Who would I contact to replace floorboards?

[hanflan]

What type of contractor would I need for this? Our floorboards upstairs (especially the stairs and landing) are absolutely awful, they creak and bang so loudly it keeps waking our daughter up when we come up to bed etc! Would it be a general builder? Carpenter? Other?
Thanks

[PausingFlatly]

Well within the ability of a general builder or handy(wo)man.

In fact you may be able to DIY. The boards probably just need screwing down to stop them moving.

My big book of DIY says try taking out the loose nail that's allowing the board to move, and screw into the same hole to be sure of not striking a cable or pipe underneath.

IME, the hardest bit will be getting the carpet up without the gripper rod shredding the edges.

[JillyTheDependableBoot]

There are lots of companies that refurbish wooden floors. They will replace any that need replacing, nail down any that need nailing down, sand and varnish. Personally I wouldn't want to replace an original floor with engineered wood or similar - is this what you're thinking of?

[johnd2]

You should be able to do it yourself or someone you know should be up to the task. Not worth paying someone for that.
The biggest tip I'd give you is if there's a screw or nail missing, 50:50 it's because they's a pipe or cable underneath. So always check first. Then I always draw on the board afterwards to say where the safe areas are.
But basically you need to remove/ fold back the floor covering, then lift the loose boards, check underneath, and then screw them (or new boards) with 50mm screws.
Just take your time and watch some videos on YouTube!
Failing that a handy person should be fine. Just make sure they tell you what they'll charge before hand.
Good luck!

[Bluntness100]

When we had our floor boards sanded and varnished we used a company who specialised in that and they also replaced floor boards. Usually when they took carpet out, they would replace a few floor boards and then sand and varnish the lot. I'd look at those type of companies.

[PigletJohn]

how old is the house?

Are the floors "boards" like planks about 4 inches wide, or bigger sheets of (e.g.) chipboard about 4 feet wide?

If chipboard, pull them up and throw them on the bonfire. Flooring ply is very much better.

Builders like to use nails because they're cheap and quick, but screws hold better and can be tightened if necessary.

Draw the outlines of any pipes and cables on top of the floor, it will reduce your propensity to drill into them.