Would you be offended? Flooring installer

GildedIcon · June 2012

I am annoyed and offended. I met a finishing carpenter that I really liked and I had him out to see our house to give me a quote. I would like a HW laminate installed in our lower level. He declared that houses in our price point DO NOT have laminate, and I really need to rethink my plans!Mind you, this is an UNFINISHED basement!! We have NO plans to finish the basement, we already have more space than we know what to do with. I was not asking him for decor. advice. I left him with, "I will get back to you....."Would you be annoyed?

TarHeels&Rebels · June 2012

No, I would not be offended because I think his point is a completely valid one, one that I personally make on here all the time. You have to choose the right flooring for your neighborhood, otherwise you're just screwing yourself later when you go to sell. Laminate's nothing more than pretty plastic - in my area, appraisers give it the same value as sheet vinyl and carpet.

What I'm confused by is which level of the house this is going on. You talk about the lower level and the basement. I am completely confused as to why you're installing any flooring in an unfinished basement - that makes no sense whatsoever. But if by lower level you mean the main floor, then I think he's right on the money if that's what your neighborhood demands.

GildedIcon · June 2012

I was not clear, our lower level is a basement, it is a walk-out so most people call it a lower level. Because it is unfinished I call it a basement. It is about 1200 sq of storage, I have the area filled with shelving units. For cleaning reasons I want a flooring installed, so I selected a laminate, it was much le$$ than the vinyl I picked out, but still pretty and easy to clean. If we would finish the area for some unforeseen reason we would have the floors re-done at that time. Our living levels are real HW. sorry for the confusion.

TarHeels&Rebels · June 2012

I think a laminate's fine for a walk-out. I still don't think the installer was out of line; I don't agree with him since it is a walk-out, but I don't think his comment was offensive.

MirandaHobbes · June 2012

Meh, no, I wouldn't be offended. I had a flooring guy say something similar to me- he came out to give an estimate on hardwood for our 3 season porch. I was appalled how expensive it was and then told him I'd start looking at hardwood laminate and he bluntly told me it would look stupid in our 3 season porch because the rest of our house is hardwood. He's right. We're going with tile (cheap, and we can install ourselves).

LS45 · June 2012

Seems weird to me that he would suggest hardwoods in a basement in the first place. Wouldn't the potential moisture in an unfinished basement warp the wood?

trinakb · June 2012

I may be a little offended because you didn't solicate his opinion.

But how's this for an insult....last week we had carpet installed in the family room. The installer was seriously one of the most negative people I've ever met. After he declares himself finished and starts packing up THAT is when he says "you know you would be better off with hardwood, you will just have to replace this when your DS is 10 and then again when he is 18." Umm...yea but I like carpet in family rooms and hardwood would be triple the price but whatever. And then when he saw a couple other rooms we need to have flooring done to eventually (my house was a forclosure and it's a work in progress) he says "i would just sell this place." Now I thought THAT was insulting and I was very much offended!!

judy201 · June 2012

Don't get offended but rather take his word for it IF IT MAKES SENSE. You definitely would want to hear a professional advice before jumping in to some thing, but yet there are those that give there opinion according to the bigger sale so I would listen for the reason why he suggests and do research on it. So yes, you did smart by saying I will get back to you... now do your research on it in your neighborhood if its true what he said.

judy201 · June 2012

roooooood! Please stay away from negative people!!!! You will never change them but they might change you (for the worse)!!! Share some photos of that carpet, we wanna compliment you on it...

Looking forward....

-auntie- · June 2012

Offended? No.

He's a lot more familiar with what is customary and expected in your community. Think of it as "expert advice". Where I live anyone who has a walk-out/daylight basement has them finished to some degree. About 75% have a powder room or full bath.

GildedIcon · June 2012

I was not soliciting his advice. We already have thousands of sq. feet we do not use and 2 toilets per person.We can/will finish our basement only if WE NEED m o r e space. In the meantime I could not care less what my neighbors have or the next owners want.

Cortney1982 · June 2012

I wouldn't be offended, he was trying to help. But you know what works for you. I myself wouldn't put the money on hardwood floors for an unfinished basement if I had no plans to change it for at least 5 years. Sooner than that is a waste of money.

+PuppyWuppy+ · June 2012

No, I would not be annoyed. When we were originally renovated our bathroom, our contractor told us he did not like the finishes we picked out. At first I was like WHAT? But after we thought about it for awhile, we realized that he was right. And thank God we listened to him.

Passanie · July 2012

It's a basement, for Pete's sake. He's trying to upsell you. I can see how it would bug you. If it does, find someone else with more social skills.

NassauBride · July 2012

I would not be offended but I think the installer is wrong.

If you are insatlling flooring in a space that will remain unfinished I think it is a waste to put anything other than vinyl or laminate. Go ahead and have your laminate installed (by a different installer.) Smile

Pitterbull · July 2012

I would be annoyed. You didn't ask for his advice and you are very clear on what your needs are. Personally I've not dealt with any contractors that I would take design or finish advice from anyway.

Oh, and the comment above by trinakb would totally piss me off too. Obviously your house isn't perfect and updated or you wouldn't be having people come in to do work! Geez.

Would you be offended? Flooring installer

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