It is generally considered bad form to critisize other contractors and
competitors. We do not think we are infallible nor the only craftsmen
who can carry out excellent work. Nonetheless, we are fed up seeing so
much very poor workmanship in our trade, much of which has been dearly
paid for by innocent customers.
So here are some photographs and critiques that may help you to avoid
the worst of the nightmares.
For this floor, if you had paid nearly enough to buy a small house
do you think you would be delighted? This disgrace was sold and
fitted by a large and very well known hardwood flooring company
with an international reach. Described as an 'original face' ancient
oak floor it is nothing short of fraudulent. It is ancient oak,
but the boards have been sawn from old beams, then ground with an
angle grinder in a poor imitation of worn boards. It is so bad it
desrves a page of its own. Click
here to see our replacement floor.
Wide Oak Boards
Why is there a joint in the hearth surround?
Why is there a board approximately 1" long? (5th board along
from the left hand end of the hearth surround.)
Why are the head joints so close togther in the 3rd and fourth
rows from the left.?
It is difficult to fit boards neatly and accurately to rough cast
stone but this is ridiculous. It is made more ridiculous by the
fact that further along , out of shot, there are sections where
the fitting is much closer.
Not So Wide Oak Boards
As we see here, the boards are cut in quite close to the rough
cast stone - but against the dressed stone there is still a huge
gap. What is that all about?
As if just to prove he could cut the floor in tight to the stone,
on the opposite side of this doorway to that above here is one that
is cut in tight. however, lest we think he is improving he has allowed
the threshold to run beyond the corner by 3/4" !