Fixing Up Wood Floors Previously Covered by Carpet...?
I am about to put an offer on a co-op unit, but am a little concerned about the very ugly floor to floor carpet in most of the bedrooms and the expenses that might come along with stripping it and, if necessary, refinishing the wood underneath. They lifted up the carpets and we were able…
I am about to put an offer on a co-op unit, but am a little concerned about the very ugly floor to floor carpet in most of the bedrooms and the expenses that might come along with stripping it and, if necessary, refinishing the wood underneath. They lifted up the carpets and we were able to see the wood beneath, which looked in good condition…but we were only able to see a corner of one room. They said it was pine plank. Is it likely that the wood will be damaged underneath the carpet? and if so, what kind of repairs/costs are associated with fixing it?
I am not very handy and/or knowledgeable about this kind of home improvement..so any advice appreciated!
Thank you.
I Agree with Mopar you just tantalize the owner or co-op not Reproduce silly because the scale also spend
I would not recommend refinishing pine floors yourself. The rental cost, the headache, and it won’t look that good….pine is tricky.
Dave’s suggestion is good. Seems reasonable to insist that you be able to see the entire wood surface. If there’s no real damage (just ordinary wear and tear) refinishing a wood floor is a project you can undertake yourself, even if you don’t consider yourself handy. Read up on it online, rent a sander, then apply a couple of coats of poly. I did it when I was in my 20s with absolutely no prior experience. Avoid over-sanding, then go slowly at the varnish stage cleaning up very carefully between each coat. Truth is, a homeowner can be more meticulous than a contractor.
You just mention the bedrooms having carpet, what’s on the floors in the other rooms? As an aside, do the rules of the house require floor coverings?
If you need someone honest and reliable to give you an estimate for whatever refinishing work might be required, I highly recommend Adrian Martinez – 347.255.9193. His pricing came in beyond competitive. I actually brought him in after other flooring people messed up royally and couldn’t have been happier with him. My work was a combination of refinishing and replacement of damaged flooring.
I’m with you – I’d want to know what was under there before I bought. If the sellers are amenable, can you pick up more and look? Perhaps after you make an offer – if they like the offer (you aren’t committed at this point on a verbal offer), they might let you take more of a look. I would, were I the seller, because my goal would be to sell! And it isn’t like others won’t have the same question – I mean, how many people now live with wall to wall over wood floors? It’s been an outdated look for decades.
When I was looking for a place, I always wondered if rugs were covering stains. When I sold, I sent all my rugs out to be cleaned, so people could see all my floors.
Pulling back wall to wall carpeting is THE MOST EXCITING THING IN THE WORLD! You have no idea what’s under there. You could be surprised with beautiful floors. Or, write a huge checks to put all new flooring in. Embrace it!
I’ve seen a few coops with fully carpeted floors, and the flooring underneath was generally in good shape; it was typically covered because the coop required 85% carpeting on the floors.
Worst case scenario, if you have to replace wooden flooring completely, it should cost under $5/sq foot for oak hardwood, and $2/sq foot for installation if your contractor isn’t licensed.
Unfortunetely you will never know until the carpet is removed. Be hopeful no one ever had a dog and the dog did wee wee, because that soaks through the carpet and into the floors thus making the wood turn black. I can attest to that.