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Please help! Carpenter cut door jambs

7 years ago
Please help! Our carpenter cut our door jambs and now we only have a 1/2” margin between the door and the foundation. The issue with that is that our bamboo floor is 5/8” thick. Not to mention the margin that is needed for airflow after the bamboo floor is installed. Our carpenter blames the framer by saying that he did not leave a big enough opening for an 8 foot door. However, the picture below shows that there is about a 1/2” or 3/4” margin on TOP of the door jamb when it was installed. My guess is that the carpenter cut too much of the door jamb to make it easier to install. He took it upon himself to cut the door jambs without advising us first. Should we make him replaced the door jambs or should we let him cut the doors? We have a total of 12 doors that have this issue. Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
undercut doors
replace door jamb

Comments (10)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Usually when we installing doors we put pieces of flooring that will be used under the jamb so the flooring guys don't have to undercut the jambs.

    I wouldn't be replacing jambs at this point, if anything get him pieces of flooring that will be going in, slip them under the door and raise the doors.

    Another way is to cut the doors and the flooring guys will undercut the jambs to slip the flooring under it.

    Good luck


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    If the jambs can't be easily raised, undercut the doors and let the flooring installers undercut the jambs.

    Undercut and jamb saw.

    I undercut doors as little as possible as there are other ways to provide for return air.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Never had to undercut doors. I always frame my openings 83". If carpet goes in, I raise the door 1/2" so the carpet can be tucked under it and if pre- finished hardwood flooring goes in I set the doors on scraps of that flooring. It makes a nicer job and a perfect tight fit every time.

    If unfinished flooring, they install flooring before I set doors.

    When you start undercutting the jambs not always you get precise cuts and at times it looks messy, the cuts not so clean, and you end up with gaps here and there.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    Looks plumb
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Never had to undercut doors. I always frame my openings 83".

    Yes, but the OP has 12 installed jambs that don't provide clearance for the floors and that may not be easily removed. We're not on site to check that.

    When you start undercutting the jambs not always you get precise cuts
    and at times it looks messy, the cuts not so clean, and you end up with
    gaps here and there.

    It all depends on the floor installers. A couple of homes ago I ended up correcting some of those sloppy cuts myself with a handheld undercut saw.

    Of course, if the OP has not paid the carpenter, then she's in control.Time for an executive decision!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Unless you provided specific instruction, this is typical for your finish carpenter.

  • 7 years ago
    Jeffrey- there was no need to cut the jamb as much as they did because there is still a 3/4” of space left on top.
  • 7 years ago
    GN Builders- I agree about undercutting the jambs. I’ve seen some sloppy work done when they go this route. I guess it all depends on the carpenter or installer of the floor.
  • 7 years ago
    Worthy- I still owe him a good amount of money. I’m holding it hostage until I get what I want. They made that decision to cut the jambs without consulting with me first. Especially since It seems like they did have enough space to install without cutting. Maybe they just didn’t want to struggle a little when installing the unit.