Lift flooring or not

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PaulSC

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Hi All,

Going to do a small job at a 1920/30's house next week and while I'm there the guy wants me to quote for a ground floor ring final rewire. However, a couple of the rooms have what looks like original strip hardwood flooring (about 2 inch wide) with I guess hidden nailing.

I'm not happy about lifting the flooring (these arn't floorboards) as they are so well fitted (like most stuff built around that era). The other option is drop down from first floor, though a couple of the rooms are newly decorated (why do people think about major work AFTER decorating). The only other option I can think of is surface mount trunking, though customer hates visible cables.

Any suggestions anyone?

Rock and a hardplace ..... :C

Paul

 
lift door matt cut trap and spend the next couple of hours dancing with your roll of 2.5 under the floor. Only option is to get under mate.

 
must be just round here then a fair bit of room in some.

 
must be just round here then a fair bit of room in some.
in some. most there isnt enough for even a roll of cable

but i did do a job once where it was 3mtr deep under the floor... needed extension ladders to get access (house was on side of very steep hill)

 
Thanks Sellers,

I had a 30's house about 5 years ago which had a good 2-3 feet to roll around in, apart from the kitchen. I'll have a poke around to see if theres access elsewhere.

Am I right in thinking the 'posh' flooring was usually only fitted to the hall way and main reception room? If so I reckon I should be able to find some standard floorboards elsewhere, which must have been lifted at some point if there's central heating installed.

If not, I guess I'll put it down to experience and politely walk away from the extra work.

 
don't walk away mate, give the customer the possible options they've got. If they don't want any of them give them a number of a local magician they might be able to help ;)

 
Another problem with lifting old floorboards they may look good but can be full of woodworm and break when you try to lift them . You are not popular with customer if this happens.

 
You may have answered it yourself , Paul, the hall may be posh wooden flooring ( which you will have trouble getting up) but the rooms may be ordinary boards specially if central heating is installed.

I think you may find either a trap or they can be lifted.

Deke

 
I have been in a similar predicament in some rented houses and the landlord paid a joiner to dismantle and lift the floor, then when the work was finished he came back and put it down again.

If the client is insisting he does'nt want trunking on the walls then it might be worth suggesting to him that he hires a joiner to take the floor up- then put it down again when the work is finished.

 
Thanks Sellers,I had a 30's house about 5 years ago which had a good 2-3 feet to roll around in, apart from the kitchen. I'll have a poke around to see if theres access elsewhere.

Am I right in thinking the 'posh' flooring was usually only fitted to the hall way and main reception room? If so I reckon I should be able to find some standard floorboards elsewhere, which must have been lifted at some point if there's central heating installed.

If not, I guess I'll put it down to experience and politely walk away from the extra work.
our bungalow here has wooden flooring all through the ground floor except kitchen and bathroom, which are concrete floors, i did the hall and lounge sockets under the floor and our sky cabl;ing runs under as well as the pond supply and shed/greenhouse supply. we have floor voids about 2 feet deep which is great, our place was built 1964

 
Why is it we sparks worry about damaging boards? and before you ask, I usually have exactly the same concerns.

But when the plumber comes along, out comes the rotary saw, they rip great big holes in the floor, take up half the floor, then put it back badly. Always without discussing it with the customer, and seemingly without complaint from the customer.

 
Why is it we sparks worry about damaging boards? and before you ask, I usually have exactly the same concerns.But when the plumber comes along, out comes the rotary saw, they rip great big holes in the floor, take up half the floor, then put it back badly. Always without discussing it with the customer, and seemingly without complaint from the customer.
You know what..............THAT'S A BLOODY GOOD POINT ........... :Applaud

It is just so true and I have never thought about it before..... :D

 
Sounds just like us sparks carefully drilling joists in correct places for our cables the mr plumber just takes big chunks out the joists for their pipes without a care about structural integrity. They seem to get away with anything

 
Good point ProDave,

I work on the assumption that as most of what we install everyday will never be seen, make sure that what can be seen is as good as you can make it. I don't need to tell anyone on here that word of mouth is everything.

So, I use a level to install every accessory. Every cable clip will be evenly spaced, even when hidden up in the loft. Plasterwork will be as good as (often better) than what you just hacked of the wall.

Not rocket science or some wierd OCD affliction, it's just what I was taught and expect to see myself when employing other trades.

Perhaps I'm getting too old for this lark ... :z

 
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