Ryan -
I’m doing ‘better-than-average-quality’ Lonnie Deals, and would like your (and everyone’s) opinion on the prices I’m paying for flooring (and overall for the home). I think I’m getting screwed, but please let me know what your experience has been. My typical deal is a 1999 Fleetwood 16x80 that I’ll buy for $8,000, put $7,200 into fixing up, and pay $3,600 to move/skirt/utilities. $19,000 is usually my total cost, tops. I’ll then sell this home for $29,900 on 10 year terms, 12%+ interest ($550 total monthly payment inclusive of lot rent) = 35% IRR.
Here are my actual flooring costs to completely re-do my most recent 16x80 home:
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Alloc Laminate Flooring 326.74 s.f. x $1.95 = $637.14
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Alloc Dual Reducers 4 x $15.40 = $61.60
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Alloc Monotrack 4 x 8.99 = $35.96
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Rapid Roll Underlay 3 x $35 = $105
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Base Board (pine, 2 1/4") 120 l.f. x .54 = $64.80
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Pad (3/8", 6#) 61.33 s.y. x $1.69 = $103.65
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Labor for Laminate Flooring 326.74 s.f. x $2 = $653.48
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Labor for Base Board 120 l.f. x $1.25 = $150
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Labor for Reducers 44 l.f. x $1 = $44
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Vinyl 44.33 s.y. x $9 = $398.97
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Carpet/Vinyl Transition 12 l.f. x $1 = $12
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Labor for Vinyl 44.33 s.y. x $8.99 = $398.53
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Labor to remove old Vinyl 44.33 s.y. x $4.50 = $199.49
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Labor to remove/reinstall 2 toilets 2 x $75 = $150
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Vinyl Delivery Fee 1 x $15 = $15
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Labor to move in/out appliances 4 x $15 = $60
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Labor to install carpet 61.33 s.y. x $4.50 = $275.99
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Carpet 61.33 s.y. x $6.97 = $427.47
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Replace rotted sub-floor in bath w. plywood = $85
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1 Gal. Clorox bleach to kill black mold = $3
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Labor to scrub moldy floor = $15
= $4,015.18 Total
I then spent about $3,200 to paint this house inside, replace some doors, windows, knobs, minor plumbing/shower repairs, other make-ready and get a maid.
So how do I cut costs? In defense of my flooring guy, he does excellent-quality work quickly with good quality materials and supplies everything - vinyl, carpet and laminate, labor, etc. But I’d like to pay less to completely re-floor a 16x80. Also, please note I’ve been putting laminate in the living room and hallway and vinyl in the kitchen. Should I do the opposite like you did?
Many thanks for all your constructive help,
-jl-