|
The local handyman has finished painting the
outside of your house and finds time to sit and chat. He notices you
are leafing through flooring brochures and the discussion turns into
hardwood flooring.
Your eyes are bulging after
awhile when the discussion becomes more into look how much money I
can save by using the handyman for the floor installation.
Think Twice...and More!
Let's see if the handyman can answer these basic
questions about hardwood floors.
| |
| • Have all other work completed first |
| •
Floor Preparation. What's that? |
| • We can start tomorrow |
| • It doesn't matter |
| • Moisture testing? I don't see any
leaks |
| • Manufacturer specifications? |
Have All Other Work Completed First
If you're planning on having
other work done in the home, especially in the work area where the
floors will go, please have it completed before the hardwood
flooring. The drywall mud picture (right) is a classic
example of how many other contractors don't care.
We had
racked out most of an area that was to be nailed the next day.
Low and behold a sloppy drywall dude comes in when we're not
there creating a nightmarish mess that took us a few hours to
clean up. Another example
of poor scheduling is the drywall mud bucket picture on the
right. Different job but similar mentality of some builders. They
actually wanted the floor installed in that room that day!
Folks keep on top of your builders if possible. Too many care
about one thing only, getting the job done. Hardwood
flooring work should be done after the completion of all other
major work. Far too many times we've seen poor scheduling that
inevitably results in damage to brand new floors.
Floor Preparation. What's
That? The handyman will
probably say "broom swept concrete," while the experienced hardwood
guy recommends work on the subfloor because it isn't flat. Mr.
Handyman isn't charging me anything for floor preparation but the
hardwood guy wants $ 400.00! Thoughts enter your mind. For that kind
of money I can play two rounds of golf at Pelicans Nest and have
dinner for four at Outback Steakhouse.
We Can Start Tomorrow
You have guests coming for two weeks and the mad
rush is on to get your condominium in tip top shape, but the
hardwood guy can't start the job for three weeks. The handyman
suggests starting the day you buy the hardwood while the hardwood
guy says the job has to
acclimate.
It Doesn't Matter
You're torn between which job to do first. On one
hand you want to get the hardwood floor floor done first and the
travertine kitchen can be done later. You
figure living without a kitchen floor will be okay because you'll be
checking out all the cool restaurants at Coconut Point while Bob and Mary are
visiting. Both the hardwood
guy and the tile man insist the travertine be done first and the
handyman says it doesn't matter. What he fails to realize is what
happens if the new floor gets wet. Tile and stone setters use an
enormous amount of water during their work which is unfriendly for hardwood floors.
Moisture Testing? I Don't
See any Leaks The
handyman says the job is ready and there are no apparent leaks in the
concrete and everything is dry.
Manufacturer Recommendations/Specifications?
Mr. Handyman is sipping a cup of coffee reading
the News Press sports page while you ask. "How do we take care of
our floors when you're done?" Often misinformed people will say
Murphy's Oil Soap is best for hardwood floors.
On the other hand the hardwood guy says," let's
see what the manufacturer recommends.
|
