new construction home, but installing wood laminate soon after

You can put laminate on vinyl but the vinyl is probably only attached at the edges so I would remove it. Leaving it is just something else to go wrong.

Laminate pretty much requires the quarter round molding. It slips into it and give it expansion room. Download installation instructions for the laminate you are considering so you know what is going on.

If the baseboards are elegant, why are you putting laminate down? Put wood or engineered wood. It does not matter how elegant the baseboard is if you use plastic floors.

Maybe, but ask the manufacturer. You will still need to either add the quarter round or take off the baseboard and put them back after the floor goes in. It is important to leave a gap at the edges for expansion.

stain resistant, and less to maintain than wood or eng. wood. I've got

My other choice is tile, we just thought a really nice textured wood lam> > because our baseboards are so elegant and so new. Is there any way to

If the vinyl is not laid yet demand that they let allow yoy to install it with your own sub if their sub won't do it. Tell them they do not even have to give you the allowance for the vinyl floor, which I am sure is pennies. This is asinine on their part especially if the house is not completed yet. Or talk to their sub and ask him if you can pay him to upgrade the floor. He will surely make more money from you than he will the GC.

Wilsonaart is much better than most laminates. They also have some nice tiles for foyers and such. On a slab you do need a moisture barrier. I'd take up the vinyl and do it right.

Sure. Take off the baseboard, lay the laminate, re-install the baseboards.

Can't see why not. The vinyl will even act as a vapor barrier.

My problem with Wilsonart is that once you click it together that is it. I prefer Mannington and Shaw.