Flooring options

Hi everyone
Just revisiting the floating floor and flooring options issue.
Am doing an extension 36m2 plus a reno adding a toilet and shower to the laundry. Looking at flooring. Builder is saying he is finding it harder to gaurentee a timber floor due to having had some floors open up on him recently (has many, many years experience and have seen his high quality work). Extension will face West so this is an issue. He suggests a yellowbox floor with a floater on top. Laundry is concrete slab. Need flooring for this (5m2) and the entry to the extension (also part of concrete slab 2m2). Were looking at wood style vinyl, but it just looks crap, some have suggested polished/painted concrete but feel will be too cold and hard (have two children under three) so will proabbly go with a colored vinyl that will tie in the color of a few features.
Have been getting prices. Don’t want laminate floater, like the tassie oak veneer (rest of house is TO). Price ranges from around $50 m2 to $69 m2, but then variety of laying costs, prices for underlay etc, so costs vary from around $80-$100m2, also extra costs for steps!!! Vinyl on the slab likewise varies on vinyl quality and laying costs and underlay and what condition slab is in.
So just wanting some general ideas regarding cost comparisons of real floor, sanded and polished vs Floater. If people have had floaters put in, costs and experience (maybe some recommended retailers/layers). And same for vinyl flooring experiences, some pics would be handy. Would I be better off insisting on a TO floor!! Is pretty broad topic and would be interested in any related comments.
Cheers
Mcblurter

If at first you don’t succeed, buy a budgie. Nothing sucks seeds like a budgie!

The real crazy thing is that i have seen many good builders do good work hanging a door and installing windows and fabricate the most complex framing system, but have bummed out when it comes to flooring. Today ,timber floor manufacture , installation and finishing has developed into a science. It is being more and more researched to provide the client with a premium performing floor covering. From the day it is a seed in the ground to the day the contractor applies the last coat, is constantly monitored by each handling stage. Manufacture, storage in store, storage on site , installation, and then finishing. All stages needs to know and understand the product. At the installation stage their needs to have a understanding of a procedure called EMC. This procedure is vital for correct performance for the entire duration of its life.Most builders know very little of the EMC of timber. And they get them selves into trouble or are confronted with concerned clients to explain the gaps or why the floor is cupping or tenting or even crowning. But you ask a professional timber floor contractor about any one of these situations and he will stand their and dive into a wealth of stored knowledge gained through the years and in detail explain why and when, and have no problem in guaranteeing your timber floor . You need to source for your self a contractor and talk to him and receive what you really want....... A timber floor. This contractor will work independent of the builder but will have the same respect for him as if he was working under him.http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...cons/icon7.gif

Thanks Larry
Thanks for the advice.
Are you able to give a ballpark figure for a 36m2 polished floor in Tassie Oak? That's what I'm trying to weigh up, the preferred TO polished floor done by a timber floor contractor, vs Floater on top of builder built floor. If I can work out the difference in cost then I can make the decision. I assume the TO floor would be more expensive, but how much more? Under $1000 difference then no arguement, more than this we then have to think.
Thanks again
Mcblurter

Tassie oak installed on joist including installation and sanding starts at around $120, mabe a cuppla bucks more. Look in the yellow pages for a contractor, you will find a good one in their.