Baseboard Moulding

[pumpuiman]

I have been given a quote for installation of wooden floor moudings throughout my new home in isaan.The total length is roughly 150 meters and I believe the height to be around 5-6 inches,and about 5/8 inch thick .My wife is telling me that the price for material and stain/finish/jnstallation is 25000 baht.Does this sound correct?She is currently unsure of the kind of wood they are speaking of...could this be the price for teak?I am currently arguing with her to get more details (but as Thai's dont want to rock the boat,she is fighting me on this)I hope to break her down soon......but does anyone have any idea what this should cost? I would appreciate any input.My wife and I are both in the U.S. and are dealing with the contractor through her Father in Thailand.Thanks to all,,,, and wish me luck getting through to one of the most stubborn women on the planet!!!

[billaaa777]

You in the ball park as far as price go. I am a builder and pay 100 per meter for installation and painting. You should expect to pay 150 per meter for the same. I use 4” soft wood which runs me 38 per meter. I don’t think the price you have been quoted is for teak, but similar to what I use. It looks great if stained or painted properly.

There are big differences in the quality of workmanship when it comes to installing molding. I wish you luck. I will be surprised that when you get back you won’t discover that all of your wood joints are very noticeable.

Stress to your father-in-law that when each separate piece of wood is connected to each other it should look as if there were never two pieces of wood, but only one continues piece.

[pumpuiman]

You in the ball park as far as price go. I am a builder and pay 100 per meter for installation and painting. You should expect to pay 150 per meter for the same. I use 4” soft wood which runs me 38 per meter. I don’t think the price you have been quoted is for teak, but similar to what I use. It looks great if stained or painted properly.

There are big differences in the quality of workmanship when it comes to installing molding. I wish you luck. I will be surprised that when you get back you won’t discover that all of your wood joints are very noticeable.

Stress to your father-in-law that when each separate piece of wood is connected to each other it should look as if there were never two pieces of wood, but only one continues piece.

Thank you for your quick and helpful reply.I will do as you suggest, and have a talk with the old man.

Thanks again.......Eric

[chownah]

Wow!!! You're paying about 165 baht per metre. If it costs 65 baht per metre for the wood then the worker is making 100 baht per metre to install it. I pay my workers the going rate in our village which is 170 baht per day. That means that my worker has to install only 170 cm of trim to make a days wages!!! Since my worker could probably install easily 30 metres in one day he would be making 3,000 baht per day instead of the 170 that I pay him.

It seems to me that the price is way too high.....way way way too high. For the 15,000 baht in wages you woud be paying based on 65 baht per metre for the wood (which in my opinion is even way to much for the wood) I could hire my worker 7 days a week for three months!!!!!

Chownah

[pumpuiman]

Wow!!! You're paying about 165 baht per metre. If it costs 65 baht per metre for the wood then the worker is making 100 baht per metre to install it. I pay my workers the going rate in our village which is 170 baht per day. That means that my worker has to install only 170 cm of trim to make a days wages!!! Since my worker could probably install easily 30 metres in one day he would be making 3,000 baht per day instead of the 170 that I pay him.

It seems to me that the price is way too high.....way way way too high. For the 15,000 baht in wages you woud be paying based on 65 baht per metre for the wood (which in my opinion is even way to much for the wood) I could hire my worker 7 days a week for three months!!!!!

Chownah

This was my original thought as well, but looking at the other post here,maybe we are wrong? Anyone else with any ideas on the subject?

[billaaa777]

Wow!!! You're paying about 165 baht per metre. If it costs 65 baht per metre for the wood then the worker is making 100 baht per metre to install it. I pay my workers the going rate in our village which is 170 baht per day. That means that my worker has to install only 170 cm of trim to make a days wages!!! Since my worker could probably install easily 30 metres in one day he would be making 3,000 baht per day instead of the 170 that I pay him.

It seems to me that the price is way too high.....way way way too high. For the 15,000 baht in wages you woud be paying based on 65 baht per metre for the wood (which in my opinion is even way to much for the wood) I could hire my worker 7 days a week for three months!!!!!

Chownah

I really don’t know why I ever make a post on this site. Because as soon as I try to help somebody you have clowns ringing in on subjects they have no idea what they are talking about! Either you give a detailed explanation on every post or else the supposed experts who have no experience on the matter will question everything.

Chownah, you have no idea what you’re talking about, in fact on 30 meters of molding at a 170 a day, your worker would be losing money on buying sand paper alone, not taking into consideration the wood putter and paint/stain required and of course they may want to eat that day and maybe have a drink of water or two.

First to install the molding you need a highly skilled carpenter with expensive tools. The tools required are an electric miter saw, air compressor and nail gun. The wood is measured and cut. To install the floor molding, the carpenter has a helper putting as much pressure on the wood as he can to get it as close as possible to the floor and walls in an attempt to minimize the ever present gaps. For all the corners, since two cuts are required the carpenter draws out pencil diagrams on the ceiling and floor and attempts to measure very carefully before cutting.

Next you need a painter who has tons of experience finishing the wood. All the wood joints need to be filled with wood putty and sanded, in most case this needs to be done over and over to look as if it is one continues piece of wood. Next, unless you’re the only one in Thailand that has walls that are straight, the gaps in between the wood and walls need to be filled. And finally since none of the wood you buy is straight the gaps between the wood and floor/ceiling need to be filled.

And after all that is done you can then begin to start painting. After putting on a few coats of paint I think your going to find even the best painter has got a little paint or stain on the walls and ceiling. So the painter then needs touch up the walls and ceiling with the corresponding paint.

Chownah, you’re going to tell me that you have one worker that can do all that and “easily” install 30 meters a day at a cost of 170? Do you have any idea how much 30 meters of molding is?

Chownah, when I renovate a 60 to 70 SM condo, installing ceiling and floor molding, a front door and a bathroom door with corresponding molding, a bathroom cabinet and walkway molding I am happy when my team of carpenters and painters can get it done in 5 to 7 days. By the way, all the molding, doors and cabinets have been dropped off at their shop and been sanded and pre-painted prior to the beginning of instillation. Just to get a head start and attempt to cut down on the installation time.

In Pattaya construction is booming. With an experience highly skilled finishing carpenters being paid 25,000 to 30,000 a month. Chownah, since you have access to these rare and much sought after commodity that you are able to hire at far below the going rate I would suggest you move to Pattaya and start a construction firm. You will be a rich man!

[chownah]

Wow!!! You're paying about 165 baht per metre. If it costs 65 baht per metre for the wood then the worker is making 100 baht per metre to install it. I pay my workers the going rate in our village which is 170 baht per day. That means that my worker has to install only 170 cm of trim to make a days wages!!! Since my worker could probably install easily 30 metres in one day he would be making 3,000 baht per day instead of the 170 that I pay him.

It seems to me that the price is way too high.....way way way too high. For the 15,000 baht in wages you woud be paying based on 65 baht per metre for the wood (which in my opinion is even way to much for the wood) I could hire my worker 7 days a week for three months!!!!!

Chownah

This was my original thought as well, but looking at the other post here,maybe we are wrong? Anyone else with any ideas on the subject?

The other poster is just trying to justify his high prices. There are many westerners in Thailand who do not trust Thais and/or have a difficult time communicating with them. As a result there are some western contractors (I don't know if they are legally permitted or not) who can communicate with Thai workers who hire them and charge really high prices to the westerners who really don't know any better. I have no problem with anyone wanting to charge whatever they want for their work but I do feel that billaaa777's explanation of why his price is not too high is just smoke and mirrors. This portion of his post "Chownah, you have no idea what you’re talking about, in fact on 30 meters of molding at a 170 a day, your worker would be losing money on buying sand paper alone, not taking into consideration the wood putter and paint/stain required and of course they may want to eat that day and maybe have a drink of water or two. " is laughable. The cost of sandpaper!!!!!! Give me a break!!!...........and this one: "First to install the molding you need a highly skilled carpenter with expensive tools. The tools required are an electric miter saw, air compressor and nail gun." My worker is highly skilled...but he doesn't have nor does he need an electric miter saw or a compresor and nail gun.

Just consider how much a westerner would want to make as a wage and then remember that if you hire billaaa777 or someone like him then you are paying his wages too....this is why the price is so high....in my opinion....of course in billaaa777's words "Chownah, you have no idea what you’re talking about".....you decide for yourself...and good luck with your project.

Chownah

[ThaiBob]

It's possible billaaa7 was referring to both base and crown molding. There's a big difference on the tools and skill level required. The OP did say the installation was for base (floor) molding so the price quoted is probably at the high-end. I've installed base molding in my own home and it was no minor project. Here in the USA the estimated quotes for labor was based on the number of corners.

[chownah]

I don't think that my worker has even seen crown molding. I don't have any and don't anticipate having any soon. When I want my worker to do something that he's never done or seen before I just take some time and show him how to do it...teach him the method I want him to follow....and so far he has been good at picking up on whatever I've wanted him to do.

Chownah