Thread: acceptable parquetry standards

I'm no expert, but I wouldn't call that an acceptable job.....

Looks like poor workmanship to me but I am no expert. Have you paid for it yet?

The Parquetry used was not first grade and the filler is incorrect for the timber , there is no reason that the correct colour filler was not used ( unless the contractor did not have any and was to lazy READ CHEAP to by it).

The Parquetry used is probably 3rd grade,and has been badly laid , hence the 2mm gaps, and the sap veins visible, these pieces should have been used on the edges were they could cut out the defects.

if you are having second thoughts ( which you are due to the post) ,
I would demand that the contractor correct the faults ,the floor should have been sanded to level the blocks, before sealing and finishing. I would get another flooring contractor to inspect the floor, and do a written report , this may cost you a couple of dollars, but it will give you ammunition if you take legal action.

If he jacks up, show him a copy of excerpts from the report, (not the whole report ) just some minor comments. Keep the rest for the ombudsman or the courts.

Jeff

PS.. 3 years supplying the flooring trade in Queensland with Abrasives & coatings

Originally Posted by vk4

The Parquetry used is probably 3rd grade,and has been badly laid , hence the 2mm gaps, and the sap veins visible, these pieces should have been used on the edges were they could cut out the defects.

3rd grade you are not right on that, where is the gum vain then,

the blocks are select, parq is only sold in sel / std grade & both must be machined to the same toloerances.

the gaps are because the pattern has got out of sqaure & they have kept of laying instead of trying to sqaure it up.

filler colour the guy must have been colour blind,

not being level. i think the blocks were not glued correclty & are lifting, they must have spread to much glue & its tacked off.

i am sure glock with be here to bit his 2cents in soon.

Originally Posted by biwood

We need help and advise.
We contracted to lay parquetry.

the starting point is what does your contract actually say.
How is the work described?
How are your expectations captured in the contract documentation?
What exactly did you contract for? I assume the parquet is an overlay, who was responsible for preparing the sub-floor, including ensuring it was the right thickness and stability? The parquetry contractor, another contractor or you ?

Originally Posted by biwood

And we have big problem with the quality of final work.
Please see attached photos of the final job.
The light collared parquetry has a lot of gaps filled with dark coloured filler, which makes gaps very contrasting.
There are a few pieces of parquetry not perfectly attached; they are visibly protruding above general level of the parquetry.
The contractor states that it is normal for parquetry to have gaps up to 2mm wide as per Australian standards and they also saying that having filler that does not match colour of the parquetry is not a problem.

before excepting this explanation, you will need to see the Australian standard.
if the contractor is saying the work is to the Standard, they should be able to show you the relevant part of the applicable standard. (your local library should have an online subscription to the Australian standards, but a quick google search doesn't turn up a link to an Australian standard, so the contractor might be refering to the BCA (Building Code of Australia))
I found this reference http://www.buildingcommission.com.au...T_GUIDE_07.pdf
which (on page 50) suggests that gaps of 2mm between adjacent boards is acceptable provided that the gap is less than 1 metre long (parquetry pieces are much less than 1m in length) and (on page 51) acceptable difference in level is 4mm in any 2m length

though personally I think if the end of a board is sticking up, it's a tripping hazard

Originally Posted by biwood

We are shocked with the quality of the workmanship and don’t believe that good quality of parquetry would have so many gaps at uneven angles and we would like to here comments from parquetry experts/professionals and people associated with parquetry work.
Please advise if this work can be considered acceptable?
Can this be fixed? What is the cause of these issues poor workmanship or poor quality parquetry or both?

need more information

this guide from Boral may help you get started with the sorts of questions you need to ask yourselves http://www.boral.com.au/brochures/or...company=TIMBER


and NO, I am not a flooring contractor, nor do I work for a building contractor


and I agree what you have looks crap

I am no expert but I would have thought that there would be a case for the filler to be replaced.
presumably the contractor is not expecting to be able to use you as a reference.
Gaza's comment about being out of square certainly looks like a feasible cause

G'day mate ..My trade was parquetry ,cork tiles ,timber floors ,floating timber floors / floor sander for Bunters Carpets /John Winters Carpets Mittagong N.S.W .My father has been in the Floorcovering game for over 45 years. I only had to look at a few pictures and that parquetry job is a disgrace to the flooring industry!! I would be making them rip it up and refund your money and get a real tradesman !!

I am much obliged to every one who responded to our query regarding the quality of parquetry produced by our parquetry contractor.

Thanks to your comments Ian!

1.Unfortunately this work was arranged on the basis of a quotation written In terms of material and labour cost and there was only a verbal contract.

2.Prior to the acceptance of the quotation, we inspected a work done by this contractor using identical parquetry material and we really liked the quality of finished work.Unfortunately this contractor uses different teams of tradesmen and we coped a lemon.

3.There were no other people responsible for the work, but the contractor. The whole work right from the scratch was carried out by the contractor's tradesmen and
the parquetry had to be a select grade.

Originally Posted by biwood

Prior to the acceptance of the quotation, we inspected a work done by this contractor using identical parquetry material and we really liked the quality of finished work. Unfortunately this contractor uses different teams of tradesmen and we coped a lemon.

OK, given this who communicated the view that

that it is normal for parquetry to have gaps up to 2mm wide as per Australian standards and they also saying that having filler that does not match colour of the parquetry is not a problem.

the contractor, or the team who did teh work?
Have you spoken to the principal contractor or only to the team who did the work?

Have you paid for the work? If not there may be a way to get the work rectified.
Your first step would be to get a report from a reputable independent source -- possibly the Architecture Centre -- stating how your parquetry departs from acceptable practice
with a suitable report you are in a position to commence action for recovery through your state's Building warranty / compensation scheme or via direct action

as to

the parquetry had to be a select grade.

as far as I can see, it is, BUT the pieces with very prominant gum veins should not have been used where they were
The Boral document is very clear on this