Screed moisture is the whole risk
A new screed holds moisture far longer than most programmes allow for, and laying over a failing reading destroys a wood floor from underneath months later. We test rather than estimate, and where the reading fails we either wait or specify a suitable membrane. This is the single most common reason a new-build floor fails.
Underfloor heating build-ups
Most new builds have wet UFH in the screed, which makes engineered wood bonded to the slab the default specification. Solid wood isn't on the table over a wet system. LVT works within the manufacturer's surface temperature limit, which we check against the system design.
- Commission and run the heating before the floor is laid
- Bond for conduction — insulating underlays reduce output
- Ramp the system up gradually after installation, not straight to full
Snagging and finish quality
New-build handovers are scrutinised, so the perimeter detail matters: skirting and scotia finished to a wall-side line, machine-cut scribes at pipe boxings, and thresholds that sit flush. We walk the floor with you and hand over an aftercare pack on the final day.
Scheduling around handover
Engineered lead time is 2–3 weeks, LVT 1–2, parquet 3–5, plus acclimatisation. Give us the handover or move-in date at survey and we'll work backwards to the last safe order date rather than promising something the programme can't support.