To a certain extent, the judgement of how serious an imperfection is in a finished timber or cork floor will be in the eye of the beholder.

Some imperfections are only visible when the light is directly on them.

Others become less visible and can even disappear as the floor progressively wears under normal usage.

Irregularities in colour can also appear over time, such as yellowing from the sun, or lighter patches where rugs or furniture have been positioned.

If the client is unhappy with the appearance of their newly finished floor, your first response should be to look at the floor with them and discuss their concerns.

Be polite and understanding, and don't try to argue with them or tell them that they're wrong.

If you can't convince the client that the issues troubling them will diminish and become more acceptable over time, you may need to call in a professional inspector.

In this case, an independent expert will look at the floor and provide a formal report on any problems.

The Australian Standard that deals with the finishing of timber floors is AS 4786.2 - Timber Flooring - Sanding and finishing.

It includes an appendix which provides guidance on how to inspect a finished floor and what to look for when assessing its quality and acceptability.

However, AS 4786 does not provide precise specifications on individual imperfections.

Instead, it says that: 'assessment relies on judgement, and the outcome will vary from situation to situation'.

Below are some tips on how to inspect a floor's finish once the project has been completed.

Carrying out an inspection

The quality of a finished floor should be evaluated in terms of what the homeowners or occupiers will see under normal conditions.

It's best to carry out your inspection during daylight hours with the internal lights turned on.

Curtains and blinds should be in their usual position.

Stand in various locations that residents are likely to be in, and take into account the light reflections in areas that are not obscured by fixtures or furniture.

Keep in mind that some lighting conditions can accentuate particular problems when they're viewed from certain angles.

This especially applies to hallways with harsh down lights and floor areas that face glass sliding doors with daylight outside.

Consider the effect of foot traffic over time and the likely positioning of furniture and rugs.

In general, the floor should have an even appearance and be free from heavy sanding marks or frequent air bubbles.

Minor imperfections, such as slight sanding marks or small depressions in the finish at the edges of boards and in nail holes are generally acceptable.

These imperfections are likely to be more common in corners and other areas that are awkward to access.