Engineered wood floor - who did you hire to fit it for you (london)

[Geekfromlondon]

Hello helpful mumsnetters.

As a recent first time buyer I've been saving up over the last 9months to put in nice new flooring. Current laminate is falling to bits - read trip hazard and covered as best I can with various rugs!

I've found some gorgeous engineered wood flooring in the sale from directeoodflooring www.directwoodflooring.co.uk/ and have budgeted the same price as the floor again for underlay, skirting boards and fitting. All I need now is someone to fit it!

Have any if you lovely ladies had a super fitter who can come and fit underlay, flooring and skirting boards? I'm in Central South london.

Did anyone try to rip up old laminate themselves by the way? I thought it could be quite thereputic but maybe I'm being over adventurous!

Thank you in advance for any help!

I don't know about london but have seen notices up for 29 quid per square metre locally. That's just the floor not skirting. B&Q locally charge that too. They farm out the work. Why not try trusted traders, put up what you will pay with the add and see. They don't charge for the add

I laid one myself several times including freinds. I don't like mine 7 years old looking scruffy and cold too in the winter.

Don't let me put you off though my dogs claws scored it here and there. Did look very nice when I out it down though. It's not all it's hyped up to be IMO

Ad not add, was eating after grafting all day fencing slab laying so kernaxkered . So if you thought my post was put up by a roughneck you were right

Hi roneik thank you for your message.

You are brave doing the flooring yourself and now doing fence slabs - I'm in awe! Given how much I'd be spending on flooring (well a lot in my book anyway!) I think I'd feel more comfortable asking a professional but that's my risk adverse nature not wanting to think I'd have to suck up badly put in flooring for the next 5+ years!

I'll use trusted trader if I don't get any first hand recommendations, thanks.

Has anyone else used someone they had a good experience with?

Yes I took up the old flooring in our house the other week. It was hard to get the first bit up but after that it was easy despite a baby helping me.

Thankfully it had not been nailed down or glued so it came up fine. I sold it on.

If yours is already knackered then just go for it with a crow bar though

Getting rid is the worst bit as you will have to take it to the tip in several car loads if it's unsaleable.

They do have tradesmen professionals that have been recommended , I have only used them once recently as I had a tree that was really tall best part of 50 ft high and did not want to do it myself as I am ok on ladders but needed a guy with the climbing gear and knowledge. I usually tackle most jobs but that was not for me. Actually I think doing tasks and projects helps you keep fit. I am saving for a mini and wont spend where I don't have to in order to get it soon.

That aside I have always loved DIY and have enjoyed all the different projects I have undertaken.

A bit of manual work keeps you fit, I am seventy and can put some in their 30s to shame. Touch wood I have a lot of stamina and have been blessed with good health up to now. I am going to use my old hardwood floor to floor out the loft.

If I was going to put wood flooring down again, I would choose oak and not get the planks that are lots of bits glued together,I would go for the brushed oak planks that are one piece of wood , that type cost a bit more but look nicer when laid

The person who did our kitchen fitted the floor. Still looks good two years later (we have two DC under 5 as well).

Having fitted laminate myself, I reckon it would be easy to take up.

Try trust a trader to find someone

Soonish when I laid it I had the planks running in line with the door so should not be a problem getting up. What is annoying is my new at the time skirting boards I put in will maybe have to come off as there might be a gap between carpet and bottom of skirting. The boards were really chunky thick.
Might be alright have to wait and see

We have just had engineered wood in our new loft conversion and it looks lovely. We used the fitter from the flooring company which was £15 sq mtr (most around us charge £25), but paid him extra to fit skirting boards too. I can pm you his number if you like as he said he does private work too. We are west London but the company fit all over London so he would likely travel.

Ilovecheese I would be really grateful if you could pm me the contact and company of the guy who did your floor. Thank you

With much mumsnet motivation I quite fancy ripping up this old laminate myself, I think it will be exhilarating!

And roneik, if I have half the DIY skills as you when I'm your age I wouldconsider myself to be doing rather well! Great work

Thanks all

Left school to become apprentice carpenter , but because of poor background had the need to earn more to pay my way I had to give up after half way through. So I have always had some skills with wood .

Have a go , you learn as you go on, and most things now days can be researched on the net.

If you think out before the next part of a task you usually end well

PM's you Geek. Good luck!