Replies

1. 
   savvy | Oct 26, 2007 03:53am | #1

   I would say do the flooring last.Complete all your work,do a cleanup & then let your flooring guys in. The exception would be for tile & base, if there will be tile, I would postpone base molding and then set the base on top of the tile.I would not run my tile into existing base if possible.Just my Opinion

   I have seen portable heaters(propane),or perhaps 1 or 2 of those cheap electric portable ones
   Todd

2. 
   JerryHill | Oct 26, 2007 05:05am | #2

   Remind the HVAC Contractor who is in charge..........you need this in order for the hardwood to acclimate.......cover the returns with filters and run only as needed.I'm sure he'll lay the ol' void the warranty deal on you but with a litte care and common sense this shouldn't be an issue........been there done that.Dont use stand alone heaters(gas) in the house at this point........way too much moisture will be dumped into the structure with nowhere to go.

   
   

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   Edited 10/25/2007 10:14 pm ET by JerryHill

3. 
   harryv | Oct 26, 2007 06:20am | #3

   I agree with Jerry Hill. You need the heat on for the hardwood. Our install order is as follows, all hard surface floorings, doors & millwork, paint millwork, mechanical trims, glass & mirrors, carpet last. I've installed prefinished hardwoods just before carpet. Millwork gets installed first, painted, then hardwoods. Then you apply base shoe to cover any small gaps. You also have to build up your cabinets on 3/4" sleepers. I never liked this method because of the chance of damaging the finished millwork, but it can be a time saver. I like to install the hardwood first. Set your cabinets on them prior to sanding and first coat. Sand and first coat on a Friday. Vinyl/tile starts on Monday, with door and millwork install beginning the following Monday. Final coat on the hardwood after carpet. A lot of the sequencing is dependent on how well your trades will work with one another also.

   Just my two cents worth,

   HV

1. 
   Sunburst | Oct 26, 2007 02:24pm | #4

   Thanks, I'm going to get the heat on. I like the filters over the air returns idea, I'll try that.

1. 
   runnerguy | Oct 26, 2007 04:55pm | #5

   I did that. I bought some filters a few inches bigger then the return opening and thumbtacked them to the drywall. Worked great.

   Runnerguy

2. 
   harryv | Oct 27, 2007 06:21am | #6

   I've been able to buy the filter material by the foot from our local hardware store and tape it up inside the cold air return. This keeps it out of the way of the tapers. Don't forget to paint the inside of those cold air returns flat black. It looks much nicer than looking up at that cold galvinized metal.

   HV

4. 
   Matt | Oct 27, 2007 04:56pm | #7

   Are these hardwood floors prefinished or site finish?

1. 
   Sunburst | Oct 28, 2007 08:15pm | #8

   The floor will be sanded and finished. I plan to do this after the other floors are in, fixtures set, kitchen cabinets in. I think I'll just cut the base for the wood floor outside and trim it after its been finished.

1. 
   Matt | Oct 28, 2007 10:03pm | #9

   This is how I schedule the construction of homes...

   Sheetrock & backer boardcabinets (if HW floor in kitchen, 3/4" spacers installed under base cabinets)Counter tops and Site finish hardwood floors installed        (or you can put the HW floors in before the cabs but it can be more expensive)Trim except shoe moldprime and first coat of paintsheetrock point-upFirst cleanmore painttile, vinyl floors, etcexterior locks (may be temporaries) to keep appliances from being stolenPlumb trim including dishwasher and disposal, HVAC trimouts bath glassElectrical trim, installed appliances, and low voltage trimoutelectricity and heat onfirst sand HW floorsinterior hardware and shoe mold2nd point of sheetrockcarpetFinal sand and finish of HW floorspainted shoe mold if any in HW areasCheck sheetrock and point up if necessary paint finalrange, fridge, etcfinal clean & final punch work

   Some things can be moved around a bit some can't - for example, finished floors must be in the baths before the plumbing trim.  HVAC trim must be before electrical trim, etc, etc. I might have left out something.