Vinyl over Vinyl in Kitchen

I recently had some vinyl laid in the kitchen. I advised the store that the original vinyl was laid on a concrete slab and that the previous installer used a full glue instead of a perimeter glue. The store stated that they would have to lay 6 sheets of 4x8 1/4 inch Luan underlayment before putting down the new vinyl and then they would have to use some type of leveling compound to fill the cracks in the Luan. When the installers arrived, they advised that they could not put down the Luan because they would have to nail it to the floor and that could not be done on the concrete slab. They said they would just put down the leveling compound and that would save alot of money compared to the Luan underlayment. Well. . . I called the store and asked that they take the $300.00 charge for the Luan underlayment off my bill and they said that the leveling compound costs $1.75 per square foot and that he would only charge me $1.50 per square foot making it $301.50 (which is what I was billed for the installation). There is also a charge on my bill for $80.40 for floor prep. My floor is 12x16'9" (201 sq ft.)

I feel like they are trying to rip me off. Can anyone advise?

Thanks!

 

They are trying to rip you off.

Bad thing is, if you signed a contract for a set amount and it isn't itemized out what is charged for what. You are then responsible for the full amount.

Embossing a 12x17 room isn't going to take but one bag of Ardex SD-f at $12.80 per bag, my cost. I charge the customer $25 per bag. Then $67.50 per hour to put it down. So, about $92.50 would have been the embossing fee. Give or take.
So the $80.40 sounds about right for floor prep, because I know I'm am on the higher priced side of things.

The sales geek didn't know what he was talking about. Tell them to take it out of their pay. Why should you pay for something you didn't get???


There are some very unscrupulous flooring dealers out there!!! It is always best to have your own installer, to look out for your best interest.
Stores installers don't dare squeal, or the retailer will starve them out for doing so.

 

Perry,
I did have an itemized bill. It shows:

201 sq ft of Prelude 02015 at .72 for a total cost of 144.72.
12x16'9" installation fee 1.50 for a total of 301.50.
6 sheets of 4x8 1/4" Luan Underlayment 50.00 for a total of 300.00.
12' covebase - brown 1.50 for a total of 18.00.
metal for 3 stairs 3.00, R&R baseboard 33.00, floor prep for 201 sq ft 80.40, move furniture and appliances 80.00 for a total of 196.40 and a Grand total of 960.62.

After the installation, I called the sales department and explained that I wanted the 300.00 removed from my bill as the Luan was not used. He tried to say that the cost of the leveling compound was 1.75 a sq ft for a total of 301.50 (more than the Luan and the same price as the installation!)

What would you recommend that I do?

Thanks in advance!!
Elaine

 

i'll have to agree with perry on this one,how can the embossing of a floor come anywhere near the cost of putting down new luan?It can't,you need to explain to this salesman that there is no possible way that this bill is right.How can skimming the floor[appr. 20 min.+ dry time]come any where near cutting in 6 sheets luan, nailing with spot nailer, patching,sanding seams[appr.3 hours]which by the way would eliminate any need for floor prep unless the floor was really in bad shape,cause all that is figured into the luan price at 50.00$ a sheet it only costs around 10$,he needs to be told in no uncertain terms that you are not happy with being taken advantage of and you want at the minimum 1/2 of that knocked off +the 80 for the floor prep as that would be taken care of in the embossing process

 

Now I'm totally confused. I had called and asked that the Vinyl store remove the $300.00 charge for the Luan underlayment and instead, they deducted the $300.00 plus the $80.40 for the floor prep and added $301.50 so they reimbursed me $78.90. I want the $300.00 back for the Luan that they did not use. What can I do?

 

That's what hey are hoping for.

You are being GOUGED for the floor prep. $1.75 per sq foot for emboss leveling (what your floor prep is called) is out of control. DO NOT pay this bill.

They can not charge you for work that was not done and materials that were not installed. You did not sign off for $300 worth of emboss leveling. In the meantime, call a few other flooring contractors in your area and find out what they chagre for emboss leveling. Its usually an hourly charge. How long did it take your contractor?

Send them a check for the material and the installation MINUS the $300 for the luan (which is a substandard underlayment anyway)
Tell them to sue you for the $300, no judge in his right mind is going to find in their favor

 

You have found one of the unscrupulous retailers of the world!

Stand your ground. I hope you have not paid for this.

 

I was just wondering if you resoved your "issue" with the unscrupulous retailer you were dealing with? Is there anything we can do to help just let me and Perry know.

We installers know what its like to deal with retailers like this.
If they treat their customers like this, imagine how they threat the people that work for them!!!

I've gone to war more than once to get money owed to me.

 

No I haven't resolved this issue yet. I have contacted several vinyl installers here in Columbus Ohio and have only heard from one of them and they say I'm being ripped off. I have already tried to speak with the company and that's like talking to a wall. I'm going to contact Angies List and see if they can help me.

I'll keep you posted on the outcome, or I'll contact you for help.

Thanks for all your help!
Elaine