need a few easy answers from you boys

savingmummy

Next year we are moving into a 3 bed house and i am going to want laminate flooring downstairs (lower hall and lounge). I have no idea how much approx i will need for this so am looking for ROUGH approximates of how much this may cost us (hard without approx measurements i know BUT lol!). I have been advised by so many people to buy the laminate, then get someone to fit it but we don`t know anyone handy and are not DIYers so will be getting it from a shop more then likely so am just trying to prepare myself hence why i`ve asked.

Also i am hoping to have a new fireplace, would it be cheaper for me to get the fireplace and get someone professional in to do it? or go to a specialised place and buy it and get it fitted from them in one shot?

I have a feeling i`m going to need a lot of help in the future I honestly have no clue on D.I.Y.

Thanks in advance peeps

S x

Bikertov

What is your budget ?

There are plenty of wood floor specialist around who can supply and fit - as a guide you can pay around £15 - 20 /m2 for a good ENGINEERED wood floor, and around £10 /m2 to fit it.

Engineered is so much beter than laminate, IMHO, and can cost more - but there are also expensive laminates that cost as much as real wood !

ormus

you can DIY it for about 100/150 quid per room.
last i heard the trade were charging about 600 per room to fit an average laminate floor.

tomfun

£600 per room ,i wish ,that must be one big room (i`d do a football pitch for that ) , if you take an average sized living room 4x4 m ,i`d look to charge £100 if the room was empty,i`d add £10-£20 to fit the edging strip if required.

bundly

Well I have JUST had my conservatory done. It's 10ft 6 by 8ft.

I bought the laminate online for £135 including scotia and underlay, then paid a local flooring fitter £120 to lay it. So, total cost £255.

It looks fantastic! I am now about to order the same for the living room.

savingmummy

Wow i didnt realise it would be do reasonable!!
Budget is pretty easy going as we are throwing everything into our savings right now so will have approx 1k-2k - so some over for decorating hopefully.

Engineered wood flooring i will defo look into thanks.

Thanks all xx

ormus

tomfun wrote: »

£600 per room ,i wish ,that must be one big room (i`d do a football pitch for that ) , if you take an average sized living room 4x4 m ,i`d look to charge £100 if the room was empty,i`d add £10-£20 to fit the edging strip if required.

the 600 quid, is supply and fit, of course.

Bikertov

savingmummy wrote: »

Wow i didnt realise it would be do reasonable!!
Budget is pretty easy going as we are throwing everything into our savings right now so will have approx 1k-2k - so some over for decorating hopefully.

Engineered wood flooring i will defo look into thanks.

Thanks all xx

Well worth looking at Engineered. It looks so much better than most laminates, and I would say is harder wearing. It can take a few dents etc, and can be sanded probably once or twice if needed, whereas laminate cannot at all.

If you go for 'Brushed and Oiled', this has a raised grain. This reflects the light differently, so does not shine so much. This means that any dents or scratches will hardly show compared to laminates or even some solid wood floors.

Also, Engineered is more 'stable' than solid wood, so does not shrink or warp in the same way that a solid floor could.

If you compare an 'expensive' laminate to Engineered wood, there is little difference in the price. Over time, I would say Engineered will last longer than laminates, so in the long run it is Money Saving ...

andrew-b

Laminate is out these days...real wood is in. Also consider bamboo flooring. At wickes for example bamboo flooring starts at around £23 per sqm with 25 year guarantee. We were considering this stuff ourselves as it looks great.

As for a fireplace you need to decide between gas or electric and find out the condition of the chimney..personally i'd go the electric route to avoid issues with flues, ventilation and annual servicing ..though perhaps more expensive to run ? . Either way it's gonna cost you lots.

Fireplaces are more of a luxury item IMHO..spend your savings on what really needs it ..i.e. fix any external probs, kitchen and bathroom (these two eat money fast!) first ..then the nice bits like flooring and decor that make a house a home next!

I think you'd find the First-Time House Renovation thread useful...we're always on the look out for new recruits... and not just DIYers nor even first timers!! In particularly there's been a few posts lately in that thread on fireplaces which you may find handy. You'll also get an idea of what your letting yourself in for with the trials and tribulations of doing up a property!

Of course if you do want to attempt DIY you'll get plenty of support as well as saving yourself a considerable amount of money. It's all about being willing to learn though and having some patience as it will take you longer..lack of skills is irrelevant as everyone started somewhere and is a good a time as any to start with a new house! Buying a house was my DIY turning point. I'll probably get lambasted by the trades for promoting DIY as usual! lol

Laying laminate/wood flooring is a nice DIY job..not massively difficult either..just don't rush it and take your time and read around the subject first.

savingmummy

Thank you so much for the info bikertov i really appreciate it!!:beer:

Andrew i totally agree, we plan to do the main important bits first then save for luxuries such as fireplace etc. I am a planner and like to be prepared.
The flooring is quite a must at first as there will be no type of flooring at all and we have 2 small kiddies so need a suitable living space for them. Fireplace is a defo wait til we can type of thing really.

Thank you so much i shall be over and writing all the tips down
I love the designing part but am not a DIYer and my hubby can`t even screw in a screw:rotfl:....so hopefully i may find a good handyman in time Thanks again really appreciated x

Bikertov

savingmummy wrote: »

Thank you so much for the info bikertov i really appreciate it!!:beer:

You are welcome !!

I have learnt a lot doing up 4 flats and 2 houses now, at first it was more DIY than later on - but the same principles apply.

With the wood floor - get some samples (incl Laminates). Most decent suppliers will give you a short plank to take home. Hold up to the light and see what I mean about showing scratches. Then try to scratch and dent the sample - and see how the brushed & oiled compares.

Out of interest - I also looked at load of carpets (for upstairs). In the end went for a stain resistant one that was a bit different. The colouring of the carpet (nylon) was 'impregnated' into the fibres, rather than just dyed. This meant that you could BLEACH the carpet to clean it, without losing the colour. I tried a test of staining a sample with crayon, spilling red wine etc, and it cleaned up a treat.

I found that it was worth spending on quality, even if it cost a bit more in the short term - long term it is wise investment. It costs a lot more to replace cheap things a few times, than quality thing less often.

This does not mean spend a lot - you can usually shop around for an item to get the best price, and it can often be found for less money than a cheaper item in an expensive shop - if that makes sense ... !