The finished Osmo oiled floor and the issues I had to remove clearly showing a poorly finished parquet floor. Same room same angle different outcome.
At Parfait Parquet, our responsibility to a client does not end when the final coat of finish has dried.
In March 2022, I was contacted by a homeowner through a renovation group asking for advice about parquet floors that had recently been restored.
The work had been completed less than ten months earlier, but the homeowners were unhappy with the results. They had raised their concerns with the original contractor without reaching a satisfactory solution.
They were now facing the possibility of paying a second time to have the same floors restored.
For me, this was never about another flooring company. It was about a homeowner who needed professional advice and a practical solution.
Assessing the Damage
The property had two bedrooms and a salon with mosaic parquet flooring.
When I visited, I assessed each room individually to establish what could be restored and what could not.
The photographs accompanying this article show the condition of the floors at the time of my assessment.
The two bedrooms
Both bedroom floors had visible drum and barrel sanding marks left by the previous sanding process. The finish was also uneven and poorly applied.
These were not problems that could be corrected by simply applying another coat of finish.
Both floors needed to be fully sanded again to remove the previous finish and sanding marks before a new finish could be applied.
Fortunately, there was sufficient timber remaining to carry out the work safely.
The salon
Gap filler incorrectly used in the salon.
The salon floor presented a different problem. The mosaic parquet had suffered extensive damage, including poorly executed repairs. Some areas had been filled with resin and sawdust rather than repaired with properly fitted timber and glued repairs.
The parquet was also too thin to undergo another complete sanding and refinishing process.
After assessing its condition, I advised the homeowners that the floor could not be safely restored and recommended complete removal and replacement.
Sometimes the most important part of a professional assessment is being able to tell a client that a floor cannot be saved.
The Bedroom Floors
Bedroom 1 showing the issues with the parquet prior to starting our sanding process
I provided the homeowners with a written French devis explaining the restoration work required.
Once the work was agreed, I carried out the complete sanding and refinishing of both bedroom floors.
The previous sanding marks and uneven finish were removed, and the floors were restored to a consistent professional finish.
The homeowners were very happy with the results.
However, there was an unfortunate financial consequence.
They had now paid twice to have the same bedroom floors restored within less than ten months.
Bedroom II Before and After
No homeowner should have to face that situation without clear advice about what went wrong and what can realistically be done to put it right.
Why Client Support Matters
I chose to help these homeowners because I could see the situation they were in and knew that I could provide a solution.
I had no previous connection with them or their original flooring project.
My role was straightforward. Assess the floors, explain the options, provide a written estimate and complete the agreed restoration.
But good client support involves more than completing the physical work.
It means being available to answer questions, explaining the process, being clear about what can and cannot be achieved, and responding when a client has concerns.
At Parfait Parquet, our responsibility does not stop when the floor is finished.
I remain available to my clients long after a project has been completed. Whether they need maintenance advice, have a question about their floor or require further assistance, that support is part of the service I provide.
Why I Originally Shared This Story
I originally shared this project because I felt it was important to explain the circumstances in which I became involved and the professional assistance I provided.
Following the restoration work, questions were raised publicly about my involvement. I had no previous connection with the homeowners or the original project. They contacted me independently for professional advice.
My purpose in sharing this experience is to demonstrate how I assess damaged floors, explain the available solutions and support my clients.
The photographs show the condition of the floors and the results of the restoration work.
For me, this project was about helping a homeowner find a practical solution to a problem floor restoration.
A homeowner needed help, and I was able to provide it.
Every parquet restoration project is different.
Some floors can be fully restored. Others require repairs before sanding. Occasionally, a floor is too damaged or too thin to restore safely.
My responsibility is to give clients an accurate assessment, explain the available options and carry out the work we have agreed.
I cannot control the words or actions of another business.
I can control the standard of my own workmanship, the advice I give and the way I look after my clients.
That is what matters to me.
The photographs accompanying this article show why the floors needed attention and what was achieved through professional restoration.
For the homeowners, the most important outcome was having their bedroom floors properly restored after a difficult experience.
For me, it was another reminder that restoration is not simply about working with wood. It is also about looking after the people who trust us with their homes.
This was my clients feedback on completion of the works for the two bedrooms
Brad Quarless
Parfait Parquet
Professional parquet restoration, repairs and traditional wood floor care in France.
#ParfaitParquet #ParquetRestoration #FloorRestoration #ClientCare #FrenchHomes
