Gap between doorway casing and new laminate flooring- should the builders fix?

[Caroline147]

Hi everyone,

We have just had builders/decorators in for several tasks in our flat, with fairly good (but not great!) results. One of the tasks was laying new laminate flooring throughout several rooms, but with beading round the edge instead of new skirting boards due to budget. However, there is now a gap between the bottom of the doorway and the flooring (see pics).

Is this because they fitted it badly? Should they have fitted beading underneath? Or is it simply because our doorways are too short and we need to find a solution?

We’re now making a list of all the items they need to fix / complete before we’re happy with their work- but I’m not sure if this one is a reasonable one for us to complain about?

Would appreciate any thoughts ASAP! Thanks in advance

The door frames and architrave have been cut to allow the floor to slide underneath, which is normal, but they are now too short. The issue is whether the workmen did this or if this was done when the original floor was laid. If it’s the latter, it’s not their fault.

Either way it may be able to be resolved with some carefully applied filler or caulk.

Cheap way is to caulk it the more expensive way would be to install plinth blocks - like you see in Victorian properties. I would get them to caulk it.

I can't tell on my computer when I look at the images but on the second image have they just cut the beading to fit and installed it because the better way is to finish the end with a return so you don't have white beading with an end that shows the core (brown bit.) Hard to explain but this video shows you how to fit beading.

The bit you need to watch closely is the bit at 3.00 to 4.00 to see how the end is covered up.

Presumably you had carpet before?

Carpet with underlay is much thicker than laminate floor, so there will always be a gap if you swap one for the other.

Not the floor fitters fault and not a lot you can do really.

Just caulk it.

Thanks all, really helpful! It had been previously cut as carpet was down, so looks like we’ll have to caulk it.

@selpmegod, we’ll ask them to do this, thanks!