Am I the only one who had a vinyl plank job go sideways because of a concrete floor that wasn't flat enough?

Three months ago, I was doing a big install in a basement rec room over in Springfield. The homeowner had already bought the planks and was sure the slab was ready. I did my usual check with a 6-foot level and found a low spot about an 1/8 inch deep over 3 feet. I told him we really needed to skim coat it first, but he was on a tight schedule and budget. Against my better judgment, we went ahead. Fast forward to last week, I got the call. The floor is making loud clicking noises when you walk on it, and a few of the click joints have started to separate near that low area. It's a total callback situation. How do you guys handle a client who pushes back on the prep work when you know it's going to cause problems later? Do you just walk away from the job?

3 comments

3 Comments

lunaf671mo ago

Ever think a waiver just gives them a paper to blame you with later? I'd never risk my rep like @murphy.abby does. If they won't do the prep right, that job isn't worth the headache.

kevin_west27d ago

Yeah, I started doing what @murphy.abby said with a basic waiver. It makes the client stop and actually think about the risk. Most times they just fix the prep work once they see it in writing. Saves a lot of future arguments.

murphy.abby1mo ago

Man, that 1/8 inch over 3 feet is the exact spec that always comes back to bite you. I had a client in a similar spot last year and I started making them sign a waiver if they refused the prep. I write up a simple note saying they understand the floor isn't flat to maker specs and that future problems like noise or separation aren't covered under my workmanship warranty. Half the time they sign it and you're covered, the other half they finally listen and get the skim coat done. Walking away is tough but sometimes you gotta protect your name.