In short: Excel Deco supplies and lays SPC flooring across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado at KSh 2,200 to 2,900 per sqm, with herringbone at KSh 2,799. Fitting is quoted after measuring and the showroom is at Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue.

Why the fitting matters more than the plank

Most SPC complaints we hear are not about the plank. They are about the floor under it. A dip in the screed makes the click joint flex every time you step on it. Over months that joint can open, lift or start to creak.

That is why our fitters spend real time on the base before a single plank goes down. They check the floor with a long straight edge, look for loose tiles and hollow spots. They also test for damp near outside walls and bathrooms. If the base is not right, we tell you what needs fixing first, instead of laying over a problem and leaving you with it.

SPC itself is a forgiving product. It is rigid, it does not mind water on top and it clicks together without glue. Read what SPC flooring is if you want the background. But it still needs a sound, flat floor. Get that right and the floor feels solid underfoot for years.

Can SPC go over your existing floor?

Often yes. That is one of the main reasons people choose it in Nairobi, where nobody wants to break up tiles in a finished flat.

• Ceramic and porcelain tiles: usually fine if they are firmly stuck and the grout lines are not deep. We tap each area to find hollow tiles. Our guide on laying SPC over tiles goes into detail.
• Cement screed: good once it is dry and smooth. Fresh screed in a new house needs time to dry out before we lay.
• Terrazzo: usually a good flat base in older houses in Parklands and South B.
• Old carpet or soft vinyl: these come up first. SPC should not float on a soft layer.
• Timber floors: possible if the boards are firm, but we inspect them closely.

Remember that a new floor raises the level a little. Doors may need trimming at the bottom so they swing freely. We point this out at the measuring visit so there are no surprises.

Preparing the room before we lay

Fitters work fastest in an empty room. Here is how to get ready.

1. Move furniture out or into one corner of a neighbouring room. Beds, wardrobes and sofas need to go.
2. Remove loose items from the floor, including rugs and cables.
3. Take up old carpet or soft vinyl if you agreed to do it yourself.
4. Let the boxes rest in the room. When we deliver early, keep the boxes flat in the room where the floor will go, not in a hot car or on a sunny balcony.
5. Agree on skirting. Tell us if you plan to keep your old skirting or want new trims.
6. Clear a cutting space on a balcony, corridor or parking spot. Cutting outside keeps dust out of the house.

If you are finishing a new house, plan the floor after painting. Paint drips on new SPC are a pain to clean. Our interior finishing checklist shows a sensible order.

How we lay SPC step by step

On the day, a typical job runs in this order.

1. Final check of the base. We sweep, look for high spots and grind or fill where needed.
2. Plan the layout. We decide which way the planks run, usually towards the main light source. Then we work out the first and last rows so neither ends up as a thin sliver.
3. Lay any underlay if your floor and plank need one.
4. Start the first row against a straight wall with spacers to leave an expansion gap at the edges.
5. Click each row in and stagger the end joints so they do not line up.
6. Cut around door frames and pipes neatly. Undercutting a door frame lets the plank slide under it for a clean finish.
7. Fit skirting and door trims to cover the gap at the edges.

Most bedrooms are laid in a day. A full two bedroom flat takes a few days, depending on how much base work is needed. For the full method, see SPC installation step by step.

Worked example: a 4 by 4 metre bedroom

Take a bedroom of 4 by 4 metres. That is 16 sqm. Here is the materials cost for each SPC option before cuts.

You also need a little extra for cuts and offcuts. The fitter confirms that figure after measuring. If your floor needs an underlay, a roll costs KSh 4,999. Fitting is quoted on WhatsApp once we have seen the room.

Herringbone looks beautiful but takes longer to lay, because every plank sits at an angle and the edges need more cutting. For box counts on bigger homes, use our guide on how many boxes of SPC you need. You can also shop the range on our SPC flooring page.

Problems we fix on Nairobi floors

• Uneven screed in new builds. Common in Syokimau, Kitengela and Ruiru estates. We grind high spots and fill low ones before laying.
• Hollow tiles. A loose tile under SPC can crack and rock. We find them by tapping and fix them first.
• Damp near outside walls. On ground floors we check for moisture along walls and doorways before we start.
• Doors that scrape. We warn you in advance when the new floor height means trimming a door.
• Gaps at the walls. These are left on purpose for movement. Skirting covers them so you never see them.
• Kitchens and bathrooms. SPC handles spills on top well. We seal the edges near wet areas with care. See is SPC flooring really waterproof for what that means in practice.

If you are unsure whether SPC suits a room at all, book a measuring visit and we will look at it with you.

Planning a whole flat or house

Flooring one bedroom is simple. Flooring a whole home takes a bit of planning. A good plan saves days.

Work room by room. We usually start at the far end of the house and work back towards the main door. That way furniture can move into finished rooms while we carry on elsewhere. If you are living in the house during the job, we agree which rooms stay usable each day.

Decide on the doorways. One floor running through every room looks calm and spacious. Where the floor changes, for example from SPC to carpet in a bedroom, we fit a trim at the doorway so the join is neat and safe to walk over.

Pick the plank direction once. Planks that run the same way through the living room and corridor make the space feel longer. Changing direction in every room looks busy.

Order everything at once. Buying all your SPC in one order keeps the colour consistent from room to room. Topping up later can give you a slightly different shade.

For a full house budget, our guide to the cost of flooring a 3 bedroom house works through the numbers.

Handover checks and caring for your SPC floor

Walk the whole floor before the fitter leaves. Look and listen for these things.

• No plank rocks or clicks when you step on it.
• End joints are staggered, not lined up like a ladder.
• Cuts at door frames are tight and neat.
• Skirting and trims cover every edge gap.
• Doors open and close without scraping.
• The floor has been swept and offcuts cleared.

Day to day, sweep or vacuum to remove grit, because Nairobi dust acts like sandpaper under shoes. Mop with a damp mop and mild soap. Put felt pads under chair legs and a door mat at every outside door. Wipe up standing water so it does not sit at the edges. That is all the care SPC needs.

Want to see it fitted before you buy?

Real jobs filmed on site by our team. Tap play and watch how the work is done.

Want the same in your space? Chat on WhatsApp

Questions buyers ask

How much does it cost to install SPC flooring in Nairobi?

Fitting is quoted after measuring and sent on WhatsApp. The flooring costs KSh 2,200 per sqm for 4mm, KSh 2,500 for 5mm and KSh 2,900 for 6mm.

Can SPC be laid over tiles?

Yes, in most cases. The tiles must be firmly stuck and reasonably flat, which we check by tapping and with a straight edge.

How long does SPC installation take?

Most bedrooms are laid in a day. A whole flat takes a few days, depending on how much the base needs fixing.

Do I need underlay under SPC?

It depends on the plank and the floor. The fitter advises at the measuring visit and an underlay roll costs KSh 4,999 if needed.

Will my doors need trimming?

Sometimes. A new floor raises the level slightly, so we check each door at the visit and tell you in advance.

Can I walk on SPC straight after it is laid?

Yes. SPC clicks together without glue, so you can walk on it and move furniture back once the fitter has finished.

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