Price difference if not installed by builder (hardwood)

[hellome]

Planning to install hardwood floor throughout the main level (including kitchen), the stairs towards second level, and the small hallway at the second level.

Excluding the stairs, approx. 1200 sq of area will install hardwood. I wonder how much money can I save if I install the hardwood afterwards, comparing to install it by the builder?

 

[marklin]

If you visit Homedepot often enough, you'll see that on their prices of hardwood, they also list the price for professional installation, somewhere in the average of same amount as the material cost itself (e.g. $2.99/sq.ft. hardwood, $3/sq.ft. labour)

Hardwood on stairs is a lot more expensive than on the floor. But regardless, you are looking to save about 1/2 the cost if you do it yourself, excluding your own labour though..

Good luck!

 

[Timothy's]

Unless you can DIY, the money saving is not that big. I will have the upgrade if I really hate carpet or I have pets. If the money is tight and you are ok for carpet for few years, you can use the carpet at first few years and wear them out before change them. You would save money that way.

 

[hellome]

Thank you! I guess I'll just go with the upgrade...

 

[Abracadabra]

当初我们装HARDWOOD的时候,MINTO的报价是3300,HOME DEPOT也差不多,后来我们找了另外一家公司(GIANT CARPET),花了2500.

 

[hellome]

Thanks Abracadabra!
We got a quote from Minto about $13-15/sq for hardwood, will have to spend $10k+ if go with the builder.... we will try to get an estimate from Giant Carpet and see how much can we save according to you 3300 --> 2500, seems like can save about a quarter of the builder's price? a quarter of $10k+ is not bad!

 

[Abracadabra]

You are welcome.

They didn't give us the discount first. But when we said we only had $2500 budget and wanted to leave, the salesman made a deal with us. But we needed to remove the carpet ourselves. Anyway, just remember you can negotiate.

 

[redobe]

my friend upgraded to hardwood floor with Minto, but they regreted a lot when moved in. Why? because the workers did not protect the woodfloor after installation. So it was dirty and with lots of scratchs.

 

[hellome]

my friend upgraded to hardwood floor with Minto, but they regreted a lot when moved in. Why? because the workers did not protect the woodfloor after installation. So it was dirty and with lots of scratchs.

Really?? that's horrible , did your friend complain to Minto?

 

[hellome]

You are welcome.

They didn't give us the discount first. But when we said we only had $2500 budget and wanted to leave, the salesman made a dealwith us. But we needed to remove the carpet ourselves. Anyway, just remember you can negotiate.

Not long ago we decided to stick with Minto since the price is quite competitive, but after hearing Redobe's story, I have a bit of doubt now... I'll hate it so much if we are only to get a scratched floor after paying $10K+

 

[novadalhomes]

The market price for hardwood install is around 10/sqft, i.e., $2-2.5/sqft for labour, and $6-7 for material. For $7/sqft, you can get the highest quality oak/birch/maple, and you can spend a little bit more for exotic wood like Jatoba. If you don't really care about the milling quality and the length of board, you can buy stuff from Home depot/Rona/Cosco. You will save much more on material. In general, Minto is a little bit higher than the market price, not too too bad. You do save money, if you upgrade later on and not through the builder.

Thanks Abracadabra!
We got a quote from Minto about $13-15/sq for hardwood, will have to spend $10k+ if go with the builder.... we will try to get an estimate from Giant Carpet and see how much can we save according to you 3300 --> 2500, seems like can save about a quarter of the builder's price? a quarter of $10k+ is not bad!

 

[Timothy's]

跑题一下，kitchen 铺木地板，好吗? 是不是需要作防水处理？普通木地板怕水，中国人做饭，不洗洗淘淘不行。

No problem. My kitchen is hardwood floor. all Hardwood surface are treated. They are waterproof. I put a piece of carpet in front of sink and stove. It helpes too.