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Hello builders - I've never heard this before. I'm investing in a new home and going through a volume builder. During the "design center option selecting" phase, they said they unable to put wood on the stairway and second floor. Not that they don't want to, but that they are unable to. Carpet only.
Yes I did ask why, but no I do not remember the reason, so please don't ask me why.
Does this make sense to anyone? I think it's due to a lack of subfloor? Is this basically saying even if I hire my own contractors they can't put wood due to structural issues?
That's just them being "cheap" and saying no, it's not possible, so they don't have to calculate & quote it. Keeps their costs down because they can buy THAT much more volume in carpet and get a better deal.
We're building a home with a volume builder right now ourselves, and he does all the stairs in wood in our particular neighborhood. Our upstairs landing & hallways will also be wood. The upstairs bedrooms will be carpet, but we did have the option of doing hardwood if we wanted. But, it was just too cost-prohibitive for us at this time. The kids can deal with carpet!
I realize things can vary depending on your region, but I don't know of any structural reason why wood couldn't be put on stairs or second floor. They just don't want to.
If it is a structural issue, that house has a weird structure. I have wood on the second floor of my house. It's been there for about 20 years with no problems.
Could be that they have cut so many corners that it is impossible....weight, space, piping, electrical, duct work, subfloor, or????...that there is no way to install/carry the load. It could be something as simple as he doesn't put insulation between the floors and, with carpet, the noise is muffled. With hardwood, people would be complaining about noise.....and his "no insulation" short cut would be revealed.
Is this house already constructed? It could be that they have the carpet down, or the moldings in place, or other dimensional installations that putting in the hardwood would be quite a "project".
I have to say I have never seen a location where it "couldn't" be done. Not always "easy", but never impossible.
ps....how could there be a lack of subfloor on the second floor? Even the carpet has to have something to lay on So, no, I don't think that's the case!
If I had to guess, I would say their problem is probably the stairs. Maybe they are using only cheaper prefab stairs, that are designed for carpet. Since they won't do wood stairs, they can't do wood on the second floor, because it would look weird.
Yes I did ask why, but no I do not remember the reason, so please don't ask me why.
If you were given a reason- why are you asking here? We're not the builder! Whatever the reason, it's theirs- right or wrong, money, kickbacks, scheduling, warranty, etc., etc., etc. It is what it is! Either like it and close on the house, or find another (more accommodating) builder.
ps....how could there be a lack of subfloor on the second floor? Even the carpet has to have something to lay on So, no, I don't think that's the case!
That's what I remember they said. Don't you usually need a subfloor on top of the structural plywood?
Quote:
Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr
If you were given a reason- why are you asking here? We're not the builder! Whatever the reason, it's theirs- right or wrong, money, kickbacks, scheduling, warranty, etc., etc., etc. It is what it is! Either like it and close on the house, or find another (more accommodating) builder.
Lol so blunt. I'll just email and ask them again
To everyone - Cost is not an issue (for me). Of course I know it's possible - I'm currently typing this from upstairs where I have wood in this house. Either way, I just sent them an email. This isn't a big deal for me as it's an investment home, I'm just curious cause it seems so odd and I have never encountered this before
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So, no, I don't think that's the case!
