A bigger renovation raises a timing question most homeowners don't think about until it's too late: does the parquet stay in during the works, or come out first? Here's how to actually decide.
When a bigger renovation is planned — new kitchen, rewiring, replastering — existing parquet becomes a sequencing question that's easy to overlook. Protect it and work around it, or remove it and reinstall or refinish afterward? Getting this wrong is one of the more common (and avoidable) renovation regrets.
Here's a practical framework for making that call before other trades start work.
Other renovation trades — plumbers, electricians, painters, tilers — aren't focused on protecting your floor. Dropped tools, dragged materials, paint splatter, and general foot traffic from a construction crew are hard on any finish, and even harder on parquet that's already worn.
Protective covering (ram board, plywood sheets, or heavy-duty film) helps, but doesn't eliminate risk entirely — and covered floors can trap moisture or dust underneath if not managed properly during a longer renovation.
| Factor | Protect & Work Around | Remove, Reinstall/Refinish After |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower (protection materials only) | Higher (removal + reinstall labour) |
| Risk of damage during reno | Moderate, despite protection | None – floor isn't present |
| Best for | Floor already due for refinish anyway | Floor in excellent condition, high value |
| Timeline impact | Simpler, one less step | Adds project phases |
Flooring is typically scheduled as one of the last trades, whether the parquet was protected in place or reinstalled, since earlier trades pose the highest damage risk.
Whichever route you choose, schedule flooring work — whether refinishing in place or reinstalling — as one of the final steps in the renovation sequence, after all wet and dusty trades are complete.
How is parquet typically protected during a renovation? Common methods include ram board or heavy-duty protective sheeting taped down over the floor, sometimes with an additional layer of plywood in high-traffic work zones.
Can removed parquet be reinstalled in the same spot? In some cases yes, particularly with solid parquet blocks, though it depends on how carefully the pieces were removed and stored, and whether the subfloor condition has changed.
Does protecting the floor add much to the renovation cost? Protective materials are a relatively small cost compared to potential repair costs from unprotected damage — generally worth the investment on any active renovation site.
Planning a bigger renovation with existing parquet in place? Get advice before other trades start.
WhatsApp a Photo NowWhether protecting existing parquet through a renovation or refinishing afterward, we schedule around your other trades to avoid re-doing work.
View This Service →WhatsApp us a few photos and we'll tell you honestly what your floor needs — no obligation.
