My son, the painter, has a customer that asked him if he would like to install some laminate flooring for her in addition to repainting the whole condo ( new floor to be entire first floor of a condo) about 700 sq ft.
He asked me to price it for him since I have done a bunch of these w/ his help (but only for myself, or friends, and only single rooms). I measured it up for him, and gave him the qty list of flooring, 1/4 round, transitions etc.
Cust buying the flooring at HD herself (made by Dupont…. $3.97/sf) I have used Formica, Armstrong, Pergo, and Wilsonart……but not Dupont (any probs?????)
The job would include removing the carpet and pad from the living, and dining, and also removing the vinyl tile flooring and “luan” in the entryway, hall, kit, and den.
Looks like the kit, and adjoining den, have 2 layers of vinyl tile and also an added layer of 3/8 to 1/2 plywood under the “luan”.
So,….I’m thinking $3 to $4 per sf to install, but with the “demo”……depending on the PIA factor of the rip-out….
Any ideas?…….thanks guys.
Replies
There would be too many unanswered questions on the job for me. Is the vinyl edge glued or surface glued? Luan nailed, and glued, ring nails every 6sq inches? What exactly is the sub-floor? When demo is done, are the surfaces in line. Are you responsible for waste disposal, moving furniture, writing contracts. Does the painter have construction liability insurance. Which Dupont product, they make Formica. Sounds like you guys don't have much experience. None of us were born with it. I'd be very careful about detailing to the homeowner, in writing, that you won't know what can of worms may be hiding under the existing floors. You won't know until you get it opened up. Any job can turn into a nightmare if you go into it with a guess. Cover your butt, in writing. Did I mention putting it in writing? Leave no detail to word of mouth, not even the smallest. With any product, follow the manufacturers recommendations. Actually laying the floor is probably the least of your potential problems.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the responce. If I had a ton of experience, I would not be asking q's. Like I said, have done lots of individual rooms for myself, rentals, friends etc, but never a whole house. I know enough to have some concerns about the time it will take to demo the exist floor, and prep. I have already told the customer my concerns (most are the same as you mentioned) inc how the Luan is affixed to the sub floor. We will be doing some explatory surgery soon.
I can do transition strips at doorways, and she does not mind small elevation changes from one room to the next, but the entry/liv area is one large room with the vinyl having a 12' long, "wavy" curved 80's border against the carpet. The luan in the entry area will HAVE to come out, or we will have to lay luan in the rest of the living room to match the level.
Painter has ins. We will do contracts, not sure about waste disp.
I want to bid the "tear-out/floor leveling" etc on a T&M basis. But would like to quote a $$/sf for the new install. Any ideas?
It's always difficult to deal with a customer without giving a reasonable price. They want to know if they can afford the work, and if your quote is competitive. From the sound of what you have described, I don't think there is anything too complicated for an experienced person. There may be some hard work in the demo phase. The pace may be slow for someone who hasn't cut and placed many moldings, used floor leveler, or doesn't have the necessary tools. This may be the issue on this job, but I'm guessing from what you have said. There is the potential for many special issues but installers face this all the time and know how to get it done. You mentioned $3.97/SF, someone else said $3.50. If this is for labor only, I think that is way too high for a snap together plastic floor, plus demo, installing perimeter molding and dealing with any other issues. I haven't seen the job but 700 SF isn't much. Personally, $3/SF for the whole job, plus materials, would be good money for someone that knows what they are doing.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Personally, $3/SF for the whole job, plus materials, would be good money for someone that knows what they are doing.
Now that's funny ... if I don't know what I'm doing ... and charge $3.50 plus extra's ...
I'd be making more money than someone that does know what they're doing!
fine by me.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
some of those snap together plastic floors are a real PITA too...
Just did one a few weeks ago
H/O asks, hey we bought this sht at HD, can you put it in for us?
"Oh sure, no problem, how hard can it be"
glad the H/O wasn't there, think I invented a few new words...
We billed by the hour, but I think it worked out to about 5 bucks a sqft labor only
see ...
U knew even less and made way more!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
We get $3 a SF for laminate for install only. We get another 1-2 sf markup on the material and if there is a lot of special stuff in the demo or a lot of odd cabinets to trim around etc. the price goes up more. We have made as much as $8 sf total and as little as $4.50. Never made only 3. And the smaller the job the less inclined I would be to bring my sf price down. I usually make $2 a sf if I am subbing it. DanT
I don't know nothing about floors, but I would charge $6.00 / sq ft.
If you do the job for $3,50/SF and it takes you five days because you've never done it before, you make $490/day. If you do the job for $3/SF and it takes three days, you make $700/day. Is my math wrong? We used to frame for a developer. Our prices were lower than the competition but we always made more money than they did. It was our ability to get the job done efficiently. Because we were so fast, the carpenters made a higher hourly wage.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
"Which Dupont product, they make Formica. "Uh?Formica makes Formica.However, Formica sold there flooring product line to Shaw.
You're right, Bill. I was reading Formica and thinking Corian. Brain cramp.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
$3.50 a sq ft ... good starting point for a floater.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
one other thing to keep in mind:
I have only worked in a few condos, but often the sub floor is a real sketchy job cobbled together out of small chunks of OSB, and the carpet and padding is used to hide scary irregularities. I would want to know exactly what is under the carpet and if it is level enough for a level floor or if it needs lots of work...
Jeff
Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate all of your input. I normally only do work like this for myself, or friends (read..paid in brewskies)..... but am trying to help my son out on this one.
Based on your comments, looks like $3.50 to $4.00/sf (labor only) and charging extras for any demo beyond carpet/pad, or any floor "repairs" should put me in the ball park.
HO ordered the materials already (promo-20% off at HD last week) so no markup on that.
thanks again.....now where are those knee pads and advils?