I assume here that this is site-finished maple flooring, yes? If so, then perhaps the person who originally finished the flooring can do the expert repair for you. Basically what you want to do is replace the damaged section with matching material (if replacement is even warranted here) and then finish just those replacement boards with the same products originally used. Any good floor finisher ought to be able to make an almost invisible repair. I've done many. If you attempt to DIY this, then search youtube for videos posted by professionals describing the process.

Thanks, everyone. Jerry_t, according to the laminate installer, the problem is that he started at a doorway and the transition used on that doorway (as said before) is glued to concrete. It is solid maple custom stained and lacquered by a third party woodworker and could be destroyed in the process. The area is a basement landing about 3 x 8. The board is in the opposite corner as where he would have to start taking them up. It is those special transitions I don't want destroyed. True another one could be made, but I'd rather seek some sort of compensation for the scratch than have it replaced. I am asking for a case of laminate cleaner (about $100)instead of the repair. Does that sound fair? There are actually two different custom transitions that most likely in material alone are worth more than that. I just don't want to hassle with the redo and hoping the custom transitions turn out as well as they do now. I'm so sick of the hassle, I just want this guy to fix his crappy carpet work and get out of my house....disgusted.

If this restoration contractor did something so contrary to standard installation practices, I'd really hate to see what else he's done that you just didn't catch. He's a hack, pure and simple. And I'd take my complaints to whatever board of contractors that you have in your state as well as whatever consumer review websites are possible to leave reviews with. Nothing emotional, just the statement of facts: he violated the standard installation instructions from the manufacturer and refused to fix it.

So, I just talked to the remediation contractor who quoted me $1200. He told me he's licensed and bonded etc and has been doing this work for 30 years. He had been out and looked at my floor a few days ago and says that on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst case scenario, mine is about a quarter (1/4). I suppose he could be wrong, but I feel better now. Going to go ahead tomorrow or Monday and pull up all the warped section, then probably have him come by to do a check and maybe test before his flooring guy comes to give me an estimate on installation. I'm taking into consideration too that the plumber who has a good reputation with several people down the street is the one who referred me to him.