Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Feb 15, 2009 8:27 pm Hi all,
I am trying to find a floor installer for my new house - blackbutt on ply. I can either just pick a reputable installer and let them supply and install the floor for me. Or, I find a timber supplier, buy the timber off them and find an installer to install the floor. I am wondering what you have done, or what you would do, or any things I should look out for if I do either approach? At the moment, I am leaning to the first approach. I am struggling to find a reputable floor installer to supply and install. So, i guess, it will be twice the risk to have picked a not-so-good supplier and installer. What do you think? Your opinion is appreciated. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 2Feb 15, 2009 8:51 pm Hi Eho,
I think we've crossed paths on this same topic before - solid timber floors (blakbutt) in Sydney! We are in the same boat and currently investigating a few supliers and installers... if we have any luck finding a reputable/good price one I'll let you know. Yeah, I am leaning towards having the same person supply and install, that way if something goes wrong they won't blame the supplier and viceversa... We've found a few really good reputable ones but the price was just outrageous (Ironwood in Rozelle for example). In the meantime if anyone else knows anyone good in Sydney I would love to find out too. Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 3Feb 15, 2009 9:06 pm Jochicho, do you mind PM me the installers you have got quotes from? It would be good to know a few more to try. At the moment, I don't even have much ideas who's reputable or not. I have only their websites to judge on If they don't show up on google or yellowpages, they are not on my radar too. Just not sure where to start Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 4Feb 15, 2009 9:33 pm No probs eho. I will ask hubby for the info tomorrow (as he has been calling most of them) and will pass them through.
In terms of knowing whether they are reputable or not it's hard to know unless you know someone that has used them... for us that was only Ironwood (so expensive!) but will check with our friends that just got their floor done in their reno (mind you, they had a generous budget, money was not an issue, lucky them!). Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 7Feb 17, 2009 12:15 pm Hi,
has anyone used World of Timber at Castle Hill? we are looking at Blackbutt solid timber floors - but are tossing up between the pre-finished timber (about $2k cheaper for our house) vs the timber than is sanded and polished on-site. Some supply/installers seem to understand very little about their product . Clarity - any chance I could get the info on a PM as well? its hard to find much info on here about timber in Sydney. I am finding this decision much harder even than choosing the bricks or roof of the house! Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 8Feb 17, 2009 3:43 pm OK, seeing there is a demand for Sydney info on Solid Timber Floor, I'll pass on the details of who and what we used.
What we did with our floor was buy from a supplier and install from someone different. Reason? The cost of laying the floor by the people we brought the timber from was about $7500 more than who we chose to lay the floor. Timber brought from: Nash Timbers. Floor installed, sanded and sealed by: D.S. Prestige Floor Coverings. They were very professional and really nice guys. Nash Timbers don't have a show room, (or didn't at the time we ordered) but we were able to see some of their work. They have layed a spotted gum floor at Westfield Bondi, in the lower food court area where a coffee shop is! Not the best example of a 'domestic' floor but it was good to see it in a high traffic (not to mention rough) area, we were happy! Still happy with the floor, although the mill didn't do a great job at cutting the ends as we're left with about 1mm gap joins... but in saying that, it kind of goes with our look and floor type. ...D.S Prestige Floor Coverings as I said were great with the installation. They even had to return a couple of weeks later to finish as 'we ran out of timber.. We got quotes from 3 other suppliers for timber alone and with installation, and the 2 we used above we the best for us! We even had some suppliers send us samples from interstate! We had a list of all the people we made contact with, but since we've finished, we haven't kept that info. It is worth getting at least 2-3 quotes on what timber you want and then installation costs. We found different people have different opinions on things like ply v's battens - plastic v's painting on a water proof substance - letting timber 'acclimatise' v's not! With any profession this will happen, even DR's have different opinions on things!!! IMHO, go with who makes you comfortable and who you feel confident in! Hope this helps. Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 9Feb 17, 2009 10:48 pm Thanks Clarity!
Oh the Mont, I hear you! it is very hard to choose. At least with the bricks is only the colour and they only give you a couple suppliers, with the timber floors there's soooo many places to get the timber from and let's not start about how many people lays floors! Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 10Feb 18, 2009 9:33 am Jochicho Thanks Clarity! Oh the Mont, I hear you! it is very hard to choose. At least with the bricks is only the colour and they only give you a couple suppliers, with the timber floors there's soooo many places to get the timber from and let's not start about how many people lays floors! So true. I also heard stories about people getting ripped off for not getting the right timber, etc. Are there some kind of standards or certification of the timber that the suppliers need to have? If I am paying lots of $$$ for select grade blackbutt or brushbox timber, how am I certain that they are really what they are? I don't think I can tell the difference by just looking at it. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 11Feb 18, 2009 11:26 am I am getting Blackbutt installed as we speak. I bought the timber from http://northernriverstimber.com.au/ . Keep in my mind that there are
atleast 2 types of Blackbutt. Costal Blackbutt (Im told it's better one) and New Engalnd Blackbutt. I also got my own installer. Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 12Feb 18, 2009 9:47 pm Oh Beast, please keep us updated! let us know how it comes up and all that.
I have been meaning to contact Norhern Rivers timbers and get a quote, but I think I find it harder to also know who to use to lay them... Good luck and I hope they look great when they are finished.... Could we get some pics? Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 13Feb 19, 2009 6:39 am Jochicho Oh Beast, please keep us updated! let us know how it comes up and all that. I have been meaning to contact Norhern Rivers timbers and get a quote, but I think I find it harder to also know who to use to lay them... Good luck and I hope they look great when they are finished.... Could we get some pics? No probs, I will keep you posted. I used an installer from another forum. He is doing a great job. Prices are here http://northernriverstimber.com.au/members/specials.php Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 14Feb 24, 2009 9:18 pm the mont Hi, has anyone used World of Timber at Castle Hill? we are looking at Blackbutt solid timber floors - but are tossing up between the pre-finished timber (about $2k cheaper for our house) vs the timber than is sanded and polished on-site. Some supply/installers seem to understand very little about their product . Clarity - any chance I could get the info on a PM as well? its hard to find much info on here about timber in Sydney. I am finding this decision much harder even than choosing the bricks or roof of the house! Hi The Mont, did you end up finding out if anyone has used "World of Timber" at Castle Hill? I got a quote from them (just an over the phone quote) and their prices seem reasonable but obviously don't know if they are ok or not... Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 15Feb 25, 2009 6:11 am Hi Jochicho,
no, haven't heard any comments on them. as you say, their quotes seem reasonable. the guy seems to know what he is talking about. we are waiting until we get DA approved and then we can lock in someone for the floors. we will prob end up going with WOT. still not sure whether to go with the pre-finished timber or the sand-and-polish onsite type. what are you thinking? the pre-finished is about 2k cheaper for our 100m2 of floor cheers The Mont Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 16Feb 25, 2009 8:06 pm Clarity We found different people have different opinions on things like ply v's battens - plastic v's painting on a water proof substance - letting timber 'acclimatise' v's not! With any profession this will happen, even DR's have different opinions on things!!! IMHO, go with who makes you comfortable and who you feel confident in! Hope this helps. HI Clarity, I have found the same, some swear by laying it on battens, some on ply... acclimatise for 2 weeks, for one, etc... Did you end up laying it on ply or battens? Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 17Feb 25, 2009 8:12 pm the mont Hi Jochicho, no, haven't heard any comments on them. as you say, their quotes seem reasonable. the guy seems to know what he is talking about. we are waiting until we get DA approved and then we can lock in someone for the floors. we will prob end up going with WOT. still not sure whether to go with the pre-finished timber or the sand-and-polish onsite type. what are you thinking? the pre-finished is about 2k cheaper for our 100m2 of floor cheers The Mont Hi The Mont, yeah, their prices are very reasonable. we'll probably go back on the weekend to meet with them and get a more detailed quote. We've been considered the pre-finished just because of the price, but I am not huge on the finish, a bit too shiny for my liking. I like much better the oil matt finish, looks more natural. If you can afford it I would go with raw and then sand it and polish on site, but then again you might like the shiny finish and if that's the case that finish apparently is quite hard and durable... and of course it's much quicker as you only have to lay it and it's finished! I think it's a very personal choice. You need to put the pre-finish next to the raw and then polished floorboards and compare and see which one you like best. I've also started to consider (if we can afford it of course) installing the 130mm wide boards (in lieu of the 80mm ones), I just love the look of the wider boards and of course they are not available in pre-finished... Good luck and let us know what you decide! I'll let you know too Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 18Feb 25, 2009 8:53 pm In regards to ply or batten, personally, I'd prefer ply. It is more solid to walk. If one can afford, is there any reason batten is actually better??
For acclimatisation, if you got space to store the timber and can afford to wait for 2 weeks before install, I don't see any harm done. It is just safer to do it than not. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 19Feb 25, 2009 9:08 pm Thank you all who responded! After some more research from the info you have given, I think the important point is not about picking a company who can supply and install vs supply only and then find a separate installer. Rather, I think it is more important that you know where the timber comes from (which mill and harvest) and their machinery and grading are to australian standard. For installer, make sure you can see previous jobs they have done and are happy with their workmanship. Of course, if supplier and installer are both the same company, then it is a lot less hassle to organise
Just my 2 cents Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: How would you order and install your solid timber floor? 20Feb 25, 2009 9:12 pm Well said Eho, not sure how you can always find out what mill the timber comes from though...
I spoke to DS Floor coverings and he seems really nice and helpfull, he can also supply the wood, but how do I know where he gets it from? He mentioned that he does a lot of business with Northern Rivers Timbers but that he buys the timber directly from the mill... Someone should write a book about solid timber floors! Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 16261 Thanks mate. Yeah good points! Leaning towards Option 3 to get a bit extra space in the cabinets but not going too crazy high (and expensive). Would require a mini… 13 40552 This is the current bathroom with a european laundry. Overall internal dimensions are 3.69 wide and 3.65m deep, including the footprint of the laundry. There is a toilet… 0 11215 |