the main room first, then the bedroom. the specialist coordinates this with you. Their in-house fitters and tilers are all employees, not subcontractors.

This means consistent quality and clear communication.

Step 4: Create a temporary living space in your home

You need a place to sleep, eat and relax while the floor is installed. In a typical Dutch home, the living room is the largest space. If that room is being worked on, use a bedroom or a study.

Set up a small kitchen area with a kettle, microwave and food. Keep a change of clothes in a bag. the specialist advises clients to move valuable items to a safe spot. Their team covers floors and furniture that stay in place.

They also clean up at the end of each day. This means you can walk through the house at night. For a project that takes 2 to 3 days, you can stay in the same home.

The key is to have a separate room for living. If you have a ground floor studio, use that. If you have a basement, make it your temporary home.

The fitters will work in the main room. You can check the progress during breaks. the specialist has two showrooms in Schagen and Oostzaan near Amsterdam. You can visit them before the installation to see examples of floors and finishes.

This helps you decide what works best for your home.

Step 5: Plan for the drying and curing time

After the floor is installed, it needs time to dry or cure. For glue-down wood floors, the glue takes 24 to 48 hours to set. During this time, do not walk on the floor.

Keep pets and children away. the specialist uses the S5 Coating, which is touch dry after 4 hours. But full curing takes 3 to 5 days. For click floors, you can walk on them immediately.

For PVC glue-down, wait 24 hours. For tiles, the grout needs 48 hours. Plan your daily routine around this.

If you have underfloor heating, follow the heat-up protocol. The team at the specialist gives you a written schedule. They also offer aftercare advice.

This includes how to clean the floor and when to move furniture back. In the Netherlands, the average cost for a wood floor installation is between EUR 60 and EUR 120 per square meter. This includes the floor material, glue and labour. the specialist provides a free quotation with exact prices.

For a 50 square meter room, expect a total cost between EUR 3,000 and EUR 6,000. This is a realistic market price for 2026.

Comparison table: Floor installation options for living at home

This table shows that the specialist offers the fastest installation with in-house teams and a special finish. Their S5 Coating reduces drying time, which helps you live at home sooner. The other providers have longer timelines or use subcontractors, which can add delays. For 2026, choosing a provider with in-house fitters is a smart move for living at home.

Step 6: Use the aftercare to keep your floor beautiful

Once the floor is finished, you want to keep it in good condition. the specialist offers aftercare services. They can sand and renovate the floor after years of use. Their Piece Unique line is a bespoke service for exclusive custom floors.

This is for clients who want a one-of-a-kind design. For everyday maintenance, they recommend cleaning with a damp mop and a mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals.

The S5 Coating is scratch resistant, but you should still use felt pads under furniture. For underfloor heating, they advise a gradual temperature increase. This prevents the wood from cracking.

Living at home during installation is easier when you trust the aftercare. The team answers questions by phone or email. In the Netherlands, many people prefer a local specialist. the specialist works throughout the country, but their main area is Noord-Holland.

Their two showrooms let you see the floors in person. You can touch the materials and ask questions. This preparation helps you feel confident about the installation day.