Wood flooring is a beautiful and durable flooring option, and yet, it can be expensive to install and maintain. The rising costs of inflation have impacted wood flooring servicing costs in numerous ways.
What Has Caused Wood Flooring Prices to Increase?
Rising cost of materials. The price of wood has increased in recent years due to a number of factors, including increased demand, decreased supply, and the impact of climate change. The price of other materials used in wood flooring, such as adhesives and finishes, has also increased.
Rising cost of labor. The construction industry is facing a labor shortage, which has led to higher wages for construction workers. Wood flooring installers and technicians are in high demand, and their wages have increased accordingly.
Rising cost of equipment. Wood flooring machines and tools are expensive, and their prices have been increasing in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, including the rising cost of raw materials, increased demand, and technological advancements.
Increasing complexity of wood flooring installations and repairs. Wood flooring is a complex material, and installing and repairing it correctly requires specialized skills and knowledge. The cost of hiring a qualified wood flooring professional has increased in recent years as the demand for their services has grown.
How to Save Money on Wood Flooring Services
Choose a less expensive wood grade and wood species. The price of wood flooring varies depending on the grade and species of wood. If you are on a budget, you may want to choose a less expensive option. However, keep in mind the lower the grade and the cheaper the wood species, the less durable and less comfortable the floor will be for sports and recreational activities.
Choose a less expensive wood grade for your floor’s perimeter. Choose a higher grade and more expensive species of wood for the center of your floor. This will allow for a more comfortable experience for athletes using the floor. Choose a lower grade, less expensive wood species for the perimeter of your floor.
To save money over time, choose water-based finish. The price of finish varies between water-based and oil-based finish. While water-based finish is more expensive upfront, does not yellow or discolor over time and allows for less maintenance in the long run.
To save money upfront, choose an oil-based finish. If you are facing, or know you will face budgetary restraints for a number of years, oil-based finish is a less expensive finish option upfront. While oil-based finish yellows over time and calls for greater maintenance in the long run, it is extremely durable and leaves a thick protective coat of finish on the floor.
Join a state-based association. States such as Minnesota and North Dakota offer a plethora of benefits for association members, such as five percent off services and the ability to quickly choose an awarded vendor without going through the usual bidding process. This saves you time and money.
FLR Sanders, Inc. has been an awarded vendor of Minnesota’s Cooperative Purchasing Connection (CPC) since 2017. We are also a vendor of the North Dakota Educators Service Cooperative (NDESC).
Be prepared to pay for quality
If you want high-quality wood flooring services, you will need to be prepared to pay for it. Ask each contractor about their pricing and what is included in their estimate(s), such as warranties.
About FLR Sanders, Inc.
For over 25 years, FLR Sanders, Inc. has committed to providing the Midwest with leading sports floor solutions. Our team of sports floor experts is dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services from new installations and repairs to floor coating, graphic creation, and sanding and refinishing. We understand every sports floor project is unique and we strive to support our customers in developing solutions that meet each need.
