New build - Choosing the flooring - Use developer or other?
Discussion
Thoughts / opinions / recommendations please 
I've reserved a plot on a new build - My first property purchase.
The apartment doesn't come with flooring and I have an appointment with Choices on Friday to choose which kitchen and bathroom suite I want.
Whilst I'm there they will talk to me about the flooring. I really want a good quality wood flooring in the corridor and living living-room and carpet in the bedroom.
Will I get raped from these people or should I consider buying it elsewhere?
Being a first time buyer my budget is very tight. I don't mind paying good money but I'd like value for money.
Any tips on what wood flooring I should consider and any which I should stay away from.
Thank you
I've reserved a plot on a new build - My first property purchase.
The apartment doesn't come with flooring and I have an appointment with Choices on Friday to choose which kitchen and bathroom suite I want.
Whilst I'm there they will talk to me about the flooring. I really want a good quality wood flooring in the corridor and living living-room and carpet in the bedroom.
Will I get raped from these people or should I consider buying it elsewhere?
Being a first time buyer my budget is very tight. I don't mind paying good money but I'd like value for money.
Any tips on what wood flooring I should consider and any which I should stay away from.
Thank you
I have attended many management meetings where issues have been caused by a purchasers own fitters, we always made purchasers sign a disclaimer if they were using their own people.
Some developers add margin to floor coverings and some don't so you will need to compare prices.
If the developers does something along the lines of the stuff you want, then I would go with that just to save hassle. Some developers may also not allow you to install your own coverings before legal completion
Some developers add margin to floor coverings and some don't so you will need to compare prices.
If the developers does something along the lines of the stuff you want, then I would go with that just to save hassle. Some developers may also not allow you to install your own coverings before legal completion
Diablos-666 said:
Yes I understand that, I also get it tax free if I go with them. I still feel that it'll be more expensive to use them though.
Do you think it's worth the peace of mind to just pay the extra?
A flooring company will also be able to do you a deal VAT free if it is fitted before the house / flat is finished. We used the builder for one area where the flooring was being upgraded from what was included with the house and an independent elsewhere.Do you think it's worth the peace of mind to just pay the extra?
Ben
Based on my own recent experiences with wood floor (not at the fitting stage yet).
- Choose a good quality underlay which provides sound insulation (based on you being in an apartment)
- Engineered wood may be more appropriate than solid wood, the thicker the better, but more expensive.
- Make sure they install the wood floor BEFORE the skirting boards to avoid having the 'scotia' beading around the edge to hide the gap
I've done a bit of research and it seems I could buy the wood flooring for around £15-25 sq.m (depending on what wood)
It would cost around £30sq.m to install. That's a cost from a mate of mine.
My total area is under 48sq.m
So I'm looking at a cost of around £2160-£2640 if I get it done privately. I guess that his doesn't include chipboard either which will need to go down on the concrete floor first.
Does that sound about right? It's a bit more than I hoped it would be, I can only guess that the builders price will be even more
It would cost around £30sq.m to install. That's a cost from a mate of mine.
My total area is under 48sq.m
So I'm looking at a cost of around £2160-£2640 if I get it done privately. I guess that his doesn't include chipboard either which will need to go down on the concrete floor first.
Does that sound about right? It's a bit more than I hoped it would be, I can only guess that the builders price will be even more
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you are doing the flooring after the developer has finished, you'll have to either:
- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
monthefish said:
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you are doing the flooring after the developer has finished, you'll have to either:
- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
Unless its a high end developer they will have their flooring contractor in after the skirting boards are fitted so you have the same problem- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
BigBen said:
monthefish said:
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you are doing the flooring after the developer has finished, you'll have to either:
- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
Unless its a high end developer they will have their flooring contractor in after the skirting boards are fitted so you have the same problem- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
monthefish said:
BigBen said:
monthefish said:
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you are doing the flooring after the developer has finished, you'll have to either:
- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
Unless its a high end developer they will have their flooring contractor in after the skirting boards are fitted so you have the same problem- take off the skirting boards (and probably door facings as well) to lay the flooring and then refit them afterwards (this is extra hassle/cost and the finish won't be as good second time round)
-or-
- Floor up to the skirting boards and fit a finishing strip to cover the expansion gap (this always looks terrible)
Neither of these options sit very well with me, and for this reason I'd want them doing the flooring.
We bought a Taylor Wimpey new build a couple of years ago and the best thing we did was get a professional flooring company in. Since we've been here a while now we've been able to compare with the neighbours and their flooring was absolute tat. Cost wise it was similar but quality is significantly better in ours.
As a direct comparison they did do our bathrooms as it was included in the cost and we had to have it redone twice as they didnt have a clue on how to fit karndean yet had it as an option.
As a direct comparison they did do our bathrooms as it was included in the cost and we had to have it redone twice as they didnt have a clue on how to fit karndean yet had it as an option.
blueg33 said:
BigBen said:
Unless its a high end developer they will have their flooring contractor in after the skirting boards are fitted so you have the same problem
No that is just timing.Leave it too late and the developer will finish the unit, whether high end or not.
blueg33 said:
Still probably a timing thing, I have worked for high and low end dervelopers. Generally you won't leave a plot unfinished, so if there is no reservation or exchange then the skirtings get fitted. A poor site manager can stuff it up though.
I am fairly sure it was timing as you say, prior to the house I am in now I knew more or less nothing about flooring. If I buy another new build in future I will know what to ask for / make sure they do.BigBen said:
Unless its a high end developer they will have their flooring contractor in after the skirting boards are fitted so you have the same problem
blueg33 said:
No that is just timing.
BigBen said:
Well my experience with Taylor Wimpy was they used an external contractor for the flooring who they did not get in until after the skirting boards were fitted.
blueg33 said:
Still probably a timing thing
BigBen said:
I am fairly sure it was timing as you say,
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff