Damaged flooring when it's been laid - advice please.
Discussion
Just had some flooring laid, approximately 3m x 4m, just under £600 (we've only paid £100 deposit on credit card, and still owe the ~£500 balance). For want of a better word, it's "posh" "lino" (and yes, I know that's an oxymoron). It's the thick vinyl flooring, which looks like wood planks. The pattern is printed/embossed onto the backing.
About five minutes after the fitters had left, I noticed a "perforated" scuff, about 1mm wide (at most), and about 10-15mm long, which looked as though something sharp had been dragged across the surface. There is also a 2mm x 2mm "flap" on another part of the floor. There's also a small (20mm) tear near to the fireplace, where the flooring looks like it's been forced under the skirting and has split. The first two show the white backing underneath.
I phoned the (small, local) firm straight away, and asked the guy we'd been dealing with to come and take a look at the damage. He said he wasn't available, as he was alone in the shop, and had appointments to measure up after shutting. He asked me how I'd like to resolve it.
Romantic that I am, I had arranged for the fitters to come today while I was off, as a bit of a surprise for Mrs Dibble. I've now had to ring her and "spoil" the surprise, and ask her what she thinks. As I thought, she wants to see the damage before making a decision.
Am I entitled to a full new floor? The damaged bits don't particularly bother me (at present), but my worry is that we have been sold a vinyl that is supposedly hard wearing (15 year guarantee), but has already been damaged/scuffed. Is the damage likely to spread from the two damaged bits, particularly if moisture from the (almost permanently wet dog now it's autumn) gets into the vinyl?
Or should I just negotiate a discount, with the caveat that if the damage does spread, we'll be wanting it replaced?
There's also the faff (if we go for a whole new floor) of having to move all the furniture again.
About five minutes after the fitters had left, I noticed a "perforated" scuff, about 1mm wide (at most), and about 10-15mm long, which looked as though something sharp had been dragged across the surface. There is also a 2mm x 2mm "flap" on another part of the floor. There's also a small (20mm) tear near to the fireplace, where the flooring looks like it's been forced under the skirting and has split. The first two show the white backing underneath.
I phoned the (small, local) firm straight away, and asked the guy we'd been dealing with to come and take a look at the damage. He said he wasn't available, as he was alone in the shop, and had appointments to measure up after shutting. He asked me how I'd like to resolve it.
Romantic that I am, I had arranged for the fitters to come today while I was off, as a bit of a surprise for Mrs Dibble. I've now had to ring her and "spoil" the surprise, and ask her what she thinks. As I thought, she wants to see the damage before making a decision.
Am I entitled to a full new floor? The damaged bits don't particularly bother me (at present), but my worry is that we have been sold a vinyl that is supposedly hard wearing (15 year guarantee), but has already been damaged/scuffed. Is the damage likely to spread from the two damaged bits, particularly if moisture from the (almost permanently wet dog now it's autumn) gets into the vinyl?
Or should I just negotiate a discount, with the caveat that if the damage does spread, we'll be wanting it replaced?
There's also the faff (if we go for a whole new floor) of having to move all the furniture again.
In a very similar situation we had the floor replaced just recently. You pay for the material and the laying. If the result is not satifactory they should replace the material and refit f.o.c.
In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
Don said:
In a very similar situation we had the floor replaced just recently. You pay for the material and the laying. If the result is not satifactory they should replace the material and refit f.o.c.
In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
I'm happy with the store TBH, I don't think as a small local place they need the (potential) negative press. I don;t want to take the mickey, as the rest of the job's fine, but I do want it right.In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
Dibble said:
Don said:
In a very similar situation we had the floor replaced just recently. You pay for the material and the laying. If the result is not satifactory they should replace the material and refit f.o.c.
In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
I have the same type of flooring down and its very hard wearing/difficult to damage.In our case there was glue all over the flooring and on the porcelain fitments in our en-suite and the floor material itself had been cut too small on two edges and "patched" and the fitting cuts behind the handbasin and commode were bulging and highly visible.
They agreed to re-do the work without quibble and the second guy did a proper job. No complaints.
You did the right thing by going back to them right away. Just say you want the work re-done f.o.c. and if they'd like to confirm your report they are welcome to visit at a mutually convenient time.
I'll bet they do the right thing by you, actually...
replaing the various damaged bits is fiddly but not difficult and can be done without the need to re-lay the whole floor, I would be very surprised if they did not come back to re do the bits to your satisfaction.
I'm happy with the store TBH, I don't think as a small local place they need the (potential) negative press. I don;t want to take the mickey, as the rest of the job's fine, but I do want it right.
Adrenochrome said:
They should replace the damaged pieces without quibble for you as it's not too big a job 
The damaged "piece" measures approximately 3 metres x 4 metres... 
(It's vinyl flooring on a roll, but patterned to look like oak boards).Been to the shop today to chat face to face, rather than over the phone.
The guy is willing to replce if we want (Mrs D's preferred option), or "colour" the scuff and "superglue" the flap, and knock £100 off the total. It'll be a right faff moving all the furniture again (possibly twice), so I think this may be the route we go down.
Dibble said:
Adrenochrome said:
They should replace the damaged pieces without quibble for you as it's not too big a job
The damaged "piece" measures approximately 3 metres x 4 metres... (It's vinyl flooring on a roll, but patterned to look like oak boards).Been to the shop today to chat face to face, rather than over the phone.
The guy is willing to replce if we want (Mrs D's preferred option), or "colour" the scuff and "superglue" the flap, and knock £100 off the total. It'll be a right faff moving all the furniture again (possibly twice), so I think this may be the route we go down.
Adrenochrome said:
Dibble said:
Adrenochrome said:
They should replace the damaged pieces without quibble for you as it's not too big a job
The damaged "piece" measures approximately 3 metres x 4 metres... (It's vinyl flooring on a roll, but patterned to look like oak boards).Been to the shop today to chat face to face, rather than over the phone.
The guy is willing to replce if we want (Mrs D's preferred option), or "colour" the scuff and "superglue" the flap, and knock £100 off the total. It'll be a right faff moving all the furniture again (possibly twice), so I think this may be the route we go down.
Presumably with Karndean as it's laid in sections, presumably to make a pattern aiui, can you replace a damaged section and a new one inserted?
F i F said:
Adrenochrome said:
Dibble said:
Adrenochrome said:
They should replace the damaged pieces without quibble for you as it's not too big a job
The damaged "piece" measures approximately 3 metres x 4 metres... (It's vinyl flooring on a roll, but patterned to look like oak boards).Been to the shop today to chat face to face, rather than over the phone.
The guy is willing to replce if we want (Mrs D's preferred option), or "colour" the scuff and "superglue" the flap, and knock £100 off the total. It'll be a right faff moving all the furniture again (possibly twice), so I think this may be the route we go down.
Presumably with Karndean as it's laid in sections, presumably to make a pattern aiui, can you replace a damaged section and a new one inserted?
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