I had sheet marmoleum in my Hampton’s house. Love that product and I really miss that kitchen!

thank you, @SJ McCarthy and @Babs Fla I appreciate your strong endorsement of the sheet product. I don't begrudge labor costs and you make good points. We have been in touch with a professional, but were a little "floored" by the estimate. Glad to know it's what one expects.

One of the things you can do to 'clarify' the quote is to ask if it INCLUDES subfloor preparation. Ask what is "wrapped up" in that quote. You might just find they INCLUDED a $2/sf 'estimate' to prepare the subfloor.

What is your current floor? How much WORK is supposed to go into the quote?

Are they removing the current floor? Are they PREPARING the subfloor? What type of subfloor are you working with (concrete or plywood)?

The 'labour' quote might have MANY things 'inside' the number. Can you offer some insight as to how much the labour cost is? How about the square footage? We can let you know how it compares to 'industry standards' for the project.

First: ask more questions. Get an idea of WHAT is included in that hefty labour quote. You might just find they do EVERYTHING inside that number. Or, conversely, they do NOTHING extra...

I have to agree with the above. Don't do as I did (and I have the glue-down tiles, not even sheet) and simply believe your GC when he says his flooring guy can do it with no problem. Learn from my mistake!

We installed Marmoleum tiles ourselves because there was no certified installer in our area. Rented a heavy roller tool from the local equipment rental place.

My grandmother put marmoleum in in her working farmhouse (600 acres of mixed use land, farm hands eating every meal in the kitchen, all the baked goods and jellies for the farmstand, dozens of loaves of bread a week, eventually became BNB) Installed in the fifties, it looked brand new until she sold in the 2000s.

@SJ McCarthy we had the previous flooring removed and new plywood added. There will be another plywood subfloor added which the installers quoted separately. Less than 100 square feet, we got quotes for $1200 and $1600 for installation only.

I've lived in homes with 50 year old sheet linoleum. The stuff is tough. And it's what I put in my recent kitchen remodel.

It's not completely seamless, though. Marmoleum comes in rolls that are, I think, 6'7" wide which can result in seams depending on your layout. But the marbled pattern of the material does a pretty good job of camouflaging (I have one seam in my kitchen).

@Anna (6B/7A in MD) I'm impressed that you did it yourself. I guess I should be grateful that we have Forbo experts fairly close by. We're in central Massachusetts and although there isn't anyone very close by, there are 2 closer to Boston that we are considering.

@cawaps they did show us where the seam would be. Good to know it isn't too noticeable. I like the color "concrete" (not a very inspiring name), but I think it would work in our kitchen.

@Marilyn Butler You might be seeing a "job minimum" . This happens when the square footage is too small for them to make money. They are quoting prices that I would see for ceramic tile install. For resilient flooring it is what I would expect to see = $12/sf.

Cork glue down tiles would see the same number per square foot. I'm not gasping for breath. Which means it is in the expensive range but not obscene.

@SJ McCarthy we are going for it! we ordered sheet marmoleum last night. I'm so happy! Thanks for the information and perspective. Will post photos once it's in.

Woo hoo!

=:)

Yay! You won't regret it! So glad we could offer some perspective! I hope everything goes according to plan!

Flooring is in and we are very pleased! Thanks, everyone for your comments. especially @SJ McCarthy

It looks great. I especially love that it's naturally anti-microbial, particularly against MRSA and C-diff since I work with such patients.

OOOOOOOO....Love the colour. It is cool with just enough warmth to compliment the cabinets. Nicely coordinated! Looks so sharp! Thank you for sharing. It's so nice to see a completed project.

Good for you!

Love it! Very happy for you....great decision.

@Marilyn Butler hi! how is your floor doing? This thread was very encourging as I’m trying to convince SO that marmoleum is a realistic option

I love it. It‘s easy to clean and looks great. @Jacqueline Amidala

@Marilyn Butler, I'm also considering sheet marmoleum in my kitchen so I'm really glad to read that you were still happy with your floor some time later. Several questions:

1. Did you have the marmoleum installed under your cabinets, or just install up to the edge of the cabinets?
2. Did you install with adhesives or was it a looselay installation?
3. Have you moved your fridge or stove over the marmoleum since the install? And if so, how did the marmoleum do with that?
4. We have a cat too. I was considering cork before, but read that some cats damage cork floors with their claws when they tear around at high speeds (as our does). And I'm a bit worried about inevitable accidents (urine, throw-up, etc.) on the marmoleum and how the floor would do if you don't see the problem for awhile (e.g. overnight). Just wondering how well this floor does with cats?

Thank you!

@evelynsmom I highly recommend marmoleum. We’ve had it over a year and love it. The installation is not something you could do yourself. It has to be glued down and its quite a process. The installer had equipment for heating the glue and attaching it to the floor. The refrigerator and stove were out, but he installad up to the edge of the cabinets. I guess it would have been ideal to do the floor before the cabinets went in, but it is is fine. Our cat has no interest in scratching it. It’s tight to the floor and the surface us smooth. Good luck with your project.

Thank you, @Marilyn Butler! Oh, I would definitely not attempt this myself :D Thank you for explaining how yours was installed. I am a bit worried about potential damage to the marmoleum during cabinet installation so if your installer was able to work around the cabinets, that sounds like a good idea for us, too.

Have you ever pulled out your fridge or stove since the installation (e.g. to clean behind them or to get something that has fallen behind), and if so, did the floor do okay with the appliances being pulled across the marmoleum?

Thanks!

@evelynsmom there isn’t even a dent or impression where the appliances stand and they are easy to move. It’s pretty tough stuf! :)

@Marilyn Butler The kitchen is lovely and the floor looks great! What can you tell me about your cabinets (maker, wood, finish)? Thanks.

@Marilyn Butler, that is great that you have no dents or impressions under your appliances! I'm happy for you, and you are really setting my mind at ease about trying Marmoleum too. Thank you :)

@hhireno It’s nice to hear that you like our kitchen! They are Brighton cabinets in maple with Natural and Downy. Thanks!

@hhireno this shows the upper cabinets