why are there not more people installing hardwood floors?

[GasX]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
But I hired a guy to install my hardwood floors because he is so cheap it doesn't make sense to do it myself, and he does a bangup job. No you cannot have his number.

I got a guy too. Not quite as valuable as an honest mechanic, but hey...

 

[Hecubus2000]

Because I like carpet. .... Alot 😀

 

[Homerboy]

Its funny the repsonses in this thread.
OP is commenting on making $$ installing hardwood floors yet the bulk of posts are about the pros/cons of HW over carpet.
Does anyone actually READ anymore (ever)?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Its funny the repsonses in this thread.
OP is commenting on making $$ installing hardwood floors yet the bulk of posts are about the pros/cons of HW over carpet.
Does anyone actually READ anymore (ever)?

no, they don't.

And I love how people like the OP think they've got the greatest idea to make money like no ones discovered it yet. They oversimplify everything then don't understand why they went broke.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Its funny the repsonses in this thread.
OP is commenting on making $$ installing hardwood floors yet the bulk of posts are about the pros/cons of HW over carpet.
Does anyone actually READ anymore (ever)?

I read every word. I just felt like commenting on the fact that I prefer carpet to hard wood.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Its funny the repsonses in this thread.
OP is commenting on making $$ installing hardwood floors yet the bulk of posts are about the pros/cons of HW over carpet.
Does anyone actually READ anymore (ever)?

no, they don't.

And I love how people like the OP think they've got the greatest idea to make money like no ones discovered it yet. They oversimplify everything then don't understand why they went broke.

wtf

I'm trying to find out WHY it isn't a good idea. It's not like installing wood floors is something noone's heard of -

I'm curious as to why there aren't more people doing it - in my area, at least, there don't seem to be many. I never said I'm going to start installing wood floors tomorrow or something

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: zixxer

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Homerboy
Its funny the repsonses in this thread.
OP is commenting on making $$ installing hardwood floors yet the bulk of posts are about the pros/cons of HW over carpet.
Does anyone actually READ anymore (ever)?

no, they don't.

And I love how people like the OP think they've got the greatest idea to make money like no ones discovered it yet. They oversimplify everything then don't understand why they went broke.

wtf

I'm trying to find out WHY it isn't a good idea. It's not like installing wood floors is something noone's heard of -

I'm curious as to why there aren't more people doing it - in my area, at least, there don't seem to be many. I never said I'm going to start installing wood floors tomorrow or something

well, like I said your analysis is flawed. Reputable, professional installers are not installing Costco quality materials, therefore the cost of materials (COM) is much higher, and the profit is less. Add in the multitude of other costs and you make even less. Maybe there is not enough demand in your area for hardwood flooring and businesses have folded. Hard to say, other than it is usually very difficult in construction to make a great living. More often, small subs and installers squeak by due to low profitability and competition.

 

[DarkKnight69]

Originally posted by: zixxer
it's the kind of thing "everyone can't do" - but doesn't require a ton of skill.

getting starting doesn't require a lot:

flooring stapler ($125 for a sh!tty one at harbor freight, $350 for a nice bostich)
truck (not even really required.. since most hardwood has to acclimate and could be delivered directly to the home)
kneepads ~$40 for really nice ones


The cheapest place around here to get solid bamboo is ~$9 sq/ft installed. laminate is ~$6 sq/ft.


I can get prefinished bamboo at costco for ~$1.86, laminate for ~$1.24



That is a huge huge profit - the best part is that it's something you can hire other people to work for you once the business is going well; and if it doesn't then no big deal - you're out a flooring stapler you can resell.





EDIT:

I'm not asking why people don't install it themselves - I'm asking if anyone knows where there aren't more "flooring install" companies - people that specialize in wood/hardwood/laminate and maybe tile.

Laminate and bamboo do little for a hous's resale value. If you are looking to increase resale, do hardwood...simple!

 

[Fritzo]

Installing a wood floor can be a PITA if there are existing floor problems (warped, unlevel, sub floor damage, uneven walls, curved walls, etc).

Plus, in places that have cold winters, carpet keeps the house warmer.

 

[Rubycon]

'Cuz it hurts like hell if you fall on it. 😛

 

[misle]

My father runs a small Hardwood Flooring business in Mid-Missouri. He's always booked about 2 months in advance. Good hardwood flooring (not the prefinished junk) isn't cheap and isn't easy, so expect to pay for it. But it is very nice and will last a lifetime. And it will increase the value of your home.

 

[z42]

It's probably tough to run a flooring business UNLESS you get a contract with a Home Depot type store near you. Almost all of the flooring companies that I have gone to either do the install themselves or have a regular contractor that they recommend. Most people are going to use that person since they are linked to the sales company and have some credibility by association.

You also have to take into account a lot of expense regarding insurance, vehicles, social security, etc that will cut heavily into your profits if you are hiring employees, not to mention lawsuits that arise. If it were easy money, more people would do it.

 

[MaxDepth]

And don't forget a contractor's licens because people really don't want to shell out the big bucks unless you can show up on time, get the job done on time, and are licensed.

But if you and your crew can show up on time, you will have more work than you will possibly want.

 

[lederhosen]

Originally posted by: zixxer
it's the kind of thing "everyone can't do" - but doesn't require a ton of skill.

getting starting doesn't require a lot:

flooring stapler ($125 for a sh!tty one at harbor freight, $350 for a nice bostich)
truck (not even really required.. since most hardwood has to acclimate and could be delivered directly to the home)
kneepads ~$40 for really nice ones


The cheapest place around here to get solid bamboo is ~$9 sq/ft installed. laminate is ~$6 sq/ft.


I can get prefinished bamboo at costco for ~$1.86, laminate for ~$1.24



That is a huge huge profit - the best part is that it's something you can hire other people to work for you once the business is going well; and if it doesn't then no big deal - you're out a flooring stapler you can resell.





EDIT:

I'm not asking why people don't install it themselves - I'm asking if anyone knows where there aren't more "flooring install" companies - people that specialize in wood/hardwood/laminate and maybe tile.

Why buy kneepads when I can use your sisters instead? 😉

 

[brandonbull]

I'm installing engineered wood floating floor over a concrete slab. I will say it's not lazy that keeps people from DIY. This project is at the limits of my abilities and I should have hired a professional to do the job. Getting floors level, laying the moisture barrier, glueing each board together, cutting the boards is not worth the money I'm saving.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: brandonbull
I'm installing engineered wood floating floor over a concrete slab. I will say it's not lazy that keeps people from DIY. This project is at the limits of my abilities and I should have hired a professional to do the job. Getting floors level, laying the moisture barrier, glueing each board together, cutting the boards is not worth the money I'm saving.

removing carpet.. easy..
getting hardwood.. easy..
buying tools needed.. easy..

fixing the floor to make it level for hardwood laydown.. 🙁

 

[Staples]

100% of the floor in my house is tile. I like tile better.

Anyway, wood creaks after 25 years. I hate that.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Staples
100% of the floor in my house is tile. I like tile better.

Anyway, wood creaks after 25 years. I hate that.

Wood *joists* creak after less than 25 years.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Staples
100% of the floor in my house is tile. I like tile better.

Anyway, wood creaks after 25 years. I hate that.

Wood *joists* creak after less than 25 years.

Yep, and you can fix that with $1.00's worth of shims.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Staples
100% of the floor in my house is tile. I like tile better.

Anyway, wood creaks after 25 years. I hate that.

Wood *joists* creak after less than 25 years.

Yep, and you can fix that with $1.00's worth of shims.

whats your point 😛