New wood will never match old. It all needs to be sanded down and refinished. His error was not making that clear up front.

It was all sanded…the old floor sanded 4x

Was the old floor refinished this time around? Are you sure the original floors are red oak? Do you have before pictures?

The Floor company told us our original floors are red oak. Yes, the old floor was sanded 4x and the newly installed oak was also sanded.

All finished in Silvered Gray.

*stained…not yet finished because the color does not match.

Room I’m standing in (can’t see here) was sanded 4 times. Room to left is living previously sanded, stained and finished by same floor company.

New wood acclimating.

If, new and old was finished the same time. it should be a closer match. only thing i can think of, is that you di not have s species match. do you have pictures of the old floor prior to it being refinished?

Best I could find. Photo of room from 2019

With all of that being said, we hired a professional flooring company. A brick and mortar showroom. Shouldn’t they be responsible for matching wood? Shouldn’t they be responsible for advising the home owner that the outcome we want may not be possible? Because I would have easily chosen tile for this kitchen had I know otherwise. 6 and one half to the other to me because as soon as this renovation is completed, this home is going on the market.

As suspected, incorrect species match. You have white oak.

Everyone makes mistakes. This is a costly one.

How can you tell from a picture??? The flooring company told us we had red oak. PLEASE explain.

I'm not quite sure what you are communicating.

I do suggest that you need to start being more forceful with workmen in your home. Going outside to cry it out for 45 minutes because your husband is 45 minutes away is not handling a situation. Waiting on husband to text the flooring owner is not handling a situation. Pick up a phone or drive to their brick and mortar office if necessary. I'd go there in person and have them explain to me my options and what happened more fully since the owner won't come to you.

It sounds as if you have not paid the floor company completely. If so, then you have some leverage.

Since you intend to sell this house, do you really really care if the flooring is not silvered grey? Yes, I get that you want it to match and the firm did not produce what was promised, but can you stain the lighter colored flooring to match the darker?

I did not cry it out for 45 minutes. Maybe 5. We live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and this flooring company is in Virginia Beach. It’s an hour or so drive to this business and by appointment only. Plus includes crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnels…Toll Bridge costing $20+ each way. Did you read the Pro’s response??? We have two wood species. Red oak and white oak. They screwed up!!

It’s not just about the colors alone…the lacing job sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in to the door from outside. Color wise, we have three different colors in three separate rooms now that are all connected. Messing with the living room now is NOT an option. We already had them sand, stain and finish that room two years ago.

I understand there’s a test that can determine the difference definitively . Sodium Nitrite. Have you used this and if so where can I purchase this?

Another way to verify, go dumpster diving and pull out the floor boards from the lace-in and look on tge underside. Red oak is pink, white oak is greenish brown.

Old flooring is also stamped with cut and species.

😭 They took it with them.

Yes, you can purchase a tannin test from a wood floor supply distributer. you may be able to get one from city floor supply.

I’ve been using Houzz for about 3 1/2 years now - I’ve read many posts re: floor refinishing because I am going to have my hardwood floors refinished shortly.

G & S Floor Services is an EXPERT - and has provided assistance to many users over the years. If G & S’s identification is white oak, I’d spend the money in order to have a confirmation test - you’ll need it in order to recoup your money (if your flooring company fails to remediate the project).

The following is being provided for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship has been established. I am not licensed in the state of Virginia, and, therefore, am not providing legal advice. Please contact an attorney licensed in your state.

If I were you, I would not make anymore phone calls - all communications should be in writing. Texts have been determined to = “in writing” re: legal purposes (evidence) in a 2015 Virginia Court of Appeals decision. However, using emails is better when possible (some courts have stringent authentication requirements in order for texts to be used - and as I am not licensed in Virginia, I am not well versed in this area in your jurisdiction).

FYI - in Virginia, it appears that small claims recovery is limited to $5,000. Small claims has more “relaxed” requirements re: evidence that is admissible vs. other courts. If your damages exceed that amount, you’d have to file in limited actions - but you’d need to retain an attorney in order to do so.

The good news for you is that it appears that basically any residential improvement work performed by a contractor in Virginia requires a license. There are very specific provisions required in a written contract for improvement/renovation work performed in your state. If a contractor fails to (i) have a written contract for work, or (ii) such written contract fails to comply with all requirements (including the ten required provisions), the contractor will be subject to fines, penalties penalties, and/or loss of his/her license.

There also is a recovery fund that has been established to help offset losses suffered by homeowners caused by contractors (whether due to a breach of contract/negligence/etc.).

Do you have a signed contract for the work being performed? Does it contain an attorney’s fees provision (if there is a breach, the prevailing party is entitlted to receive an award for his/her attorney’s fees + certain legal expenses)?

Even if your contract does not include this type pf provision (most likely it doesn’t), attorney’s fees may be recoverable under the home improvement/renovation statute enacted in your jurisdiction (I did not read through all of it - but can confirm that your state does have a statute that addresses residential home improvement/renovations). In my state of residence, attorney’s fees and certwin legal expenses are recoverable pursuant to the provisions of the residential home renovations/improvements/services statute.

Also, in my state of residence, a homeowner may contact the state consumer protection agency re: contractor issues. I am not sure about Virginia - but you could contact your agency in order to ask questions.

Hopefully, you won’t need any of the above information! Typically, it’s better (easier) to try to work out a solution with your contractor vs. taking legal action.

Good luck!

I’ve since read some reviews about this company online. They seem to have this pattern of falling off the radar when things go awry. I think this may be the case. The owner knows he’s made a huge mistake, therefore he’s shut down all communication even going so far as saying in a text that “ we are at an impasse”. Thank you for pointing out other options. I will persue all avenues to get this resolved.

Agreed White Oak existing. It does have some faint green tones.

Carla - have you made any progress with your flooring contractor?

Based upon the facts that have been supplied, you appear to be in a good position to recover against them if it comes down to that. It’s still a pain to have to go through all of this - sorry that you’re dealing with a jerk.

The daughter of the owner reached out on Tuesday wanting to make things right. She apologized for not getting back with me sooner. She sent her husband out here yesterday with a white oak test kit and sure enough, both of our rooms are white oak floors. So today, he came back with white oak. It’s acclimating and right now he is painstakingly taking out the newly installed red oak floor.
The white oak is a little costlier, but they are taking on that cost. He is also going to fix the lacing job.
I will update with photos when everything gets going again.
THANK YOU ALL for your knowledge and willingness to help!! Much appreciated!!!!

So happy to hear! Happy that the company came back out to test the species + that they’ve taken responsibility (as they should) to correct their mistake! They must care about customer sevice - absorbing the extra cost helps offset the extra time/mess + aggravation you’ve had to endure.

Pease post photos when it’s all finished!