So we originally had vinyl flooring covering 100-year old thin plank flooring. Unfortunately, the addition of a large French door fridge freezer appliance tore holes in the vinyl. So we hired a handyman based on a recommendation to pull up the old floor down to the subfloor and install new 3/4" solid oak flooring. The problem is the handyman lied about having done flooring before, and I as the homeowner had to fix the floor with the remaining undamaged planks the best I could.

So I think I did a pretty good job considering the rushed timeline, lack of tools and not being a flooring pro myself. The problem I'm having is that despite making as tight a fit as possible with flooring left outside (covered, but exposed to outside humidity), I have sizable gaps forming. The other issue is from not having time or experience using leveling cement to reduce the subfloor dropping a full 1" wall to opposite wall cabinet edge.

Any thoughts or ideas? I can share pics of current floor issues if necessary.

Ah, a handyman. I avoid them for skilled projects.

"Not having time or experience using leveling cement to reduce the subfloor dropping a full 1" wall to opposite wall cabinet edge."

Cannot be used on a wood sub floor for best results.

"flooring left outside (covered, but exposed to outside humidity), I have sizable gaps forming"

Can't do that for best results either. The flooring is contracting and losing moisture resulting in gaps.

LD, I'm sorry you're going through this but...Going back to the basics is best.

http://uptownfloors.com/preparation/

Thanks for the response Ken. Seeing as how you don't recommend leveling cement to correct a sloping subfloor, what would be your recommendation? Replacing the subfloor is really not an option as we're working with a home built in 1925, with basement. I put shims from original floor back in to reduce the slope and help support the fridge, should it need to be moved out from wall.