Sonny wrote:
They went to a local mill and got prices, which really are not bad.

The first site with prices, $3.00/bd ft for 1X8 kiln dried rough cut
hemlock: http://www.sawbiz.com/products/1_inch_lumber.html


The price he got yesterday was $2.40 per square foot. Not a mistake - he
asked for square foot pricing. That was a kiln dried, planed price.


His thought is that he can
end up with more lumber for less money,

Half as much lumber for half the price of 1" stock!

Well - he is hoping to end up with a better price by not planing the wood.
It is quite possible that even if the sawyer would do the resaw for him, it
would not end up any cheaper.


Just some figures -
For a 2000 sq ft house, buying 1" boards @ $3/ bd ft = $6K

Buying 1000 bd ft and resawing @ $0.30/ bd ft (guessing) would total:
$3K + $350 = $3,350. *Planing boards cost $0.60/bd ft, so I guessed
resawing would be half as much as planing.

For hardwood flooring to cost only $6K to cover the whole house is
pretty darn cheap. Saving $2650 and have a subpar(?) floor may not
be a good deal. If the house and its flooring is in great shape, why
not keep it that way? Don't sacrifice your home's quality, in order
to have a new planer.


The existing flooring is just subfloor. It had been carpeted throughout.
And... in an ugly 1970's carpet! Maintained immaculately - you would not
believe how clean everything that they tore up was. But - new floors are
certainly in order.

He priced new carpet and he can do floors in wood for what the carpet guys
want - if he goes the route of the local mill and installs it himself. He's
very capable of installing and finishing the floors - including sanding
them, so he has lots of great options.

--

-Mike-