关于upgrade hardwood floor

[greenhand]

想让BUILDER把一楼的地板给铺了(有装修CREDIT), 楼梯和二楼让CONTRACTOR来做, 而且要在楼梯上再加一层地毯防滑.

如果让CONTRACTOR来装, 最好是拿了钥匙就装. 可拿了钥匙是不是MORTGAGE也开始了? 又租房又供房,开销蛮大的.

那到底是全都让BUILDER做划算,还是二楼让CONTRACTOR来做好? 这笔帐该怎么算才能又经济又方便?

还有, 买的是新的TOWNHOUSE, 有没有必要投资二楼的木地板? 住惯了全木地板的房子, 觉得很干净. 但装木地板费用还是蛮高的, 所以一直很犹豫.

大家能不能谈谈看法或给些建议?

多谢!

 

[Timothy's]

Do you really want to strip out new carpet? Why no wait few years after they are worn out then replace them.You may sell your house in few years since not every one like hardwood floor bedrooms, you may not recover your investment. Ask builder to do the first flool is good idea since you have credit and the price could be included in the mortgage.

 

[PrideOfChinese]

Builders always say they give customer credit for upgrade from carpet to hardwood floor. However you can find what you get by a simple math: They usually charge ~$12/ft for the upgrade after the so-called credit. You can easily find good quality hardwood floor at $6-$7/ft in the market, and the labor cost for the installation is $4-$5/ft. It means you get nothing for the "credit", but loose the brand new carpet!

If the builder could deduct the carpet cost for the 1st floor (~$2000, $30-$40/yd) to you, I suggest you hire a contractor do it for you. Otherwise, change the carpet with hardwood after a couple of years, like Timothy's
said.

Another disadvantage for the builder upgrade: it will increase the initial value of the house and thus increase your property tax within a few years.

 

[greenhand]

Thanks for your comments!