Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Underlayment Installation
Underlayment Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Underlayment Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Underlayment Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Underlayment Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Underlayment Installation labor cost? What are the important Underlayment Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Underlayment Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Underlayment Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Underlayment Installation expect to pay between $1.60 to $2.26 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Underlayment Installation work? | Your Underlayment Installation project may require design approval and/or permits from your local building authority. Verify requirements with your local building department before any Underlayment Installation work starts, particularly for ay structural or systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) projects. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Underlayment Installation work? | The operation and performance of the underlayment may be adversely affected by inexperience or poor installation techniques. Hire service providers for Underlayment Installation carefully and be sure to tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (from the list below). |
| Is Underlayment Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Underlayment Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Underlayment Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Underlayment Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Underlayment Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Underlayment Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Underlayment Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- A detailed underlayment layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- The installed underlayment height will be within 1/4 inch of the height of adjacent finished flooring
- Installed underlayment surface variations along a 4 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/16 inch - from any location along any direction
- Installed underlayment will be level to within 1/64 inch in any 2 foot direction
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the underlayment meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- All holes, cuts and notches necessary to complete the work will be no larger than 25% of the object routed through the opening; cuts will be clean and uniform; all framing holes, notches and modifications will fully comply with local code guidelines
- Finished underlayment will feel uniformly solid and rigid under pressure
- Finished underlayment will not shift, squeak or creak when walked upon
Underlayment Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Underlayment Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the underlayment work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Determine if permit is required for Underlayment Installation by local building authority, before any work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of underlayment, before any work begins
- Review site access, clean-up restrictions , work hours, bathroom use and other jobsite rules with all subcontractors and laborers before they begin work
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Secure subfloor to framing; eliminate squeaks and soft spots
- Apply a smooth, even coat/layer of leveling compound
- Install underlayment using corrosion resistant screws / nails, per manufacturer nailing specifications and applicable local building code(s)
- Inspect Underlayment Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
