ᐅ Very Poor Parquet Flooring Installation – Is Rectification Impossible?
Created on: 19 Jan 2023 10:55
P
pim1985
Hello,
unfortunately, we are having problems again with our parquet installer (a small family business in NRW). The work on the transitions and the baseboards was done very poorly.
A brief summary of the situation: After a long wait due to residual moisture in the screed, the parquet was installed (oak, 18.5cm (7.3 inches) wide, fully glued).
As you can see in the photos, the gaps at the transitions are about 1cm (0.4 inches) wide and filled with a cork material that does not match the color.
The baseboards (1.8cm (0.7 inches) wide, about 5.8cm (2.3 inches) high) at the floor-to-ceiling windows do not look good, the smaller baseboards/profiles are odd, and the work was very untidy. The reason for the unusual small baseboards/profiles: the window reveals are too narrow (1cm (0.4 inches) wide baseboards would fit; this is the case with our neighbors in an identical semi-detached house). There are nicer solutions for this, but there was no communication that the baseboards would not fit. The parquet installer is unable to accept criticism and is old-fashioned, just doing things as he learned 30 years ago. He refuses to make any corrections.
Regarding the cork filling, we probably have no legal chance for corrections, even though the boards at the transitions were cut unevenly. (I saw examples from other providers, unfortunately too late, and spoke with specialists from a large parquet company (Parkett Dietrich) who said that transitions without joints or with very small joints about 4mm (0.16 inches) are possible. These could be filled with parquet joint filler in a similar color and would look a thousand times better). Baseboards before the step in the staircase area???
The small baseboards in the window area are impossible, though. I am a member of the property owners’ protection association (legal insurance is also available) and I am considering taking legal action with a specialist lawyer and construction consultant, although I would prefer not to. But this job cost a lot of money, and now I will probably have to hire a second company to fix it.
I would appreciate any tips on how to salvage one or the other issue.
unfortunately, we are having problems again with our parquet installer (a small family business in NRW). The work on the transitions and the baseboards was done very poorly.
A brief summary of the situation: After a long wait due to residual moisture in the screed, the parquet was installed (oak, 18.5cm (7.3 inches) wide, fully glued).
As you can see in the photos, the gaps at the transitions are about 1cm (0.4 inches) wide and filled with a cork material that does not match the color.
The baseboards (1.8cm (0.7 inches) wide, about 5.8cm (2.3 inches) high) at the floor-to-ceiling windows do not look good, the smaller baseboards/profiles are odd, and the work was very untidy. The reason for the unusual small baseboards/profiles: the window reveals are too narrow (1cm (0.4 inches) wide baseboards would fit; this is the case with our neighbors in an identical semi-detached house). There are nicer solutions for this, but there was no communication that the baseboards would not fit. The parquet installer is unable to accept criticism and is old-fashioned, just doing things as he learned 30 years ago. He refuses to make any corrections.
Regarding the cork filling, we probably have no legal chance for corrections, even though the boards at the transitions were cut unevenly. (I saw examples from other providers, unfortunately too late, and spoke with specialists from a large parquet company (Parkett Dietrich) who said that transitions without joints or with very small joints about 4mm (0.16 inches) are possible. These could be filled with parquet joint filler in a similar color and would look a thousand times better). Baseboards before the step in the staircase area???
The small baseboards in the window area are impossible, though. I am a member of the property owners’ protection association (legal insurance is also available) and I am considering taking legal action with a specialist lawyer and construction consultant, although I would prefer not to. But this job cost a lot of money, and now I will probably have to hire a second company to fix it.
I would appreciate any tips on how to salvage one or the other issue.
netuser schrieb:
I agree, and it can definitely be done better.
Since you are in NRW, could you specify the exact location? Within about 50 km (30 miles) of Wuppertal, for example, I could recommend a real professional who knows what they’re doing and maintains a high quality standard. Plus, you won’t have to spend a fortune for it 😉
So before you start DIY, have all the parquet molding replaced at the joints and you’ll be happy. Gladly!
I’m from Essen.
M
Myrna_Loy20 Jan 2023 13:13pim1985 schrieb:
My problem is that I want it to look nice? There is nothing about that in the contract. I was not informed about the joints and baseboards before installation. I was not told that it wouldn’t fit at the windows. They just did it. It’s 100 square meters (1076 square feet). Go to Parkett Dietrich or somewhere like that, and you’ll see how they consistently install the flooring. It’s a new build, not an old house! So you have no detailed scope of work specifying how the baseboards should be fixed and adjusted? You have no information that expansion joints need to be executed in material xy? You only have a rough document stating: lay xy square meters (xy square feet) of flooring for x amount of money? Sorry, if you insist on it looking nice—in the way you imagine—then you need to define the parameters beforehand. You can check whether the size and position of the expansion joints comply with the recommendations and standards (e.g., DIN) for the materials used. Statements like “the site manager says it’s okay” or “the neighbor with the vinyl floor did it that way” won’t help you at all.
Myrna_Loy schrieb:
So you don’t have a detailed offer specifying how the baseboards are to be fixed and adjusted? No information that expansion joints must be installed in material xy?
You only have a rough note stating: install xy square meters (sq ft) of flooring for x amount?
Sorry, if you insist on it looking nice—that is, according to your own expectations—you need to define these parameters upfront.
You can check whether the thickness and placement of the expansion joints comply with the recommendations and standards (e.g., DIN) for the materials used. Statements like “the site manager says it’s okay” or “the neighbor with vinyl flooring did it that way” won’t help you. Yes, unfortunately, because we discussed everything else verbally. You can always ask beforehand if something was forgotten or doesn’t seem right. Don’t just assume. You expect something different from a master craftsman company—at least for the price. The work will be inspected by a building surveyor; let’s see what comes of it.
I have formally asked the parquet installer in writing to fix the issues that really bother me. He responded promptly.
He will try to cut the standard baseboards narrower so they fit into the window recess.
He plans to straighten the cork joints, which means making them even larger. He claims the joints are absolutely necessary. Not on my watch! I will insist that he replaces and properly trims the floorboards. If he refuses, he has two options: reduce the invoice or I will go to another specialist company and charge him for this service.
He will try to cut the standard baseboards narrower so they fit into the window recess.
He plans to straighten the cork joints, which means making them even larger. He claims the joints are absolutely necessary. Not on my watch! I will insist that he replaces and properly trims the floorboards. If he refuses, he has two options: reduce the invoice or I will go to another specialist company and charge him for this service.
M
Myrna_Loy23 Jan 2023 16:43pim1985 schrieb:
I have formally asked the floor installer in writing to fix the issues that are extremely bothering me. He responded promptly.
He will try to cut the regular baseboards narrower so they fit into the window recess.
He will straighten the cork joints, which means they will need to be made even larger. He claims the joints are absolutely necessary. Not on my watch! I will insist that he replaces and cuts the floorboards properly. If he refuses, he has two options: reduce the invoice or I will hire another contractor and charge him for this service.You are free to charge him for that, but he can also choose to ignore the invoice. There are specific rules regarding defect identification and remediation. Before you get too involved, I would recommend seeking advice on this matter first. What does the building inspector say? Is he an expert?Similar topics