Not many of those around anymore but first you need to figure out what flooring you want wood or LVP two very different choices . Are doing the whole house in this new flooring or just the kitchen? IMO if just the kitchen then what flooring is in the rest of the house . We need more info. I have bought flooring from big box stores and have had good luck but I aslo have done my own install and know what I want before going shopping. My advice find a flooring store in your area and ask many questions about warranties , installers etc if they answer these questions for your satisfaction get the flooring there .If you have a designer doing the kitchen they are the ones to ask who they use .

I wouldn't say I am in a huge metro area and I was able to visit several local family owned flooring stores when I was looking for engineered wood floors for my new build in 2021. They sold and installed the product, which is what you want, so the one company will be responsible if there are any issues after installation.

Same here. Huge metro area (Long Island), with a plethora of locally owned lumber yards, and flooring stores.

We got our site finished, white oak floors at Riverhead Building Supply…a small local chain. Great service. Knowledgeable staff. Ordered through our GC.

Great points! I would recommend visiting local specialty flooring stores with strong customer reviews.

With so many LVP brands and options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A good rule of thumb is to choose a product with at least 5mm thickness. If budget allows, opting for 7-8mm WPC provides additional comfort and a lighter weight, enhancing the overall feel and ease of installation. For long-term durability, a 20mil commercial-grade wear layer is a valuable feature that adds resilience against everyday wear and tear.

Selecting a wood floor, whether solid or engineered, truly benefits from the expertise of a wood flooring professional who can guide you toward the ideal product for your application and design needs. Since wood is a natural material, there are many factors to consider and manage, such as:

• Prefinished or unfinished options
• Solid or engineered structure
• Board width and thickness
• Wood grade: select, character, or rustic
• Wear layer thickness (for engineered options)
• Surface texture: smooth or wire-brushed
• Gloss level: matte, satin, or semi-gloss
• Wood species and grain preference
• Type of subfloor
• Recommended installation method

A skilled wood flooring professional can lead you through each step, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision and requirements for a perfect finish.

When searching for the home that I recently purchased, I would not consider any home with LVP. It looks, smells, and feels like plastic. I have not been impressed with its longevity in the homes that I have seen it in. In addition, you are further supporting the petrochemical industry that has inundated the planet with plastic trash and takes no responsibility for cleaning it up, in addition to the pollution and garbage that comes with drilling for oil and turning it into plastic..