Renovating

Hello all, i am new to this forum so please be gentle.
We are about to begin our home renovations, Single Front weatherboard victorian in Seddon, Malbourne. Circa 1920 with wide nailed down floor boards, i dont think they have been touched since installed. Stumping is one of the first areas to address and i am about to appoint a contractor for the job. My wife wants to do the removal and re instalation of the floorboards to cut down costs....:(

I am not to confident about this. How difficult is it to reinstall floorboards, i intend on using the ones i pull out provided they are not rotted or broken. So i have a few questions.

1. Is it worth attempmting for a DIY? I will get the necessary tools but what are the pitfalls when DIY'ers have a go at this?

2. What should a pro charge per sq.m for this work and how long would he take.

If there is anyone who can offer any advice related to my situation, please let me know. :( :( :(

Thanks,

Dave

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Originally Posted by 3dj

Stumping is one of the first areas to address and i am about to appoint a contractor for the job.

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Good idea, have you had a look under the floor? Take some pics so you can get an idea of what the contractor is doing and has done.

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Originally Posted by 3dj

My wife wants to do the removal and re instalation of the floorboards to cut down costs....:(

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Lucky, most DIYer's are the other way around - SWMBO wants to bring the 19yo stud/carpenter do 'the job' professionally, whilst we reckon we can do the lot ourselves, notwithstanding extended timeframe.

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Originally Posted by 3dj

I am not to confident about this. How difficult is it to reinstall floorboards, i intend on using the ones i pull out provided they are not rotted or broken. So i have a few questions.

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Do-able, depends largely on what type of timber the floors are and in what condition they are. Also then depends on the condition of the floor joists and bearers. You probably need to do a thorough reccy on everything your looking at.. From floor up. Condition of your stumps/bearers/termite prevention/joists/floor/load bearing walls/internal and external cladding/ wet areas/ceiling/roof/wiring etc. Once you have done a thorough reccy you can then plan out where to start, what you can do and what you need to subbie out.

Get a draftsman in to draw up some plans for you, give you some ideas and some focus.

Research some of the stuff that has been said on these forums and post some piccies from time to time

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Originally Posted by 3dj

Is it worth attempmting for a DIY? I will get the necessary tools but what are the pitfalls when DIY'ers have a go at this?

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See above

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Originally Posted by 3dj

What should a pro charge per sq.m for this work and how long would he take.

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To pull boards up and replace them, they would probably charge and hourly rate rather than a per sqm rate. Unless you get a quote before hand, but this has it's own pitfalls as well.

Best of luck

Thanks for the quick reply.

I am an interior designer myself so the plans are already done and off to councill for approval. My main concern at the moment is the flooring. Am i dreaming if i think i can get the floors back down in two days? I will have a builder that can help me, i have yet to confirm if he has any experience in what i need but i am almost certain that he does. Am i dreaming?

Also if there is anyone who could give me a general overview of the process of getting the floor back down and the tools required i would appreciate their comments.:confused:

Cheers,

Dave

If you need to get it done in 2 days hire a tradesman. He'll be able to workaround unforeseen problems that will stump a newbie woodie.

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Originally Posted by 3dj

My wife wants to do the removal and re instalation of the floorboards to cut down costs....:(


Dave

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Welcome Dave.

If your wife wants to do that let her. :D

Actually it should not be difficult provided that you can match any new boards that you may need with the existing ones. If not use the new boards in one room and the other rooms with the old boards.

The usual tools are needed (saw, hammer,nailpunch, tape measure etc) but a mitre saw and nailgun are very handy and a great time saver. Make sure that you clamp the boards tightly before nailing to avoid squeeking (sp?) afterwards. If using shorter boards stagger the joints so that they are not obvious.

Peter.

Are you sure that the boards need lifted in the first place?

Once the re-stumping is done you may get away with renailing any loose/ squeaky ones and leave it at that.