Flooring contractor practices

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I think my flooring contractor is trying to charge me for the amount of wood ordered instead of the actual square footage of the rooms. He suggested ordering quite a bit over the actual room sizes (by about 20%). This makes a difference of about $1,000. Is this standard practice? We think he may be mad that we bought the wood ourselves and he didn't get to make money off of the sale. Any thoughts?

Featured Answer

PRO

Cancork Floor Inc.

11 years ago

Hello, I can help a bit with this. In the wood flooring industry in N. America the proper amount of "waste" is considered 5%. This is industry standard and is used to calculate the amount of planks/boards that will be "unuseable" because of small issues with the milling. This 5% does NOT account cutting waste...although many flooring installers have the ability to work inside this 5%.

Another thing to take into account = they type of planks being ordered...very high end planks with a heavy price tag = nominal waste. If you are working with "seconds", factory shorts or "rustic" grade planks (something OTHER than #1 Grade) you are looking at 7% just to start the day. These planks are inherently "less than perfect" (which is what gave them the lower grade in the first place) and have more issues with knots and problem planks.

If anything special is needed (laying on an angle, circular/oval rooms, etc) then the cutting waste moves even higher. If you work the numbers with a complicated installation (5% waste) and a low-grade floor (factory seconds, etc = 7%) can put you into the 12-15% waste without batting an eye.

If he orders 20% overage...you are the owner of all the waste. Be firm and state that you expect to keep everything that is not used. This should keep you clear of any wrong doing. Of course, I would recommend getting in a second opinion if you feel you are being taken for a ride.

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Comments (7)

June
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for the detailed info! My question now, is how do contractors usually quote the install price - by square footage ordered or by the actual room size? Even 5% more on the install price could make a difference with a large project.
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PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
11 years ago
In theory, labour is worked by the measured square footage...or by the hour. Again, this depends on the intricacies of the install, number of rooms, stairs, trim, etc. Installing under pad/underlay is extra. Glue down installations are different from nail-in-place, etc. Site finishing will always add several hundred dollars to the labour. Factory finished floors will save you on that side of things.

You may get a "per square foot" detail for installation...but that will be for the floor ONLY. Anything extra - even baseboards - will be extra. Make sure your contract spells out, in detail, what is being done for what price.

Example: local flooring installers in my area (Vancouver BC) charge $2.25/sf to lay a cork floating floor. Cork underlay adds $0.25/sf. Vapour barrier adds $0.10/sf. Removing carpets = $1/sf. Baseboards = extra. Apply polyurethane (in a kitchen) = $100 per coat. Materials are EXTRA.

As you can see the $2.25/sf is for the person to show up, cut the flooring planks and install them. A basement installation with vapour barrier, cork underlay and applying polyurethane (2 coats) drives the price closer to the $3/sf.

This is an example...but it is worth noting what is "extra" in each situation.
PRO
GoodHouse Flooring LLC
11 years ago
This is the right answer....

Most of the industry charges by square foot. All that is is a way to quantify labor.

Every type of floor covering labor is estimated / invoiced at the same amount as material purchased. This is the reasoning...

Waste factor is because you need this surplus material either because it is salvage, cut off, or simply extra from rounding to the next full box. This material is included in labor because it's handled, culled, fitted, etc. It doesn't matter what type of flooring your installing, it's the same reasoning.

That being said there are only a few scenarios that would require 20% waste factor. And every scenario I can think of lends itself to being a labor intensive/custom job. Therefore even more proving my point. Typical waste factor is 5-10%. Depends on square footage, layout and material. 20% is very high.
PRO
GoodHouse Flooring LLC
11 years ago
This is the right answer....

Most of the industry charges by square foot. All that is is a way to quantify labor.

Every type of floor covering labor is estimated / invoiced at the same amount as material purchased. This is the reasoning...

Waste factor is because you need this surplus material either because it is salvage, cut off, or simply extra from rounding to the next full box. This material is included in labor because it's handled, culled, fitted, etc. It doesn't matter what type of flooring your installing, it's the same reasoning.

That being said there are only a few scenarios that would require 20% waste factor. And every scenario I can think of lends itself to being a labor intensive/custom job. Therefore even more proving my point. Typical waste factor is 5-10%. Depends on square footage, layout and material. 20% is very high.
PRO
GoodHouse Flooring LLC
11 years ago
Labor is quoted for material handled, not just physically length X width installed.
June
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback! This is helpful. I can see why the charge might be for material handled. Seems fair enough, as long as the installer isn't needlessly wasteful. I will keep an eye on all the extra bundles and make sure I'm not paying for more square footage than was actually handled.