What to do now? Baseboards and Shoe Molding Issues

5 years ago

We hired a local company to install new LVP on our first floor (just under 1000 sq ft) and a new staircase. The owner’s crew came in for tear out and the owner was here the next two days. He came with multiple referrals and 18 yrs experience. The LVP floors and stairs came out great! The baseboards and shoe molding look like they were done with a butter knife. I emailed him within a few days of the job and he responded back the next day he’s extremely busy and will look at his schedule and get back to me. In caps he wrote, IT WILL ALL GET FIXED. He said most issues with be fixed with caulking and paint - I disagree. After 3 weeks, I emailed for follow up - nothing. Over a month now and still nothing. This was our first major home improvement and I paid him in full - my fault lesson learned.

Most of the baseboards do not come to a clean cut in the corners/jagged, shoe molding was cut with shears and not a miter saw, shoe molding has no returns/caps on them, shoe molding around my island was just cut off at the ends and not at a 45 degree angle, cracked baseboards,

etc. I don’t believe what we are asking for is unreasonable.

Not sure what to do at this point . . keep emailing? certified letter? I’m not the type of person to rock the boat and just want what we paid for. Any advice would be greatly appreciated? Thanks!

Featured Answer

wednesday morning

5 years ago

wow, so sorry. That work looks more like something that i might do, myself. And I sure as heck am no carpenter!

If you paid someone to do it, you deserve better for your expense. That is really bad.

Having just "refreshed" a house in anticipation of selling, i have become quite an artist with caulking and paint. But, it is all coverup. You paid for real, not coverup.

It is so darned problematic to hire someone to do these kings of things. We have had our disappointments with it and stories of others' experiences abound.

For the record....I hate shoe moulding and curse it. I have seen nice homes where there is none of the convoluted mess around the perimeter of the room.

I wish so many things were different about how we build our houses and the materials that are used. We can do better and it is time for a change.

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Comments (9)

millworkman
5 years ago
You sure the floors are installed properly? Anyone who installs trim that bad makes you wonder....................
Dawn Lewis
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes I’m sure. My dad built homes for most of his life and he said they are. He lives in another state otherwise he would’ve just on the project for me. The owner is who did the floors and the stairs, which did a great job. His workers did the baseboards and shoe molding
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emilyam819
5 years ago
They need wood filler for the nail holes/cracks and paint. Who was supposed to do that?
Dawn Lewis
Original Author
5 years ago
They said a painter would do that, which is what I was planning on. I’m just trying to figure out a tactful way of getting him back here to fix what he promised. How often should I email? Mail a certified letter?
Dawn Lewis
Original Author
5 years ago
Ok good advice thank you! I honestly thought that and figured after a few referrals, the lady I bought flooring from uses him and 18 years experience it wouldn’t be an issue.
Mrs. S
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would call the contractor, write to the contractor, and pursue the repair, until you are sure he won‘t do it. I would let the contractor know you have excellent photos, and if he doesn't come and fix the work to your reasonable satisfaction, that you will be showing those photos to the lady you bought the flooring from, and the judge in the small claims court.

You probably have to notify him properly and give him a set time (don't know the law here, or in your state, or what your contract says….did you read it?) to rectify….. or you will get it done elsewhere and expect him to reimburse you. This is not easy to go through if you tend to be non-confrontational, but you CAN do it, and you will be smarter afterward.
Jude
5 years ago
Back in the day my mom put a sign in the front yard inviting people to come look at shoddy work done by XYZ Contractors. She then called the company to come see the sign. The company started working shortly after her call to fix their mess. Sign was up until work done correctly.
Rebekah L
5 years ago
@Jude's mom with the social media callout before there was social media. Nice!