Master Of None

Red flags and lessons from a disastrous flooring experience

When I hire a professional, I expect them to k

now their job. In construction, it is often challenging to find honest tradespeople who can do their work without the homeowner having to manage them or figure out that the tradesperson did it all wrong.

Before I realized I had to redo everything for the umpteenth time, I had replaced my water-damaged floor and was eagerly anticipating finishing it. I am exaggerating when I say ‘umpteenth, but it’s because we’ve had to redo things several times over. One renovation can be a nightmare, let alone multiple ones.

After years, the end of my renovation finally seemed within reach. The flooring was one of several items that needed completion and I had not yet become aware of the structural issues that continue to plague me to this day. The floor was a rustic looking oak but some areas had suffered water damage which had left dark stains. The contractor wanted to bleach the entire floor to remove the staining and ensure an even tone.