Flooring estimate - is this just a con?

Our kitchen/utility measures 5 x 6 m = 30 sq m. The kitchen units cover about 7 sq m, although we will want the flooring to go under the plinth. So we can save a few sq m there.

We are going for plank LVT, so there will be a bit of wastage, but not a huge amount. Say allow 10% extra.

I'd have thought that 30 sq m would be a reasonable estimate. 

We asked for a flooring quote, and they have quoted for 40 sq m.  I wouldn't quibble if they had come back with 31 or 32, but 40 just seems like a con. Do I give them up as crooks and just find another firm?




No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
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Comments

  • Ganga
    Ganga Posts: 4,253 Forumite
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    Get 3 quotes and then compare prices .
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,704 Forumite
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    edited 21 March 2024 at 7:15PM
    Did you make it clear that it would not be  going all the way under the units?

    If this is to be click LVT rather than glue down, then make sure there is a restraining edge in place for the pieces running in under the plinth, this will prevent the cross joints from opening up at all.

    Unless you have a lot of  odd shapes it has to be cut around, from experience, allowing 10% extra for wastage should be fine.
  • Gavin83
    Gavin83 Posts: 8,757 Forumite
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    How much do you get in a box?
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 49,281 Ambassador
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    We’ve recently had plank LVT in our kitchen. As well as allowing for the bits going under the plinths, you need to allow for matching and for the layout. We have herringbone and that uses more than straight laying. We were also advised to keep some spare planks in case needed for the future.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,004 Forumite
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    I did make it clear that the flooring needed to go under the appliances but not right under all the units. I just think that they have overestimated by 30%, and I am wondering whether this is simply a mistake or a deliberate attempt to mislead. The rates per sq m we are being quoted are not particularly cheap. 

    The box size doesn’t come into it, as they’re saying that we will need to pay for full boxes and that depends on which colour we want.

    I am happy to get more quotes, but I am wondering whether I want to have any dealings with this firm at all. 
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,704 Forumite
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    For the amount needed, for a simple straight plank, you could just take the whole area of the room, without deductions for units, and add 10% for wastage .    That should be plenty to allow you a few spare planks, certainly was for the areas we did.

    However.......OH installed it himself ( it is easy to do if the click type) and made sure to keep the offcuts to one side to use where possible as it is  quite expensive.    A professional may not bother doing this as they are not paying for the larger amount not used, and it does take extra time.

    OH has done LVT in 6 bathrooms and  3 kitchens/utilities  between 5 houses in the last 12 years, and the whole ground floor (50 sq m) in our daughter's previous house,  mainly planks, but tile type in the bathrooms.   Also ordinary laminate in 9 bedrooms , solid oak in a living room,  and 33 years back solid beech in our hallways, so he does have plenty of experience!

    I would be getting more quotes.    Did they come and measure up?
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,004 Forumite
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    Yes, they measured up. It's their measurements I'm querying.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,847 Forumite
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    edited 22 March 2024 at 5:34PM
    GDB2222 said:


    The box size doesn’t come into it, as they’re saying that we will need to pay for full boxes and that depends on which colour we want.


    If the unit box size is 10 sqm. Then 40 sqm could be potentially what's required in that particular product. Precise measurements aren't neccesary. 
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,704 Forumite
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    edited 23 March 2024 at 5:10PM
    That stuff, if of a decent quality,  is very heavy!   A 10sq m box would be very difficult to move.  Never seen any that comes only in 10sq  m boxes.

    Many bathrooms are much smaller than 10sq m so would be difficult to sell a product  that came only in  such large boxes.
  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,847 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    That stuff, if of a decent quality,  is very heavy!   A 10sq m box would be very difficult to move.  Never seen any that comes only in 10sq  m boxes.

    Many bathrooms are much smaller than 10sq m so would be difficult to sell a product  that came only in  such large boxes.
    Palletised be no problem. 
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