1. Before you begin, ensure your subfloor is ready for install. The base floor should be clean, level and smooth. 

2. Remove the existing flooring, baseboards and molding. 

3. Check that the subfloor is solid, flat and clean. Fix concrete subfloors with a patching compound. For wood subfloors, remove protruding nails and replace any damaged boards. 

4. If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room with high humidity or moisture, such as a basement, lay down a vapour barrier before you install the flooring.

5. Lay out the unopened boxes of laminate planks in the room. This will allow them to acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity. They should acclimate for at least 48 hours.

6. For Slightly uneven floors, use a foam underlayment as the base for your laminate planks. If you determine you need to level the floor, sand the floor and apply a patching compound.

7. Some underlayment comes with an attached vapor barrier, eliminating the need to lay two separate products. This barrier will prevent moisture from seeping into the fiberboard of the flooring, which could cause it to warp over time.

8. remember to wear the appropriate safety gear as you work. wear eye protection and ear protection when cutting laminate planks and wear knee guards when laying the planks.