Customer insisted on 'floating' the laminate but then freaked when it shifted

So I'm installing Coretec laminate in this lady's kitchen, she's all excited about how it's DIY-friendly, but when I get there she wants it floating with no glue. I explain the click-lock system is solid but subfloor needs to be flat, we use the 6mm underlayment like always. Halfway through, her kid runs in with muddy shoes and boom, a plank shifts a bit. She loses it, calls me at midnight demanding I fix it 'permanently' or she's posting on Yelp. Watched a video from Essential Craftsman on subfloor prep to double-check my work, but man, these homeowners think laminate's like magic carpet. Posted about this in Flooring Contractors Network and half the guys said just walk away. NGL, I was laughing on the drive home, but it was a crap-show. Shoulda charged extra for the drama.

Homeowners who watch one YouTube video and think they're experts are the WORST. Every damn time with the floating floors.

Dude, same thing happened to me on a Pergo job last year. Felt your pain reading that.

Walked into a similar mess last week, client blamed me for the whole install when it was their uneven slab. Pissed me off, had to redo a section for free just to shut them up.

Just tell them floating means it moves a little, like engineered wood does.

Never use less than 100lb roller for underlayment adhesion, even on floating installs. Prevents 90% of shifts.

Shifting laminate is usually poor subfloor prep, not the install. But yeah, clients don't get that.

Man, I've been doing floors 15 years and still get these calls. Hang in there, brother.

Kids and pets are the real enemies of new floors. Felt that midnight call story.

Floating floors are fine for low traffic, but explain the expansion gap upfront. Avoids freakouts.

SewerSurfer2 here, wait no, just venting - these clients make me wanna switch trades.

Document EVERYTHING. Photos, videos, signed waivers on floating risks. Saved my ass twice.

Coretec is great, but if they want 'permanent,' suggest glue-down LVP instead next time.

Frustrated with these entitled types too. One lady sued over a 'gap' that was normal.

Haha, muddy shoes kid is classic. My install got wrecked by a dog once, owner acted shocked.

This is why I don't do residential anymore. Too many headaches like this.

Commiserating hard, man. Had a similar laminate shift from furniture drag. Client was cool about it though.