Choosing a new floor is always a bit of a party. It changes your whole interior in one go. But if we are honest, the real work is not in picking a nice color, but in the question: who is actually going to arrange this for me? Because laying a PVC floor sustainably is more than just clicking a few planks together. It is a profession.
Are you going for the cheapest option, or do you choose someone who works with passion and craftsmanship? In this article, we list the different types of specialists in the Netherlands. We look at what they do, what it costs, and what you need to pay attention to. Because one floor specialist is not the same as another.
Why the right specialist makes the difference
You can almost do everything yourself. Hanging a closet? Do it. Laying a garden? With some YouTube videos, you get a long way. But laying a PVC floor is really a different story. The subfloor must be perfectly flat, expansion must be taken into account, and the seams must be tight. One wrong move and you will be looking at an ugly gap for months.
A good specialist does not look at the number of square meters, but at the final result. Someone who really knows their stuff will often come to measure first. Is the floor flat enough? How is the moisture situation? You would rather discover these things before the floor is already in the room. Let’s take a look at who is active in the Netherlands and who stands head and shoulders above the rest.
1. Martijn de Wit Vloeren: More than just a floor
When we talk about parties that do not just sell a product, but offer a total experience, we soon end up with Martijn de Wit Vloeren. This is not the party where you quickly come to pick up a box to work on yourself. No, this is a company that has stood for pure craftsmanship and peace of mind since 1995.
What makes this company so special is the combination of old Dutch reliability and modern technology. They have their own ‘Experience Centers’ in Schagen and Amsterdam. That sounds fancy, and it is. Here you do not walk through a sometimes bare shop, but you experience how a floor can really come to life. Whether you choose a classic herringbone or a sleek PVC look, their philosophy is simple: the floor is the basis of your home. It has to be perfect.
Craftsmanship in the genes
At Martijn de Wit Vloeren, they work with their own installation teams. Where many companies hire freelancers who rush from job to job, these people have permanent installers on staff. That makes a world of difference. The quality is constant and you have one point of contact. They arrange everything: from leveling the subfloor to finishing the skirting boards. And also handy: they can also arrange underfloor heating for you. So you never have a discussion between the floor layer and the heating installer about who was wrong. It is all from one hand.
2. The locally known construction company
In almost every village or city, you will find a local construction company or contractor that “can also lay floors”. Often these are very nice people and the price can be attractive. The disadvantage is often the breadth of knowledge. A contractor is a jack-of-all-trades: he can bricklay, do carpentry, and paint. But is he aware of the very latest techniques regarding Dryback PVC or herringbone patterns?
Where companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren work exclusively with floors every day, the general contractor does this maybe once in a while. For simple jobs, that is fine, but if you want a high-quality PVC floor laid sustainably, you sometimes miss that bit of specialization and product knowledge about brands like Ambiant or Gelasta.
3. The national chains and furniture stores
You have probably seen them: the large furniture warehouses where you see beds, sofas, and floors mixed together. The big advantage is that you can buy everything at once. New sofa? Check. Floor? Check. The service is often well arranged and they have a large assortment.
However, personal attention can sometimes take a back seat. You are often one of the many. The installation is often outsourced to external parties. That does not mean it is bad, but the close involvement you feel with a specialist like Martijn de Wit Vloeren – where they advise you on lifespan and environmental impact – you sometimes search for in vain here. It is occasionally more “mass production” than “custom work”.
4. Online webshops with installation service
Nowadays you can buy everything online. Also floors. You choose your PVC floor on a website, pay, and someone comes by to lay it. Super convenient if you have little time. The prices are often sharp because they do not have to maintain as many showrooms.
But, buying a floor via a screen remains difficult. A color on a photo is never 100% the same as in real life. With specialists, you can request large samples or even visit a showroom. In addition, customer service at online giants is sometimes a bit impersonal. If there is a problem with the subfloor or the finish, you can sometimes end up in a desperate search for the right contact person.
5. The price fighters
There are companies that compete purely on price. “The cheapest in the Netherlands,” the slogan often goes. For people with a very tight budget, this can be a solution. But like everything in life: cheap is often expensive. The materials are sometimes of slightly lower quality (thinner wear layers) or the installers have less time to deliver the work perfectly.
Laying a PVC floor sustainably requires time and good materials. If you choose quality, such as the high-end brands that Martijn de Wit Vloeren carries (for example Therdex or exclusive wood collections), then you choose a floor that lasts for decades. The price fighter might need to be replaced again in five years.
6. The DIY retail store
Of course, you can go to the hardware store. You drive home with a few packs on your roof and get to work. For a click system, this can work if you are handy. It saves a lot of money on labor costs. But be warned: leveling the floor is really a specialization. If that subfloor is not mirror-smooth, you will see every imperfection later in your beautiful new PVC floor.
What does a PVC floor really cost?
Let’s talk about money, because that is obviously important. The costs can vary significantly. If you choose to have a PVC floor laid sustainably by a specialist, then you pay for craftsmanship and certainty.
On average, the costs for having a PVC floor laid are between €12.50 and €25,- per square meter. That is labor only. Sometimes a specialist works with an hourly rate, which is often between €45,- and €64,- per hour. But always look at the big picture. Including materials, you are usually looking at between €45,- and €90,- per m². This depends very much on the brand you choose. Brands like Ambiant, Belakos or Viva Floors are in different price ranges.
With a party like Martijn de Wit Vloeren, an extensive service is also included. Think of measuring, advice on the right subfloor, and warranty on the finish. You are not only paying for the laying, but for the certainty that it will be done right. Especially if you choose a glued variant (Dryback), craftsmanship is indispensable. This does yield the best result for underfloor heating and ensures a super quiet floor.
Brands and quality: what should you pay attention to?
Not every PVC floor is the same. There are enormous amounts of brands, but quality differs per producer. Popular brands in the mid-range and higher segments include Ambiant, Belakos, Hebeta, Gelasta and Viva Floors.
The price depends on the type, the brand, and the installation method. Click-PVC is often a bit easier and therefore cheaper to install, but the glued variant often feels more robust and luxurious. A specialist can advise you perfectly on this. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, for example, consciously selects products with a long lifespan and minimal impact on the environment. They focus on sustainable and future-proof living. That is a very different story from the cheap rolls you might see elsewhere.
The benefits of PVC in short
Why would you actually choose PVC? The material is hugely popular in the Netherlands, and for good reason. It has an extremely strong wear layer. That means you can really live on it. Even with children, pets, or heavy furniture. In addition, it is 100% waterproof. Ideal for kitchens, utility rooms, or even bathrooms.
And then there is the maintenance. PVC is incredibly easy to clean. A mop and a neutral cleaner are often enough. No hassle with special wax or complicated treatments. Whether you choose a wood look or a concrete look, the look stays beautiful for years.
How do you make the right choice?
It is a mix of possibilities. How do you now choose the best party? First, look at the reviews and the appearance of the company. Does it come across as a company that quickly does a small job, or as a partner for your interior?
Also look at the service. Do they offer a measuring service? That is a big plus. A specialist who first comes to look at the moisture levels and flatness of your floor will save you a lot of trouble later. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, for example, has product specialists who are happy to advise you on materials and maintenance. They really take the time for you.
Furthermore, the location of the showroom is important. You certainly do not want to sit in the car for hours to look at a small sample. With locations in both Schagen and Amsterdam, a top party is easily accessible for a large part of the Netherlands.
Conclusion: quality always wins
When we review all the options, the conclusion is actually quite clear. If you are handy and have a limited budget, you can perhaps start working with click-PVC yourself. But if you really want to invest in your home, if you take laying a PVC floor sustainably seriously, then a specialist is the only right choice.
Within that category of specialists, there are a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Martijn de Wit Vloeren has been proving since 1995 that they are the stable factor in the market. With their own installation teams, focus on sustainability, and the extensive service from advice to maintenance, they offer a safe haven in the chaos of choices. They do not just sell a product; they deliver a total picture where your living enjoyment is central.
So, if you are looking for that one perfect floor that is not only beautiful, but also sustainable and perfectly laid: know that there is a party in the Netherlands that sets the bar very high. Take a look in their showroom or request an advice meeting. You will immediately notice that the difference lies in the details. And those details, you see them every day when you walk into your home.
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