I was going to write a book on our problem with Mr. Hardwood but decided to simplify for the readers sake.
We dealt with Mr. Denis Brazeau, the owner, for a quote to install matching hardwood in one room and to re-finish the rest of the floor in our two story house. Later, but before scheduling the job, we added an additional room to the install.
- Install time quote: 2 days, scheduled for a Thursday. We could be in the house during this period.
- Re-finish time quote: 3 days, scheduled for the following Monday. We booked a hotel for four nights, three days (two nights) for the work, one extra night for drying, and one as a buffer in case of issues. Scheduled return to the house: Friday, 5:00 pm
Issue #1: When the crew showed up to install on the Thursday they did not have matching wood as indicated in the quote - one week delay
Issue #2: The crew did not show up on the rescheduled day. When we got in touch with Denise he told us it should only take one day instead of two.
Issue #3: When the crew showed up on Friday they said it was definitely a two day install and that Denise did not write the additional room on the quote. Fortunately we had an email from Denise confirming the extra room. This delayed the re-finishing by one day so we pushed our hotel booking out by one day.
Issue #4: Saturday morning, the day we were supposed to return, we checked the house and only one coat had been applied. We had not been informed that we could not come back in nor were we told that they would not come in to finish the job on Saturday. Apparently, they had not worked full time at our house due to other contracts. An additional two nights at the hotel was required.
Issue #5: When we finnaly returned to the house, the finish was completely unacceptable. The grain and the edges of the boards had sucked in the finish leaving tiny holes all over the floor. It looked horrible. As it turns out, they used two coats instead of the three recommended by the stain and urethane manufacturer. Another night in the hotel.
Issue # 6: After the third coat was applied and we got back in the house, we noticed high sheen and dull patches throughout the house. The re-finishers had applied the wrong sheen. Another night in the hotel.
When we finnally returned to the house for good, we saw several flaws but just wanted to get the job over and done with. We agreed to a reduced price for all the hassle. But the story does not end there.
Issue #7: It is four months later and we are seeing the finish lifting slightly at many of the edges between boards. It has a grey appearance. Initially, I thought it was because of issues with the old floor, but it is happening to the new floor as well.
Over all this was a horrible experience and we will never deal with Mr Hardwood again.
Sorry, I guess it did turn into a book after all.
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