Does laying flooring include caulking the skirting?
I've had new engineered wood flooring installed, and new skirtings put in. Some finishing details have been left undone so I want to know what is their job and what is mine? Should the flooring guys have caulked the skirting? Should they have punched the nails? Should the plasterer do the mist coat? (He said this is usually diluted contract matt so does that count as decorating, which I am doing?)
While I can caulk, I will need to travel around 2 hours rtn to buy a nail punch. And I don't want to mess up the mist coat. Shouldn't they do it? The quote didn't specify every tiny step, but it doesn't seem fair that I need to buy tools and DIY a job that I've paid thousands of pounds for.
Advice from 14 local tradespeople
I personally think they should have done the skirting and the caulking too. They should include the cost of the nails and all other materials is the price or quote. This is my personal opinion of course, but I would have done those things.
Yes should be caulking in the skirting
Laying flooring typically does not include caulking the skirting (baseboards). The primary tasks involved in laying flooring are:
1. Preparing the subfloor.
2. Laying the flooring material (e.g., hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or tile).
3. Ensuring the flooring is properly aligned and secured.
Caulking the skirting boards, or baseboards, is generally considered a finishing task that falls under the broader category of trim work or finish carpentry. This task involves sealing gaps between the skirting boards and the wall or the floor to provide a clean, finished look and prevent drafts or moisture from entering.
In some cases, if you hire a contractor to lay your flooring, you can negotiate additional services, including caulking the skirting, but it is not typically included as a standard part of the flooring installation process.
The skirting should have been done by the builder, and the nails should not stick out, when plastering is done it depends on the clients if they want to do the decorating themselves, usually mist coat should be from the plasterers, I think they over quoted you and is a rip off if they don't do those little bits.
The caulking & mist coat would be the decorators responsibility
The nail head punch I would request the carpenter back to complete the hole punch or failing that a flat head screwdriver and hammer would be suffice to knock flush to then proceed with the decorating
Depending on what's agreed .. but 100% nails should have been punched
If necessary Yes
Usually yes, we sealing the edge
And if the skirting have any movement from nail we try to fix it
The flooring job depends of what was agreed but it should be a finished project with the skirting on top of the flooring for better finish or trim around the skirting chalk should never be used as incorrect product
Hi so in regards to your questions.
No the plasterer does not have to mist coat unless it was originally quoted for.
Yes the nails should have been punched in.
Yes the flooring guys should have caulked the skirting and left you with a finished floor.
Laying flooring itself typically does not include caulking the skirting, but caulking can be an important part of the finishing process. After installing the flooring and skirting boards (baseboards), you may need to caulk the gap between the skirting and the wall or floor to achieve a clean, finished look. Caulking helps to fill any small gaps and can also prevent dust and dirt from accumulating. This step is usually done after the flooring is laid and the skirting is attached.
The floor guys should caulk and punch nail holes.the mist coat should be done by the decorator
All nails should have been punched and filled skirting boards caulked and ready for painting. All tasks should have been clearly stated in the quote. All tasks should be completed to a standard that doesn’t hold up the next stage, in this case decorating. You should not need to purchase any tools no matter how small to complete work that you’ve paid for.
Usually a painter would paint and caulk skirting after the joiner has finished however I do tend to caulk my skirting when I finish myself so the painter only has to fill the nail holes and paint . They should have punched the nails in though yes that's part of the job .
I would say the caulking would be down to the decorator, unless this was spoken about prior to installation. The nails should have been punched in though, I agree there.
