Client's often request a square metre price for floor screeding. DIY and home builder forum sites also have many questions on the subject of screed, as it seems quite expensive in comparison to other trades. O. C. Floor Screeding estimate each project individually as there are a number of factors that determine the price. We have provided some information below to help you understand how a project is priced.
Materials: Screed is a combination of sharp sand, cement and water. The materials can be mixed on site either using a pump or a cement mixer. Alternatively it is factory batched and delivered to site, which is called readymix. Readymix is generally more expensive than site mixed sharp sand and cement but entails less labour and equipment. The floor screed may also require admixtures that are used to improve its performance. Admixtures are used for different requirements such as to increase strength, reduce drying times, reduce cracking and shrinkage of screed. The cost of these admixtures has to be taken into account. Some projects call for insulation, perimeter strips and damp proof membrane (DPM). The price of these products has to be considered but also the labour and time it takes to lay. Obviously ordering large quantities of a product reduces its price. Therefore the size of a project has an implication to the cost of the materials.
Labour: Floor screeding is one of the most physically demanding trades in the building industry. The screed is laid and leveled by hand. It is a skilled trade and takes years of experience to become an expert. The quality and level of screed has consequences on all the trades that follow it. Labourers support the screeder by mixing and providing the screed where necessary. As an accomplished trade, a screeder can command a high rate in comparison with other trades in the building industry. However using someone other than a trained screeder could be an expensive mistake to rectify.
Site: Access to the site may be an issue. Is there space for open loads of materials, access to water and room for equipment? Open loads of sharp sand and readymix are cost effective in comparison to sites with limited access that require bagged materials. Limited access can also mean that more labour is needed to transfer the bagged materials. Large open spaces are normally quicker to screed and therefore more economical than smaller rooms that can be time consuming. The levels within a room can also be a factor with a screeder trying to balance the level across an uneven base, which can prolong a project.
O. C. Floor Screeding will gladly answer any of your screeding questions and welcomes all projects either domestic or commercial. Call us today for a quotation on:
Materials: Screed is a combination of sharp sand, cement and water. The materials can be mixed on site either using a pump or a cement mixer. Alternatively it is factory batched and delivered to site, which is called readymix. Readymix is generally more expensive than site mixed sharp sand and cement but entails less labour and equipment. The floor screed may also require admixtures that are used to improve its performance. Admixtures are used for different requirements such as to increase strength, reduce drying times, reduce cracking and shrinkage of screed. The cost of these admixtures has to be taken into account. Some projects call for insulation, perimeter strips and damp proof membrane (DPM). The price of these products has to be considered but also the labour and time it takes to lay. Obviously ordering large quantities of a product reduces its price. Therefore the size of a project has an implication to the cost of the materials.
Labour: Floor screeding is one of the most physically demanding trades in the building industry. The screed is laid and leveled by hand. It is a skilled trade and takes years of experience to become an expert. The quality and level of screed has consequences on all the trades that follow it. Labourers support the screeder by mixing and providing the screed where necessary. As an accomplished trade, a screeder can command a high rate in comparison with other trades in the building industry. However using someone other than a trained screeder could be an expensive mistake to rectify.
Site: Access to the site may be an issue. Is there space for open loads of materials, access to water and room for equipment? Open loads of sharp sand and readymix are cost effective in comparison to sites with limited access that require bagged materials. Limited access can also mean that more labour is needed to transfer the bagged materials. Large open spaces are normally quicker to screed and therefore more economical than smaller rooms that can be time consuming. The levels within a room can also be a factor with a screeder trying to balance the level across an uneven base, which can prolong a project.
O. C. Floor Screeding will gladly answer any of your screeding questions and welcomes all projects either domestic or commercial. Call us today for a quotation on:
