Amish made hardwood

It is currently Sun Nov 24, 2024 10:34 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:31 pm 
Offline
New User

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:20 pm
Posts: 4
I purchased 2300 sq ft of Chelsea Plank pre-finished hickory with the intention of paying someone to install it for me. The bids have come back in the ridiculous range and I've begun to wonder if I can install it myself. I've ripped out all my carpet and the wood will replace all formerly carpeted areas--about 2100 sq ft in total. I've spent some time online and in Lowes researching, and it seems like all it takes is a healthy dose of precision and some sweat? I've completed other projects around the house without having to get someone else in to fix my screw ups, but I've never attempted anything on this scale.

I do have lots of questions, though. Starting with which tools should I BUY? Air compressor, flooring nailer, miter saw. Any comments on these specific pieces of equipment? Anything else I should purchase?

Cleats vs staples? Does the fact it's hickory make a difference in this decision?

Underlayment? The guy at Lowes said kraft paper was fine. The small amount of hardwood I ripped out in the entryway had kraft underneath. Is there something better? What about cork? It seems like every resource I read has something different to say about underlayment.

Direction. Hardwood is going in all colored areas. (And also downstairs, but would prefer to start upstairs.) I'd like to start in the north east corner of bedroom one. (Picture not to scale...it's just to give an idea)

Image

Joists run north/south. Do I HAVE to run my wood east/west? Would it be foolish to run the wood north/south?

I'm still planning on bringing in the pros to do the stairs, as that just seems to be too far over my head.

Any thoughts on this project?

Thanks!


Top
 Profile  
 

 Post subject: Re: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:26 pm 
Offline
Most Valuable Contributor

Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 7:42 pm
Posts: 4373
Location: Antioch, CA. 94509
First, I would like to know what area of the country you live in and then, what professional installation prices you received that you believed were ridiculous? I can tell you, while you can do it yourself, it is never as easy as it looks and it will take way longer than you anticipate. A moderate "across the board/country" going rate to install a pre-finished nailed down floor is about $2.50 to $3.00 per sq.ft. Some urban and expensive areas can be double. Some more rural areas and economically depressed areas can be as little as $1.50 a sq.ft. While I have seen some good DIY installations, I have also seen plenty of bad ones, including some that were supposedly professional. The rule of thumb in selecting a contractor is to get 5 estimates from reliable sources. Then check each one out thoroughly, including their references. If you get a bid much lower than the rest, question why.

As far as all your questions, on the Hardwood Installer website, there are many tutorials listed. I suggest starting there and reading up on what you need to learn prior to assuming you can do the install.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:03 pm 
Offline
New User

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:20 pm
Posts: 4
I'm in Fort Collins, CO.

Bids for install have been $19k and up.

I've already gone through the hardwood installer website.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: 2300 sq.ft. is a lot
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:31 pm 
Offline
Semi Newbie Contributor

Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 8:56 pm
Posts: 84
Location: Marin County
Hello.
I think you can do it yourself, you are saying you have done small project around the house, this will help.
You should remember that fixing floor a little bit harder then say fixing drywall or even cabinet.
Once you get the board down and later descover major mistake say hmmmm;
imperfect board in the middle of the room, the flooring is not align with the wall correctly ...
Then the only right way to fix is is pull out whole floor in order to fix it.
So make sure to read as much as you can before you can do it.

2300sq.ft is a lot of floor. maybe you can find a seperate room that is not connected with the rest of the house and "learn" on a small area.
Good luck.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:45 pm 
Offline
New User

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:20 pm
Posts: 4
Yep, unfortunately, the house has a open floor plan. Upstairs is about the closest I could get to trying it out on a small space. Thought about starting in the master closet, but if I'm going to be making mistakes, I'd rather do it in the unused bedroom! I am capable of being quite precise.

Any comments on the air compressor or the miter saw I linked in first post? Guy at Lowes who'd done hardwood install thought both pieces would be more than sufficient.

If there are any pro installers here in northern CO who are in the $2.50 to $3/sq ft range, please get in touch! That's right about what I expected. $9/sq ft is :shock:


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:45 pm 
Offline
Most Valuable Contributor

Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 7:42 pm
Posts: 4373
Location: Antioch, CA. 94509
I agree that $9 a sq.ft. to install flooring that has already been supplied is ridiculous. If you would still like to have a pro install it, consider putting an offer up at Bill Price's website. It is called Floormasters http://www.floormasters.com/

You will need to sign up. However, there are very many pros there who are quite knowledgeable and would be willing to bid on your project.

Here are the tutorials I was speaking about AND related discussions.

http://hardwoodflooringtalk.com/discuss ... tapler.htm

http://hardwoodflooringtalk.com/discuss ... t-type.htm

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... renail.htm

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... floors.htm

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... r-prep.htm

http://hardwoodflooringtalk.com/discuss ... ection.htm

http://hardwoodflooringtalk.com/discuss ... ection.htm

Some of these pages list other related pages. I can assure that that every question a newbie could have, has already been answered. As far as tools, you can buy , then sell later if you don't want to keep them. Some have had good luck with imports from Harbor Freight. In regards to where to start, as a professional, I find that when doing a large job like yours, starting at the longest run right down the middle, helps ensure the flooring in all the rooms will be parallel and straight. Starting at one far wall and working all the way across the house, hoping to be straight by the time you get to the other side can be problematic. A pro could pull this off. I doubt a newbie could.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Lots of questions from a newb. Can I really do this myself?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:09 am 
Offline
Prized Contributor

Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:04 am
Posts: 1272
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
9 bucks a foot for just install? Im on my way.
Seriously there must be some misunderstanding there, or you have an "M" tattooed to your forehead.
But more to the point, you should be able to install this on your own. If you run the floor east to west in the spare bedroom as you want, you will know by the end of this room whether you wish to continue or hire the project out.
There are plenty of inexpensive pneumatic nailers out there that will last at least the duration of your project, but wont have much resale value. If you are thinking about recovering your expenses, purchase a #445 from Powernail Co. or a #240 or #250 from Primatech. If you are going to use staples, use Bostitch.
Purchasing a cheap compressor/finish nailer combo from one of the box stores will get you through the job.

_________________
Dennis Coles
http://www.darmaga.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group

phpBB SEO