@yana wow you paid almost $6/SF for a vinyl that is only 7mm in total thickness? That's why it's best to shop around. Some stores gave me like $5.5/SF for the 8mm 20mil wear layer Medieval Floors Madrid lvp, when another Carpet One stores gave me like $5.50/SF for the Medieval Floors Super SPC Madrid 10mm total thickness 30mil wear layer lvp and we still shopping around as we have like 3,000.

The labour is going to be the biggest variant. Like real estate, it is all Location, Location, Location. What you pay in New Mexico is going to be VERY different then what you pay in New York. Access to cheap labour AND cheap housing (ie. the guy who you are paying has very low rent/mortgage costs) dictate LOW labour costs. In my neck of the woods (Hot Canadian Housing Market + High Canadian Minimum wage) the average cost of vinyl install (floating) is $3/sf. Laminate is still around $2.50/sf. The cost of vinyl for Canada is around $4 - $7/sf for medium level product. The $8/sf and higher is the best quality the market offers. Either way, you cannot find medium level (or higher) products at a Big Box store. Let us know where (roughly) you live and what stores/materials are you shopping.

You've ordered LVP = vinyl. Splinters should not ben an issue. Splinters traditionally come from wood. Scrapes are odd things to happen. It implies you dragged a refrigerator across the floor. the only thing that survives that (aesthetically...all floors will 'survive' you just won't be happy with the look) is porcelain tile. Can you be more specific with your concerns?

Do you mean the cabinet or a wood counter .I will say I do not like real wood next to fake but I need to see all your choices .If you must have wood stain then I would probably coose the darkest color from the flooring that will make the whole thing easier. Could you post pics of the cabinets appliances etc to give us some idea of your space.