Cost of laying an engineered wooden floor

[Cogcog]

Two questions if I may:

1) How much per sq meter could I expect to pay (labour only) to lay an engineered wood floatng floor in various rooms (200 sq meter plus) in a new build? Looks simple in the sense there isn't much to be cutting around and the place will be empty.

2) I assume they would cut the skirting and slide the floor under to create the expansion gap, as that seems to have happened in the plot next door?

[m4ckg]

£15 per metre would be about right, I think you'll find that the skirting boards were fittted on top of the flooring as its impossibe to slide the last board under the skirting board

[Blakeatron]

^^ Not imposible to get last board in without removing skirtings just a lot harder!

[Beardy10]

Blakeatron said:

^^ Not imposible to get last board in without removing skirtings just a lot harder!

Indeed...we have a floating engineered floor in our living room which has original Victorian woodwork. We had the floor cut underneath....it just means you have to find someone to do it properly and will probably cost more than £15 sq m. It looks miles better.

[m4ckg]

I can understand getting the first row in but the last row will not click in correctly !

[Speckle]

Depends on a couple of things. If the joints need glueing (ie. T&G engineered as opposed to 'click together) and if the floor needs a final sand and finishing onsite, I would expect to pay a professional floor layer £35 - £40 ex vat per metre (London prices so may be less 'oop North'). If it is pre-finished, under £30 ex vat.

With the skirting, it might be easier to take it off and re-fit over the expansion gap. Depends how securely it is fixed really. Undercutting is an option (as you have mentioned) but, is quite labour intensive and goes through alot of blades so, expect to pay £10 per linear metre for that aswell.

hth

ETA - you'd probably get a discounted fitting rate due to the large area

[Cogcog]

I used an old joiner last time at up t'north prices of £15 an hour. He took all week to do 35 meters of solid floor but he did a fantastic job.

Could be I use him again but don't want him there for the rest of his life.

[Speckle]

Personally, I would ask him to quote either for the whole job or give you a price per sqm (for exactly the reason you mention!)

[m4ckg]

Speckle said:

Depends on a couple of things. If the joints need glueing (ie. T&G engineered as opposed to 'click together) and if the floor needs a final sand and finishing onsite, I would expect to pay a professional floor layer £35 - £40 ex vat per metre (London prices so may be less 'oop North'). If it is pre-finished, under £30 ex vat.

With the skirting, it might be easier to take it off and re-fit over the expansion gap. Depends how securely it is fixed really. Undercutting is an option (as you have mentioned) but, is quite labour intensive and goes through alot of blades so, expect to pay £10 per linear metre for that aswell.

hth

ETA - you'd probably get a discounted fitting rate due to the large area

how would you close the joint if its glued and underneath the skirting board ? and how do you get the final piece in ? ( not being awkward just curious as a joiner ;-) )

[Beardy10]

m4ckg said:

I can understand getting the first row in but the last row will not click in correctly !

I don't know but I can assure you they did it.....we have a large living room with original floor to ceiling bay windows at each end....the floor has been cut in under both.

[Cogcog]

Tips on the place to buy 15mm engineered oak flooring with at least 4 mm of wood veneer would be appreciated. Ideally pre-sanded, fumed and waxed.

So far I am looking at British Hardwoods and Flooring Direct. I need about 300 sq meters.

[Whitey]

Cogcog, Speckle is your man, pm him to get in touch, I can personally recommend him as a supplier.

[Cogcog]

Whitey said:

Cogcog, Speckle is your man, pm him to get in touch, I can personally recommend him as a supplier.

Will do.

[Cogcog]

Got a quote to fit tioday from a guy who has fitted floors for a relative and the works looks good. Yorkshire price, labour only to fit 300 square meters is £2,580 ( £8.60p a meter). Developer allowed me £2500k towards flooring so pretty good match.