FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Flooring- sq. ft. per day

Jay345 | Posted in General Discussion on June 18, 2005 06:34am

How many sq. ft. of 31/4″ prefinished flooring can a 2 man crew put down per day? assuming the area is relatively open, maybe a 12 ft. hallway, great rm. and dining rm.   I’m thinking 400 sq. ft. for 2 men to do in 8 hrs. Is that realistic?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Notchman | Jun 18, 2005 06:46pm | #1

    Are the walls all parallel?  Any corners, and if so, how are you doing them? One nailer or two?  Length of planks? Nailing pattern? Doorways?  Floor-mounted recepticals?

    400 sq. ft. in a day or more should be doable if it's straight forward and you and your help have done this before.  The little complications add a lot of time.

     

  2. maverick | Jun 19, 2005 12:05am | #2

    I dont install many floors but I did a 1100 square foot ranch with a helper in 12 hours.

    It was 2 1/2" strip oak. Kitchen, living room, down the hall, 3 bedrooms and the closets in each. My helper was a laid off asphalt paver.

  3. jackstraw | Jun 19, 2005 12:59am | #3

    400 sq. ft. is perfectally acceptable for two guys who have good carpentry skills and little floor laying experience.

    If thse two guys worked together laying floors every day they better put out about  800-1200 sq.ft. per day.

    Now that I think about it revise that number to 1500 minimum. Your talking 3 1/2'" here.  I'm going on 2 1/4" time.

    Either way , if that's what your planning on putting down , it's certainly do-able.

     

    1. jayzog | Jun 19, 2005 02:15am | #4

      Remember he said  pre finished- Ya can't just beat the snot out of it , like unfinished material.

      400 / day is a perfectly acceptable rate for quality work.

      1. HARDWOODGUY | Jun 19, 2005 02:35am | #5

        "I dont install many floors but I did a 1100 square foot ranch with a helper in 12 hours.It was 2 1/2" strip oak. Kitchen, living room, down the hall, 3 bedrooms and the closets in each. My helper was a laid off asphalt paver."
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------Supermen! I remember doing a wide open unit in a mall over plywood. 450 square feet of strip and I was a goner for the rest of the day. Bushed, freaking worn out and didn't want to do anymore. Of course this was using a manual nailer and not pneumatic AND I wasn't in my 20's.That's pretty hard to belive 1100 sf in that layout unless you skip nailed the installation or nailed every two feet. I believe the NWFA(National Wood Flooring Assoc) calls for 350-400 sf per man for each 8 hour day installing 2 1/4" strip in open areas.Don't place the emphasis on speed but more on quality. I've seen the work of guys who bragged about doing so much in one day. Floors should have been ripped out and redone.Edited 6/18/2005 7:37 pm ET by HARDWOODGUY

        Edited 6/18/2005 7:38 pm ET by HARDWOODGUY

        1. DougU | Jun 19, 2005 02:43am | #6

          I'm not a floor guy but with two other guys we did 600 sq. of 2 1/2" cherry in a 9 hr day. The room was just  a simple rectangle with a stair well in the middle.

          I was the only one that had done any of this before, and that's not saying a lot.

          Doug

          1. User avater
            RichBeckman | Jun 19, 2005 03:56am | #7

            My R.S. Means Residential Retail Costs book says that one carpenter should put down 170 sq ft of 2 1/4" prefinished white oak in a day.185 sq ft of 3 1/2"I'll be thrilled if I do half that!!Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.

        2. maverick | Jun 19, 2005 07:13pm | #13

          >>That's pretty hard to belive 1100 sf in that layout unless you skip nailed the installation or nailed every two feet. I believe the NWFA(National Wood Flooring Assoc) calls for 350-400 sf per man for each 8 hour day installing 2 1/4" strip in open areas.

          So...do the math. Two guys should put down 800 sq.ft. the first day and 300 ft the next half day = 1100 sq.ft.

          To be perfectly honest we hit it pretty hard, I could'nt keep up that pace day after day.

          1. christof | Jun 20, 2005 12:22am | #14

            1000+ sq.ft/day....is not very realistic for 2 people.  If a two person crew installs this fast I would assume they are subcontracted by the sq.ft and see nothing but $$$ while not paying attention to the details.  My installers are expected to install about 500/ft per day per team (2 people).  If I give them an additional helper they might put out 700/ft. 

          2. maverick | Jun 20, 2005 04:21am | #15

            No one is claiming 1000 ft per day.

            Once again...do the math

             

      2. Jay345 | Jun 19, 2005 02:32pm | #10

        you're right , prefinished is a bit different than unfinished. You have to protect the floor as you go, we usually use the boxes that it comes in to lay down behind us. Any protection after that is the responsibility of the HO or GC.

        We don't do a lot of floors, so I thought I was in the ballpark with 400 sq, ft. for 2 men per day. Now factor in the fact that I won't be there and have to rely on the speed of my employees to git'er done.....?I guess we'll do ok.

  4. kcoyner | Jun 19, 2005 05:24am | #8

    About 2 months ago we installed a little less than 6000 sq.ft. of random 3-4-5s.  Best day for 3 men ( 1 racking, 1 cutting, 1 sawing) wide open rooms, was just over 1200 sq.ft.  Slowest day using borders, and running on the diagonal in the field was about 300 sq.ft. for 3 men.   Oh yea, forgot to mention the sore backs!

    k

  5. User avater
    Dinosaur | Jun 19, 2005 08:38am | #9

    I'd say 400sf x 2 men in 8 hours is optimistic unless you're laying a dance floor in the middle of a stage and never have to get near a wall. I took 1½ days to lay 300sf of 3½" in a very tight environment with a crew of two carps, me and my #1.

    Dinosaur

    A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...

    But it is not this day.

    1. Piffin | Jun 19, 2005 03:18pm | #11

      I agree. I'm doing about 120ft a day myself ( six hours - rest of time I am phone calls and job management) and my two b guys are getting 250-300 between them. We do focus on grain matching, culling, and quality work tho, and have a lot of smaller spaces and cuts. The hand nailer vs the pneumatic doesn't seem to make a difference in time - just in energy level at end of day. 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. Piffin | Jun 19, 2005 03:24pm | #12

        Another thing - most of the 3" I get is long stock, custom milled, whjereas the 2-1/4" is bundled mixe up to 6' long. The long stock is slower to place, requiring much more shim blocks to fit tight. We get more coverage per placement but it takes more labor time per foot 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      2. User avater
        Dinosaur | Jun 20, 2005 06:29am | #16

        I agree too, about the nailer. A hand nailer saves you effort and a bit of time in not having to drag the hose around; a pneumatic one saves you in not slowing down as the day wears on and your arm gets tired. As my Nana used to say, "It's half-a-dozen of one; six of the other...."

        Gotta figure any whole floor that's only 300 sf is gonna be tight with lots of cuts, jogs, and rips. You can't start 'rocking and rolling' until you get to big open rooms that are 800-1000 sf by themselves. We don't see too many that size in residential up here.

        Grain matching, culling and so forth are standard procedure...aren't they?? <G>

        Dinosaur

        A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...

        But it is not this day.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Installing Prefinished Cabinet Molding

Use these assembly techniques when installing crown risers and molding to minimize visible gaps and nail holes.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #332 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data