I'm installing glue-down engineered flooring. I paid to have an installer come undercut the fireplace and door jambs today. On the mantel, he said they don't undercut it and just butt the wood up against it. They did cut under the two decorative molding pieces.

I assume the mantel is attached to the fireplace and not simply resting on the floor. Should I go ahead and undercut the entire thing? Seems like it would be a cleaner look and it would also be a lot easier to install that section since I could slide a piece under the mantel and then pull it back to close the T&G.



Here is an picture showing the entire mantel...

Yes

Wow, you paid to have that abortion done? I'd look fo somone else with the proper tools. What did they use a hand held grinder, it's not even straight.

Hate to say....that is a mess.

Usually on a mantel...I would undercut about 3/4" -1" depth, and chisel it out. I do the same on any vertical object that may be partially supported by sitting on the subfloor.

Actually Jeff's idea works too. When you slide the hardwood underneath....you gain the same support, that you originally had.

Yes, I personally would have undercut that decorative trim(that is all it really is)

They used a router style jamb saw. The thing is I couldn't really inspect the work until after it was done. At that point, it was to late. When I took the pictures is when I noticed how bad the cuts are.

The cuts can be touched up in different ways, after installation. It's just too bad extra PITA work was created for no reason.

I wouldn't let them near that nice oak mantle.