Would you complain/have this redone?

[SamuelDJackson]

So we have spent a lot of time and money having oak herringbone parquet put in, I had been really pleased with the progress so far. Today it was finished and I was asked to go in and look at it/take photos so if there was any damage due to further works we could be sure what caused it

DH decided to let them oil the wood instead of the lacquer we had initially planned (because it was easier for the workmen), which brings out the grain and gives a redder tone. Instead of a more uniform paler honey, cold yellow toned floor its now a bit more like brash 70s pine, and not the classic background I wanted. This is a DH problem and nothing to do with the workmen, but I am really pissed as it is completely different to our planned colour schemes and the look I was going for and I am really disappointed to be spending so much money, getting so close to the look we were going for (historically restoring the house) and then having it completely altered because DH got talked round by the contractor into something. It looks very 'now' but that wasnt what we had planned. The oil will also allow the wood to age/develop patina with light meaning that it will have marks and changes in colour due to furniture and sunlight exposure, rather than the paler consistent blank canvas I was going for, its matt rather than gloss, and will need reapplying/maintaing more frequently

Looking at it closely there are issues with the finish - there are leftover glue blobs in several visible places, several joints with visible glue and a large patch where excess oil has been left to dry giving a thick clump/discoloured/uneven surface effect across a doorway, and the oil has really accentuated circular scratches from the buffer/sander in several areas (possibly grit on the buffer or not fine enough buffing?) so it looks like an old worn floor that has been buffed and reoiled. (Might have to zoom in on pics here as its hard to capture on a photo, but the circular scrapes are visible from standing in natural light)

Im usually a glass half full person but for a moment or two wanted to cry - the lovely pale gold/honey oak that i saw being put on the floor now looks like the scratched tatty floor of a bistro with high footfall, the rooms look smaller and darker and I would have to start from scratch with the period restoration colour plans as the shade and look is so different

The trouble is - DH agreed to the change, and to have it rebuffed and lacquered would be extra time and money we do not have. I could live with it (although would probably be a bit resentful and regretful that it doesnt have the right aesthetic)- but part of me wants to have them come back and either redo the whole now and lacquer it, or at least repair the bits with poor finish

Is this an acceptable finish for parquet? and what would you do?

I think once you have furniture in it won't show at all. I can't actually see what the issue is from the photo.It's beautiful. It's also wood and therefore you will have lots of scrapes and scratches just through wear and tear and the beauty of wood is it all smooths down and looks fine.

That corner needs sorting, but I think I would be OK with the rest.

Surely you could have it buffed and lacquered at any point in the future, if you really can't get used to it?

It looks lovely. Could you grow to like it? We had herringbone laid last week and I thought I’m sure that’s not the colour I chose, but now I think it looks great x

It’s a lovely colour, not dark at all.

Maybe a full room photo would show more of the reddish colour or a plain, un-oiled plank next to them to show before/after. I’d get the issues repaired (1) and (2) if you really don’t like the colour, get it resurfaced and done the way you wanted but do not blame the contractor, blame DH. We have a cool tone wood herringbone floor (see below) and I’d DIE if the colour I chose before we moved was last minute changed to a warm undertone….. it wouldn’t go with the kitchen, furniture or anything and I’m sensitive to subtle tones. I won’t buy a coat if the buttons are off 😂😂

I am not a natural complainer and I think things get used/scraped/bumped in a home so I am not precious, but that damage isn’t ok. I would also want to be sure those strange shaped ends would be ok/covered at the end. The scratches and discolouration are definitely not on.
I am sorry about the colour, I would be gutted too with what you describe, however in the pics to me the wood still looks cool-coloured, nothing like the 70’s pine of my childhood. If that is any consolation!

This is our floor, done in the 1990s and lacquered. It does look rather like 1970s pine, I admit. The lacquer has protected the floor from staining however, which may not be the case if it's just oiled? It's never had to have any attention apart from an occasional wash.
It has faded where there are very sunny areas.

There shouldn't be any blobs of glue or unevenly oiled areas though. That seems careless. If you'd had a new carpet instead you wouldn't expect to have loose threads or uneven colour!

Whoops forgot picture...

I should have had a 3rd option on the poll - blame DH for altering the plans.

My plan was a finish much more like yours brunettenorthern91, which would have fitted the cool toned, spacious scandi æsthetic of the house and the furniture/colourscheme we already have in place

Ill add some bigger photos for judgement of the pine sauna look, unfortunately the electricity is switched off on that side of the house at the moment
I am sure I could get used to it, change my colour scheme and make it work - you can get used to many things but the whole idea of getting the building work done was that we would have the design the way we wanted, not a 'good enough' option that doesnt quite meet expectations. And yes, it will be used and over the years changed by wear, but that doesnt mean I dont care that there are scratches on it and glue drops/bodge jobs from poor workmanship on day 1.

I think we need to ask the floor guys back anyway to sort out the scratches and glue issues but its hard to decide whether to ask for a complete resurface and finish

In these photos it definitely looks more red, I would get it re done.

In the first pictures it looks fine the second pictures... sorry op that's really red and makes the room look dark and small. I would get it re done.

Mmm now I’ve seen the latest photos it is a bit of a pine overload

Ok so immediate JAIL for DH.

I can see the vision and the red tones ruin it. My only reason to say don’t blame the contractors and ask them nicely to correct DHs error, is that (1) we still need them to fix it and (2) if you are nice and sympathetic, you may get it for free…. I ordered incorrect sized laminate (too narrow) to go into my DHs old house before selling and I was very sincerely apologetic that they gave us replacement for free!

Not quite as easy to fix here but perhaps a discount. I’d just say DH I don’t think realised the oil would be more pine tone finish and it now doesn’t match the other purchases you’ve made for the house. (I don’t condone lying but maybe lie and say you have a cool tone sofa in storage and other items 🤷🏻‍♀️😂)

im so sorry… id be so angry I’d be silent at DH 😂😂 it’s otherwise so beautiful!

Wouldn’t they have to sand it and then lacquer it ? The oil sinks in quite far so I’d be wondering if that meant the floor was noticeably thinner and wouldn’t last as long

That is what is worrying me- not so much the thickness/longevity as its 18mm but that sanding it down may not get rid of the oil staining completely and so we would end up with a similar color being lacquered in.
DH and I have had words - as I was clear over wanting light finish/lac, but he can be a bit of a pushover and got talked round by the flooring guys. Hes a bit chastened over the choices made - and on going round the house himself agrees that the rooms now look completely different to the original idea (its nice, but not really our style) and the finish is too dark/warm toned.
He has called the coordinating manager and floor guys. They will come round next week, meet us for a look/discussion of options and we will decide what to do then. So it means a further week of delay and we cant really paint more than the white/neutral walls as we don't know what colour the floor will end up/whether its worth resurfacing or we just have to live with it
Plus they want to charge us for it as extra work (which Im inclined to argue given that the issue is both the oil and the scratch/tide marks)