Removing skirting boards to lay wooden floor?

[Snoopersparadise]

Is this a massive job? I am organising a floor for parents new flat (engineered oak on concrete floor) and I am umming and erring over whether the skirts should come off or if they should just use beading.

Mum ideally wants it done properly with the skirts off but is this a huge job? It's a 20 year old retirement flat if that helps...

We've just had a solid wood floor laid, and the joiner said removing the skirtings always gives the best finish. Unfortunately, we're in a Victorian house with foot-high skirtings that cover the wiring etc, so it wasn't possible.

We removed ours - and then hired a nail gun to get them back on as it was difficult to gauge where the wall batons were.

Don't like beading - to me it looks as if someone is covering up mistakes or faults.

I'm definitely leaning towards removing. I know it's going to cost a bit more but it's a one off job. I just hope we can re-use the skirt and not have to buy new

We removed the skirting boards in our bedroom - also a Victorian house - and half the plaster came away with them. We were planning on replastering anyway so probably weren't as careful as we could have been but they really didn't come away easily or cleanly.

That is exactly what I am worried about. Though am hoping that being a modern property they won't be as firmly attached as with a Victorian one. I suppose we can test the water on one wall (one wall of skirts has to come off anyway for other reasons).

Thanks for all the replies!

Our made a right mess of the plaster and the walls had to be patched and reskimmed. Looked better though.

We removed skirting with a view to putting them back but some got damaged and we could not find the same profile. Walls also got damaged. Bought brand new skirting and it looks better than the old one. Used a website called skirtech. Loads of profiles and height choices. Excellent prices - we paid 400 for 80m of primed skirting.

they can always be removed and it always gives a better job.

It will be more work though.

For a superlative job, before refitting the skirtings, stand them on the floor and draw a pencil line along the top, you can preferably cut back the plaster, or screw a batten to the wall that the skirting can then be fixed to. This will make it stick out further than if you chop out the plaster and fix the batten to the brickwork. The plaster and the batten should be flush. You will have to do some redecorating anyway.