Flooring Warranty Claim Denied? What to Do Next

If your wood flooring warranty claim was denied, ask for the denial and the manufacturer's inspection report in writing, then get an independent inspection from an NWFA certified inspector who does not work for the manufacturer. Most denials cite moisture, "environmental conditions" or installation errors, and each of those can be checked with measurements.

Why flooring claims get denied

• Moisture or humidity: the manufacturer says the home's humidity was outside the warranty range or the subfloor was too wet.

• Installation: the installer is said to have skipped acclimation, used the wrong fasteners or adhesive, or left too little expansion space.

• Maintenance: wet-mopping, the wrong cleaners, or lack of floor protectors.

• Normal characteristics: the issue is described as natural wood behavior, such as seasonal gaps or color variation.

Steps to take after a denial

1. Request the full inspection report, photos and moisture readings the manufacturer relied on.

2. Read the warranty's installation and maintenance requirements carefully.

3. Gather your own records: the installation date, the installer's moisture readings, acclimation notes, product lot numbers, and any humidity logs.

4. Hire an independent NWFA certified inspector to measure moisture content, relative humidity and subfloor conditions, and to review the installation.

5. Send the independent report to the manufacturer, retailer and installer and ask for the claim to be reconsidered.

6. If the dispute continues, an attorney may need an expert witness report and testimony.

Can a denied claim be reversed?

Yes, when the independent findings show the cause was a manufacturing defect, or that the conditions the denial relied on were measured incorrectly. A clear, standards-based report gives the manufacturer, retailer or insurer a reason to revisit the decision. If the dispute goes to court or arbitration, a flooring expert witness can present those findings.

Get an independent opinion

Joe Avila, NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector, leads National Wood Floor Consultants. We inspect disputed floors and provide expert witness services in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and major cities including Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Call (908) 232-6600.

About The Author

Joe Avila is the founder and lead consultant of National Wood Floor Consultants, with 26 years in wood flooring. He is an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector, installer and sander, and teaches accredited AIA, ASID and IDCEC continuing education for architects and designers. His project experience includes Montclair University, One Wall Street, institutional and landmark buildings, and luxury residences and penthouses, and he pioneered subfloor sound-attenuation systems for New York City apartments. Read Joe's full profile.

Related reading

• Hardwood floor inspection services

• Wood flooring expert witness services

• What a flooring expert witness does and when attorneys need one

• Installation defect or manufacturing defect?

• How to verify an NWFA certified inspector

• Engineered hardwood problems: delamination, peaking and when to call an inspector

• What does a hardwood floor inspection include?

• Common hardwood flooring defects and what causes them

Need an independent answer? Call (908) 232-6600 or book an inspection with Joe Avila.