Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Aug 19, 2011 3:12 pm HI all, I am just about to sign contract with a volume builder and one issue which I can't get resolved is them leaving off the skiting boards. They are allowing me to install my own timber floor after handover but insist on installing skirting boards. They can give me no good reason other than it is their standard building practice. My argument is you are letting us do our own floor , as the only do floating timber with quads on skirting so we are only going to have to pull them off to get the finish we want and this risks damaging plaster etc.. Their response is any plaster damage will be covered when you reinstall skirting because of new floor height. So they are admitting we may damage our new home by ripping off skirting. Does anyone know why volume builders are so stubborn on this ? I think it is resonable to ask them to not do something that will make the installation of our floor so much easier. Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 2Aug 19, 2011 3:39 pm I heard that it has something to do with shrinkage?? When I was at a flooring place the other day they told me that they can install under skirtings as long as the builder leaves the right clearance so maybe you could liase with your flooring specialist and you builder and specify height that skirtings need to be off the floor? Not the best solution though as if they get it wrong..... Good luck JLD Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 3Aug 19, 2011 3:52 pm You may be able to ask the builder to agree to loosely place the skirting with soft nail struts, then have your own flooring installer hard nail them after installing the floor. Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 4Aug 19, 2011 4:17 pm Hi guys, thanks for replies. I have asked for them to be soft nailed with no luck, really frustraiting Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 5Aug 19, 2011 4:26 pm I think it's part of maintenance and warranty. Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 6Aug 19, 2011 4:33 pm We had the same issue - I'm in the construction/engineering field myself so I understood the reason - ie. you are signing off on the completion of your house so they have to complete the contract to cover themselves. I know it seems unreasonable and you are sure you wouldn't try and make a claim against them if there is a problem with the skirting boards later but there are people who would and they can't take the risk. However saying that - it is unreasonable of them that they won't just soft nail the skirting boards - that's what our builder did. We had to get someone privately then to reinstate the boards as they need some work to resize etc. We are now going round and painting the nail holes. Worth it for the look. Nov 09 - Bought Land Aug 10 - Site Clearance Nov 10 - Slabbed Jan 11 - Framed Mar 11 - Locked Up May 11 - Fixed July 11 - Keys Blog: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34238 Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 7Aug 19, 2011 4:45 pm It's because the builder is inflexible. There is no good reason. I talked with 3 builders before signing a contract and all were willing to either leave out the skirting boards, or soft nail them. The builder I finally went with is actually leaving them and the internal doors out, that way I can make sure the hardwood runs under the door jambs and under my kitchen cabinetry. my house blog: http://sugarloafdrivebuild.blogspot.com/ Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 8Aug 19, 2011 9:09 pm I dunno as to why your builder insists on installing but a know MDJ Homes has a flooring policy option that leaves the skirting off allowing you to do the install yourself post flooring. Finishing is your responsibility. Of course this is no help to you but on a side note.. I seen a tool some years ago that looked like and angle grinder but with a timber cutting blade and an adjustable height guide that allows under cutting of skirting and around door jambs. Dunno what its called but a hunt around the web may uncover it. Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 9Aug 20, 2011 6:54 pm We asked for them to be soft nailed on, and they said no. We pushed them a bit, so they agreed to leave them off... "uncut, unpainted, left in strips in the garage and not covered for theft or damage" is how the contract is worded. Still - allows us to avoid the quad, and if we get a good SS, he may be kind enough to send the chippy back after the flooring is done post-handover (here's hoping!) Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 11Aug 20, 2011 10:20 pm Maybe a variation stating builder will install after flooring has been laid That's what my builder is doing Re: Skirting Boards - Why won't builders leave them off? 12Aug 21, 2011 12:21 am As long as its in writing I can't see why any builder would say no. I doubt any volume builder has strict rules regarding skirting so in most cases it probably depends on who you ask and how willing they are to help. What type of timber floor are you going to do? Success is the result of good judgment, good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is often the result of bad judgment! Building Standards; Getting It Right! Is this acceptable in a new house build. Floors where installed by builder. Already chips in board and skirting is not flush 0 184 I'm about to put down some Merbau. Is it necessary to oil underneath the boards before laying? 0 1933 |