Carpenter tells HO to install floor first - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Frankawitz · 01-15-2007, 08:53 AM

I'm doing a job where we went in and resurfaced the walls of a kitchen & breakfast area, The HO has a carpenter doing trim work I told HO to have the carpenter come in and finish his work then we would come back in and paint. well now the carpenter told HO that you always have the floor done then he would finish his trim work and then we could come in and paint, Now I have to cover the new floor cause of this carpenter who in my eyes is all back ass wards, Is this how any of you would do a floor installation before the walls and ceiling have been done? all the years I've done this type of work only once did we have a HO refinish floors before we did our work. And the floor got screwed up and the HO wanted us to fix the floor when I told them we would not because we had wood trim to strip the finish off and they should have waited on the floor refinish. to me this carpenter just cost me more money and time. BS!

**ProWallGuy** · 01-15-2007, 09:55 AM

As a paperhanger/painter, its a 50/50 thing. If they finish the floor first, we have to take the time to protect it, and be gentle all around it. On the other hand, if they come in behind us to do the floor, odds are they will cuase some touch-ups to the walls/trim. Adjust the contract in accordance to what you need to do. IE add more time/$$$ due to having to protect the floor. OR add time/$$$ for later t/u.

Mike Finley · 01-15-2007, 10:30 AM

Why don't you simply give the customer the choice?

The way I said we would do it costs $3500, the way he wants it done it's going to cost you an extra $350 for the materials and extra time taken to protect exisiting surfaces and tip toe around everything. We will do it either way, it makes no difference to us. Which way would you like to do it?

Everyjob has things that make it unique, finished surfaces are always something to take into consideration in your estimating. Your prices are obviously based on a certain way of working, this customer is asking you to work a different way, which means an adjustment to your estimate would be called for.

J&J Home Imp. · 01-15-2007, 09:19 PM

I always save finishing for last. Usually the only thing left to do after I get done is the finish coat on the trim. Some jobs get pushed for time and things get done out of order and thats not the end of the world but it is a pain. Some people don't have a clue about order. I carpeted a house once that was in the middle of everything. He was about a month from being ready but he wanted it done right now so I did it.

Frankawitz · 01-16-2007, 07:31 AM

The thing is the carpenter is a friend of the HO and is doing the job on the side, so he wants everything his way. I don't mind working around the finished floor it's just that anytime there are new floors going in it's easier to do touch ups versas covering new floors, and plus now we have to wait for the flooring to come in, they said 10 days out

. It's BS the carpenter could have all his trim up we could prime caulk putty nail holes and paint and then the floor guys could finish up

, but No

the carpenter wants it his way,He's a complete A Hole. Oh I plan on the price increase and it will be thanks to Mr Carpenter!

Mike Finley · 01-16-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankawitz

Oh I plan on the price increase and it will be thanks to Mr Carpenter!

Good for you, it sounds like there should be. If this job is going to take say 2 extra hours longer than usual, plus you are expensing materials for protection and you have an increased risk and liability if something gets damaged it's totally justified.

ProRenovator · 01-21-2007, 09:34 PM

When we get ready for floors all the walls and ceilings are prepainted. The base is not installed because I like the base on top of tile, ceramic vinyl and wood. Carpet is preinstalled, prepainted base. My painter has no quams with this says it saves him from having to repaint all the base again because we beat the hell out of it while installing tile. To each his own.

georgia dawg · 01-24-2007, 05:54 PM

I run my jobs just like ProRenovator, too. No flooring damage if done last.

boman47k · 01-30-2007, 11:14 AM

Why not price the wall area, crown, etc only, and agree to come back when the floors are finished and price the base? I have worked in houses with several trades stepping on each other with floors already down. Different mat's here and there. Makes it very aggravating, especially for the painters. Paint a wall next day come in and see a door lying against the wall! I agree, a good look at the situation is warranted and pricing done accordingly.

pitbull · 01-30-2007, 11:31 AM

we all want things the easiest way for our own trade. It just depends on who has the biggest clout. Its a bit like glazed or not. I think all painters would prefer all doors and windows too be glazed after painted, but the majority are glazed prior. The last large contract I dealt with supplying doorsets, prior too the sets going in I arranged for the painters too do everything bar the top coat prior too sets and trim to go on, this giving painters flat sufaces. Cutting in was only really needed at ceiling and internal wall corners.
But depending on your quote, then Increase the price too suit.

Frankawitz · 02-01-2007, 08:15 AM

Well we got in to do the job on Monday we will finish it up today

, The carpenter on the job is a friend of the family so he is doing it on the side(Saturdays and Sundays) this knob used raw wood trim for the crown and other trim pieces. instead of using pre primed trim, I think this a hole was just trying to make more work for me

, also the HO is looking at it as it's going to take me a week or two to get it done

, well I got news for him we'll be done by 4:30 pm today give me my money and oh here's the extras, thanks to your Carpenter

Have a Nice Day!

oleary78 · 03-02-2007, 05:15 PM

sometimes you to add on. you know that the HO will side with the friend not the trusty contractor.

woodmagman · 03-02-2007, 06:50 PM

I have to side with Prorenovator, there is an order to construction, the flooring goes under the base not beside it. Paint the walls prior to flooring, request to pre prime or paint trim if you can. Then good back and paint base after the flooring has been installed. To do it any other way would be something a 1st timer would do.