Incorrect piece of flooring supplied and laid

Quiet_penguin

Looking for a bit of advice.  We bought flooring from an online flooring company and then had a local tradesman and carpenter fit it.  He's done a great job laying the floor but one piece of the flooring that has been laid is so clearly not the same as the other planks. It's not natural variation, is a completely different wood and grain.  Our carpenter didn't notice and laid it down (we're not living there at the moment so didn't notice until it was too late). Now it's stuck down he says that the floor would have to come up from the wall to that point in order to replace it - which is a little under half the room. We are inclined to want to sort it as it sticks out and doesn't look good.  While in part our carpenter should perhaps have noticed that what he was laying looked a little different to the other planks, it was all coming from the same boxes, so I can see how once he was in the rhythm of laying the floor he didn't quite notice. My thought is that it's the flooring company who supplied the flooring who are really at fault - it's clear to me that one random plank from their other range has been put in our box along with the rest of the planks that are the type of wood we ordered. Currently, they are saying that couldn't happen and are not offering to do anything about it. It was delivered on the 3rd August, so less than 30 days ago...the issue is that we can't return it as it's laid down.  What are my rights here and how (if at all!) might I assert them. The flooring is approx £100 a box and we would need 4 boxes to resolve the issue...

Thanks for any and all thoughts. 

Quiet_penguin

Here is a pic of the issue...

greyteam1959

Oh dear.
Why on earth did your fitter lay that !!

Quiet_penguin

Yes, that's a fair comment.  He said he thought it was fine...I mean, I could have a fight with him but he wasn't the one that supplied the floor and he's done other work for us that's great.  We're going to have to replace it but my question is really whether we can expect at least one replacement box free from the flooring company. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Why do you need four boxes to fix it?  Surely the planks go back down the way they have to come up to replace the offending plank?

While the retailer of the box owes you a replacement plank, your fitter has done a ridiculous job there.  I'm sorry to laugh, but it is comical.  Mind you, the plank below and to the left of it in your photo looks odd, too, albeit the same pattern.  Perhaps it's the light on that one?

eskbanker

The colour variation between the two pieces to the left of the dud one would suggest that it's not the sort of matching scenario where it would be necessary to supply an entire box to replace one faulty piece, so even getting the retailer to supply a whole box is perhaps ambitious.  Is some sort of staining or treatment of what's laid likely to be a pragmatic resolution?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

I think you have a claim against the floor supplier and the fitter.

The supplier should replace the one plank*, the fitter should be liable for refitting it plus any costs as they didn't carry out the service with due care and skill.

*Did you over order, I would assume there'd be a spare board knocking about, the 4 boxes required would be at the fitter's expense. 

You say "stuck down" I assume this means glued rather than floating? 

MikeJXE

There's more than one piece thats odd

Flooring needs to be matched with the same batch like wallpaper does so you will need more than a couple of pieces to get it right

has the floor layer glued the joints I if so you won't break them apart without damage and might need to replace the whole floor 

Mr.Generous

Did he work in the dark? That would have to be changed.

pinkshoes

An experienced floor fitter lays planks out before fitting.

Even if they didn't bother doing that, this is so obviously the wrong colour that the fitted ought to be really embarrassed he missed it! Was he hung over?!? 

I'd expect the fitter to pay to correct this!

baser999

😂 how did the fitter not notice?