Flooring estimate - is this just a con?

GDB2222

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?

Ganga

Get 3 quotes and then compare prices .

jennifernil

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

How much do you get in a box?

silvercar

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.

GDB2222

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. 

jennifernil

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

Yes, they measured up. It's their measurements I'm querying.

Hoenir

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

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

jennifernil said:

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.