Laminate flooring and driveway query

bargainhunter121

We’re possibly about to start an extension and so we got a few builders quotes. When discussing the plans with them, one builder suggested we could lift the laminate flooring in our dining room for reuse elsewhere in the house. On another matter he suggested putting boards up our driveway to protect it from damage from the diggers etc. (Our driveway is very steep and long, 12 degree incline and only resurfaced about 3 years ago). 

The other builder has told us that we can’t lift the laminate without damaging it and therefore it would need replaced if we wanted to use it elsewhere. He has also suggested that the driveway is resurfaced after the works are complete, which our architect agrees with. Which builder do you think is right? I’m worried one is creating extra jobs for extra money, or is the first builder being too optimistic?

scottishblondie

Laminate quality varies wildly.  If it's good quality and you're very careful taking it up, then it might be possible to reuse it.  It would need to fit elsewhere, which is potentially a bigger problem.  Where the planks end at each side of the room they'll have been trimmed off, which means that they can only be used again up against a wall as they won't click together with another plank anymore.  That means the place you want to reuse them needs to be either the same size or smaller.  Generally, laminate is so cheap there is no point in going through all the effort to retain used stuff unless it was top notch in the first place.  Or you have some cupboards you want to floor!

As to the driveway, I would probably want to protect it if possible, as obviously resurfacing it is yet another expense and the current surface is pretty new.  I'm sure someone more experienced in that area could weigh in with a better answer there!

TELLIT01

The angle of incline on the drive might make it difficult to put effective protection in place.  Vehicles driving up and down are likely to cause any covering to move.  What is the surface?

bargainhunter121

The driveway is just tarmac (I think) I've attached a pic. Also the laminate was egger if that helps at all. 

FreeBear

Builders are often messy burgers... Even with boards down, there is a risk that someone will knock a can of something over that seeps under the boards and leaves an indelible mess. - Neighbour has a brickweave  drive that a builder split some resin over despite having plastic sheeting down. Short of replacing the blocks, there is no easy way to get rid of the stuff.

If your driveway does get damaged, it wouldn't be too difficult to scrape the surface and put a new top layer down. Won't be cheap though... In your shoes, I'd board the area and cross fingers that no spillages or damage occurs.

bargainhunter121

Ok thanks. It concerns me slightly that they havent even mentioned putting boards down. 

Ajmason42

For driveway I would get the builders to protect it  if something happens it happens and you then need to decide what to do  of the protection works then you have a benefit  and what you save on resurface can be used for something else

bargainhunter121

The architect said he is trying to get a quote from the builder should it need to be resurfaced and In relation to my suggestion of boards he said it wouldn’t be safe for the diggers etc as we are on such an incline. Looks like another cost looming...