Here is a LINK showing what different refinishing mistakes look like. It's possible the finish was unevenly applied, but I don't know what this floor looked like before the work started. I would never use a gloss finish on an old floor as it highlights any variation.

My husband is a retired contractor and says that you should never hire someone without a written contract. It protects you and the contractor by detailing the work to be done and the materials you want used. When you specify Duraseal, they can't get away with using Minwax. The contractor should be required in writing to pass on specifications to subcontractors. Should a designated product be unavailable, the substitute should be discussed with and approved by you first. The contract also details when payments are required, and payment is usually split into thirds. It is common for a contractor to hire sub-contractors to do particular jobs. You would not expect carpenters to put down tile or vinyl flooring, so why would they refinish wood flooring?

G & S Floor Service has given great advice here.

"I had the finisher back out and he says he doesn’t see ripples in the floor. "

Of course he can't.........................

I can't speak to the particular product used to finish your flooring, but when I sealed my oak furniture each application of product added more sheen to the wood. So, I don't think the worker was lying about that.

After 4 attempts you are welcome to tell the contractor that you are no longer interested in working with him/her and that you will need to find your own hardwood flooring professional (www.nwfg.org) who can and will refinish the floor with competence.

In the building industry, the rule of thumb is a contractor is to be given ONE (1) attempt at fixing a problem they created. After that ONE attempt, the owner is allowed to look elsewhere for a "fix" - on the original contractor's dime. In other words, the original contractor is STILL on the hook for the COST of fixing the issue.

But it gets complicated when you try to GET the money from them. So a "deal" is normally reached. In your case, you can state that they will not be receiving the rest of the money for the FLOORING project because you need to find your own professional to fix their mistake.

It takes delicate negotiating skills to get this to work WHILE MAINTAINING a working relationship with the GC. You can explore discounts on other items to "knock off" some of the money owed to you for having to pay for another professional to fix the GC's mistakes.

If you must, you can have your floor inspected by an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector. You can then use that document to "encourage" the GC to do what is required.

@blondelle - A hardwood floor requires a MIMIMUM of 3mm of wood ABOVE the tongue to allow for another sand/refinish. A cross section of the floor should be viewed (a quick view is often found where floor vents are located) and the wood ABOVE the tongue should be measured to ensure your wood floor has enough "meat" on it to allow a full sand refinish.