Troubling story. Have you got the report back yet?

The floor should never come away from the slab (obviously) so that would be enough grounds for me to have to return to a job.

Oh that is shocking :( What a disappointing result for you. Especially given you were reassured multiple times by the representative/installer. I can only imagine how infuriated and upset you are :/ How did the report go? Have you raised this with the kitchen rep/installer yet? Also just wondering if your insurance company might be able to assist you here?

hi all, thanks for your comments and support. We have received the ATFA inspection report which clearly outlines numerous problems with the floor which are solely caused by the poor installation. The installation does not meet the manufacturers specifications or Australian Standards. The slab was too uneven, far more than the recommended allowance, and was not properly prepared prior to the laying of the boards. We have since been back in touch with the installer. He was not happy and initially tried to act as if he was shocked, even though we highlighted problems with him even before he finished laying the boards. He also tried to make us feel guilty about taking the action that we did. Now with the report, there is no way he can deny that he is at fault. So, we are now in the process of getting quotes to have the floor pulled up, slab rectified and new boards laid by a professional wooden floor installer. We may not have to remove the whole kitchen and it may be possible to all be done by removing the kickers and panels and cutting the boards out. Even though this is not ideal, we have our fingers crossed. However, the extent of the problem will not be known until the boards come up and see what damage/problems are underneath. it has been a very stressful, inconvenient and disappointing experience. I think we have reached a point now where we know we just have to get on with it and get it done. This is not something that we have ever had to go through before and we are really feeling out way in the dark. There is certainly no joy in having to confront someone about their poor workmanship. We believe that the installer has been in touch with his insurance company, but whether they cover him for this type of thing, I am not sure. I guess that is for him to sort out. The floorboards are engineered oak and directly stuck to the subfloor. The glue he used was called wakpol or similar, but we have since been advised that a foaming glue probably would have been more suitable for this job.

In spite of everything that's happened seanagh10, I think it was the best move to get an independent inspection and report which details specifically where the issues were/are. That was unfair for him to make you feel guilty for taking that action... you couldn't exactly leave it the way it was and do nothing about it? I'm sure if the shoe was on the other foot, he would not be happy with the same outcome in his kitchen either and would no doubt be trying to make it right also. You voiced your concerns with him but trusted his opinion as he is the professional... that said, I can only imagine your disappointment & frustration that he was wrong and made so many errors - and at your expense. You've invested so much of your heart, soul and hard earned money into finishing your new kitchen. Have you spoken to your own insurance company about recovering some of the cost in this? I have no idea if you have wording in your policy to cover something like this but it would be worth exploring to minimise your total outlay?The worst they can say is no? I hope that in moving forward, the next installer does a sensational job to deliver the kitchen of your dreams :)

We have laid engineered oak flooring in our own personal house, we have a construction company. We needed to grind down some spots in our own slab as there can only be a few mm variation across the floor. We also waterproofed the entire ground floor where the oak was laid. It is fantastic and we definitely have no movement at all anywhere in our floor. I would suggestion making a complaint to your local building authority. In Queensland it is the QBCC. They will act on your behalf and inspect any defective work by your sub-contractor and issue a directive if the sub-contractor is found to be at fault to repair the work. Good luck.

Thanks for your response. We are in SA and have been in contact with our QBCC equivalent. They have been excellent with their advice so far. We are now going through the process of getting quotes to have the floor redone.

Very interesting. My son has a similar problem in his new home. sides of boards are turning up and some seem to move step on them. Has spoken to the builder but he seems to be trying to fob it off. Who would he contact in Victoria for an inspection?

If I ever do this again, I would only use a professional wooden floor installer, who has been in the industry for many years and is backed up by consistent positive reviews/testimonials. After talking with a few now, they obviously come across all sorts of subfloors and conditions that they need to deal with before they install the boards and it is all part of the process and service. It may work out more expensive up front to use these guys, but in the long run it would be less likely that you would run into problems like we have. Never take the builder's word for it that he has 'done plenty of floors without a problem'. Now in retrospect, we were very naive and way too trusting of our builder whose core business is cabinetry/kitchens, but we are not experienced renovators and we didn't have any reason to doubt his word . Don't get me wrong, the floor looks amazing and it is definitely the look that we were after, so from that perspective I would definitely go wood again. Sadly though, we still have a long way to go before it is all fixed. Fraudino, we have a government oganisation in SA called Consumer and Business Affairs. There would definitely be something similar in Victoria. They have been very good with their advice and should help you through the process. Good luck.

No comfort for you, but on the whole I have found many tradesmen in Sydney to be *rseholes. Feel free to defend yourselves, tradies, if you are any good. Sadly based on years of experience with many different trades.