Kitchen floor ideas for a unit

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by Eugene82, 23rd Aug, 2017.

Join Australia's most dynamic and respected property investment community
Tags:
  1. Eugene82

    Eugene82 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2nd Oct, 2015
    Posts:
    57
    Location:
    NSW
    Hi guys,

    I have to replace the vinyl floor in the kitchen as it was damaged by the tenant, but insurance company won't cover it as I have landlord and contents cover but not a building cover (since it's an apartment). I might go through the Strata insurance, but regardless..

    I understand that Vinyl is stuck to the floor thus giving insurance company a leeway to say that it's a building issue. So are there any 'floating floor' options that would make it fall under contents insurance?

    Thanks
     
    Eugene82, 23rd Aug, 2017
    #1
  2. Tom Rivera

    Tom Rivera Property Manager Business Member

    Joined:
    1st Jul, 2015
    Posts:
    2,718
    Location:
    South East Queensland
    Funny how insurance companies change their definition of 'contents' to suit themselves.

    You'll really need to check with the insurance company as to what they consider building and what is contents. Every time I've tried to claim on anything but tiles, the dodgy non-specialist policies have gotten away with saying the flooring is a 'content'.
     
    Tom Rivera, 24th Aug, 2017
    #2
    Tanya1335 likes this.
  3. Martin73

    Martin73 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    1st Mar, 2017
    Posts:
    178
    Location:
    Canberra
    Given the concerns about noise impacts from floating floors on neighbouring properties I suggest you'd be better sticking with the vinyl flooring but consider products like Karndean loose lay panels. Works out at approx. $100 m2 fully installed.

    Much easier to repair, tenant friendly and no issues with moisture/steam mops etc that you can get with timber, bamboo floating floors.
     
    Last edited: 25th Aug, 2017
    Martin73, 25th Aug, 2017
    #3
    Eugene82 likes this.
  4. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    18th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    14,015
    Location:
    Brisbane
    We used a flexibly vinyl plank product recently, bought from Bunnings, and I know we didn't pay this price, but it was a similar product. It was waterproof, so for a kitchen would be great. We used it in a sunroom, so being waterproof was ideal in case anyone leaves the windows open in that sunroom.

    This is self-adhesive, but we didn't stick anything down. Sorry, I cannot recall the product name. But it was super easy to lay, looked fantastic and if a piece is damaged, you can fairly easily swap it out.

    Vinyl Planks available from Bunnings Warehouse

    It may have been the Floor Select and I know we got it on special, so maybe that is why these prices seem so high.
     
    wylie, 25th Aug, 2017
    #4
    Eugene82 likes this.
  5. Martin73

    Martin73 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    1st Mar, 2017
    Posts:
    178
    Location:
    Canberra
    @wylie I should have mentioned that the $100 m2 I've been quoted is for installation on an artek base. The material cost is @ $60 a m2.

    I looked at the Bunnings product but the difference IMHO is in the quality and the warranty.
     
    Martin73, 25th Aug, 2017
    #5
  6. Greyghost

    Greyghost Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    22nd Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Tile over the vinyl.
    Floating floors in the kitchen is a bad idea.
     
    Greyghost, 26th Aug, 2017
    #6
    Eugene82 and Tom Rivera like this.
  7. Eugene82

    Eugene82 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2nd Oct, 2015
    Posts:
    57
    Location:
    NSW
    Thanks for the advice guys. Someone's coming to quote for vinyl planks this week.
    Cheers
     
    Eugene82, 28th Aug, 2017
    #7
  8. Eugene82

    Eugene82 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2nd Oct, 2015
    Posts:
    57
    Location:
    NSW
    I've had a horrid time with my insurance but now it's over. Had to go through disputes resolution.
     
    Eugene82, 28th Aug, 2017
    #8
    Tom Rivera likes this.
  9. Tom Rivera

    Tom Rivera Property Manager Business Member

    Joined:
    1st Jul, 2015
    Posts:
    2,718
    Location:
    South East Queensland
    I've had to fight tooth and nail on behalf of my clients on roughly half my claims, some insurers are much worse than others for difficult and avoidant behavior.

    How'd you go? Did they relent on the vinyl flooring, or at the very least define what they consider a contents style floor?
     
    Tom Rivera, 28th Aug, 2017
    #9