In a quandry....

[judy]

I'm getting my new dishwasher on Thursday, and want to have it installed on Friday. I also have been wanting to change my downstairs flooring since I can't keep the laminate I have looking nice and clean. It shows every streak, footprint, etc. and has to be polished dry after it is washed.

Jessie told me about vinyl planks, which I posted about here. I went to look at them today at Home Depot. They are quite nice, and look like they would be easy to care for. They are distressed, not glossy, and lighter than what I have now.

I was told that they can be installed right on top of my floating laminate flooring.
I did some online research and am not sure about this. Some sites say a concrete floor is best to lay the planks on. I have subflooring under the laminate. I think I will call the company tomorrow. I also want to see how the vinyl looks in the sun on my floor. I took home a few sampleas. I can get another laminate if I decide against the vinyl.

I have someone to put on my washing machine. He is very good, charges $50/hour, and is reliable.

Home Depot will put the new floor in in one day. It is costly, but they guarantee their work for one year. They won't disconnect my monitor (kerosene heater) to
lay the planks under it. I can get Richie to do it. He is the head honcho of maintenance here. They will charge me about $950 for installation. Figure $1200 by the time all is said and done. The dishwasher guy, John charges $50/hour. Figure $150 tops. Then, there is the cost of the monitor being hooked up, etc. I also need edging in some places with the flooring, and I don't know if Home Depot does that.

Now, here is the quandary....Steve (my SIL) will do both jobs, including everything (monitor, moldings, etc., etc.) for $1500. He refuses to put the vinyl planks over my laminate and would be removing it. He says that with contraction and shrinking of the 2 floors, it is a really bad idea. It might be. He also will take it home with him, which he insists is not such a great deal because blah, blah, blah.

He will take about 2 weeks to do everything, if he comes on a regular basis. He, of course, does not guarantee the flooring installation for a year, and if I do need him to come back, it could take 2 years.

Truthfully, I dcon't want him to do any of this work. I don't need him here for 2 weeks, mnaking a mess, possibly unnecessarily removing the flooring that is already there. He isn't reliable as far as coming every day or finishing on time. He also owes me $200, which he added into his fee, meaning that I will be out $1700.

His work is absolutely perfect though, and I do not want to hurt his feelings. I also do not want to start any family trouble. He is very sensitive, and Jessie is very protective of him. So...what seems to be very obviously the right thing (use my dishwasher guy and Home Depot to do the work) could really damage my relationship with them.

By the way, for anyone who mighrt be thinkoing that I can afford $2000 for new flooring - I wish! I am getting a nice check from my pension fund. Something the union fought for in the way they figured our pensions. I also found out yesterday that Social Security is sending me a nice check because they figured doubt my monthly payments incorrect. Nice, huh?

[Janet]

I've seen some of the vinyl planks and it's nice. I want it have it in my home so bad...we'll see, maybe someday. Maybe when I have another litter I could use some of that money. Vinyl planks look so nice Judy.

I would save yourself the frustration and have Steve take care of his place and you take care of yours. You'll have it done and not have to get upset with Steve for taking so long. After all, he's not the one that has to live in the mess.

[DianaB]

You've put up with things not getting done and I know that you're just ready to have things finished and put back in order. Tell Steve that....and that they can have it done in one day so you won't have to live with a mess for long and that's what you'd prefer. Tell him that you know how busy he is and just leave it at that. I'd definitely go with Home Depot. Good luck!!

[Blueyes]

Tell him you need everything done in a hurry so you can decorate for Christmas, and you KNOW he is SO busy....you just don't want to trouble him

[judy]

He isn't even working! I don't know if I can get away with the "you are so busy"
excuse. I was thinking about the "Home Depot guarantees their installation for a year excuse."

Having slept on it though, I am not sure I want the vinyl planks. I may go with a different laminate than I have now. They do wear very well, and I don't know anyone who has the vinyl planks. My laminate does have scratches in some places, and has a couple of bubbles, which may have come from moisture. I don't know. It's a floor, and they do get damaged. The thing is, vinyl scratches white, which I don't like. On the other hand, if a plank gets ruined, you can just take it up and replace it. I don't consider that the vinyl withstands moisture much of a factor. The dogs just don't pee that much!!! They are little yorkies!

So, I am having the dishwasher done by the dishwasher guy, using the excuse that he is going to do it on Thursday when it is delivered.

If I get the laminate floor, I will have Steve do it because the floor I have now will have to be taken up anyway. I'm not giving himn $1500!
I think $1000 is fair.

[paula1961]

Good luck Judy! I know how it goes when family is involved. It's so hard to say no even though you really want to. Hopefully he will get the laminate down in a timely manner. My son laid our laminate, he stayed here with us which was just fine, but he would take so many breaks it was pitiful lol! He would get a little bit done and then be in the living room watching tv, I got so aggravated but did I say anything to him? Absolutely not! The floors turned out really good but a one day job lasted almost a week. That's just how it goes with kids

[Blueyes]

I'm glad you decided what to do, Judy. Nobody in my family knows how to do anything, so I always have to hire things done, lol!! No wonder you feel like you should hire him since he's not working right now!

[Gina]

Judy your in a hard place. Its tough because he is family and out of work. If you have to pay someone I can understand you paying your SIL and knowing that he will do a good job. But you should express to him that you want it done before the holiday , I think that is resonable and since he has no other jobs there should be no excuse.

Btw you don't need to feel that you have to justify to us on spending money on your place . God bless you , if you can afford it go for it!

[gja1000]

Judy, you really do have a quandry. I'm afraid both Steve and your daughter may be upset if you don't let Steve do the work. And I"m sure they need the money.

I think I would set a date by which the work HAS to be done - or else! Of course, I have no idea what the "or else" would be!!!

[judy]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Judy, you really do have a quandry. I'm afraid both Steve and your daughter may be upset if you don't let Steve do the work. And I"m sure they need the money.

I think I would set a date by which the work HAS to be done - or else! Of course, I have no idea what the "or else" would be!!!

Isn't the devil always in those little details?

I have to go back and pick it out, and possibly order the laminate. I will try to think of a reason why it has to be done by a certain date, when I have some idea of when I am getting it. I have learned that the best way to deal with these types of situations is to make something up (whatever works), and lie like an rug!