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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will I learn to love it?

111 replies

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 16:42

Bathroom just done after months and months of planning.
Wood effect tiles and asked for same colour grout.

They've gone and put grey grout!

Didn't get a chance to see it until it was dry. Apparently this is the closest colour to their eyes.

So annoyed.
Have looked up changing it on YouTube but can't trust I won't make it worse.

First world probs I know. Literally no £ left to get someone else.

Have you had renovation disappointments you've learned to love?

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 23:22

Shelleyblueeyes · 18/06/2026 23:19

I hear you but it might be worth one more go at putting up with him if you are going to get the finished product that you want.

Otherwise every time you go in there you'll be thinking God I bloody hate that grout.

Go on. Send him a message tomorrow (don't call - a message gives him time to digest it and go from there.

Good luck x

Show quote history

Thank you, i need to calm down first. Though of him makes my stomach drop.

OP posts:
Shelleyblueeyes · 18/06/2026 23:19

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:52

Thank you. It's just the stress of it. He huffs and puffs when you mention anything. It's been so much and feel like one more thing will make him blow.

Show quote history

I hear you but it might be worth one more go at putting up with him if you are going to get the finished product that you want.

Otherwise every time you go in there you'll be thinking God I bloody hate that grout.

Go on. Send him a message tomorrow (don't call - a message gives him time to digest it and go from there.

Good luck x

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 23:18

Beachdrift · 18/06/2026 23:15

You’re sounding very scared of your tiler, OP! It looks fine to me, but if it’s not what you wanted, get him to redo. His mistake, his fix.

We had wonderful builders/tilers just before Christmas, but nice though they all were, they had no eye for how anything looked. They couldn’t see the difference between the right grout and the wrong grout colour, or what wall colour looked right.

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Thank you..unfortunately his short fuse has risen to the surface the longer he's been here, hence asking here than asking him to redo.

Edit: At least yours were lovely ☺️ , do they cover the Home Counties? 😅. Ours were recommended too which is frustrating.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 23:16

Peakyblinder18 · 18/06/2026 22:56

Get a discount but don't change it I
think you will grow to love it too.😊

He would offer to redo than refund, then would drag his feet and be in and out indefinitely. Just can't face it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 23:15

Plasticdreams · 18/06/2026 22:54

Grey grout what planet are they on

Thank you. I know, grey and brown! 👀

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Beachdrift · 18/06/2026 23:15

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:52

Not great photos but I'm actually scared of it being outing and him finding out I'm complaining about his work.

Pathetic I know, especially when paying for the privilege.

You can see the grey corner, only its shiny in real life 😭😭😭.

You’re sounding very scared of your tiler, OP! It looks fine to me, but if it’s not what you wanted, get him to redo. His mistake, his fix.

We had wonderful builders/tilers just before Christmas, but nice though they all were, they had no eye for how anything looked. They couldn’t see the difference between the right grout and the wrong grout colour, or what wall colour looked right.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 23:15

Beenwhereyouareagain · 18/06/2026 22:54

It looks nice, although the corner sealant is a much lighter gray.
BUT- what matters is that this is not what you wanted, and if you don't have them fix it now you're stuck with it. If anyone paints it, it should be them. Cleaned, painted well, and sealed with something non-shiny. The corner looks like it's silicone. They should be able to remove it and replace with something non-shiny that matches your new grout WITHOUT damaging any surfaces.

Please don't just try to live with it. Make them make it right.

Thank you. Issue is not wanting them back and trusting them not to damage something.

OP posts:
Peakyblinder18 · 18/06/2026 22:56

Get a discount but don't change it I
think you will grow to love it too.😊

Plasticdreams · 18/06/2026 22:54

Grey grout what planet are they on

Beenwhereyouareagain · 18/06/2026 22:54

It looks nice, although the corner sealant is a much lighter gray.
BUT- what matters is that this is not what you wanted, and if you don't have them fix it now you're stuck with it. If anyone paints it, it should be them. Cleaned, painted well, and sealed with something non-shiny. The corner looks like it's silicone. They should be able to remove it and replace with something non-shiny that matches your new grout WITHOUT damaging any surfaces.

Please don't just try to live with it. Make them make it right.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:53

noshade · 18/06/2026 22:50

I voted YANBU because they put the wrong colour grout in and you're not wrong to want them to change it.

But having seen your photo I think it does look good! So I think I'd live with it and not bother asking them to change it.

Thank you. Will give it more time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:52

Shelleyblueeyes · 18/06/2026 22:49

I agree I do like it but it doesn't matter what anyone in here thinks.
Question is are you going to contact them and ask them to rectify.

I personally don't think you've got anything to lose by asking x

Show quote history

Thank you. It's just the stress of it. He huffs and puffs when you mention anything. It's been so much and feel like one more thing will make him blow.

OP posts:
noshade · 18/06/2026 22:50

I voted YANBU because they put the wrong colour grout in and you're not wrong to want them to change it.

But having seen your photo I think it does look good! So I think I'd live with it and not bother asking them to change it.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:50

Squeaktoyoulater · 18/06/2026 22:44

Op the grout looks absolutely fine, the joints seem pretty tight so I don’t think it’s too bad.
I would definitely point out that he should have given you the choice. If you don’t like the silicone ask him to change that, that isn’t like re-grouting.

Edited

Thank you. Great to hear from everyone who likes it.

I'll try and live with it and do the silicone myself.

OP posts:
Shelleyblueeyes · 18/06/2026 22:49

managingexpectations · 18/06/2026 21:35

I actually like it, it looks like it matches in with the “grain” on the tiles BUT if it’s not what you asked for and you dislike it, get them back to put it right.
a browner grout will give a very different softer look and I think that’s what you’re looking for.

I agree I do like it but it doesn't matter what anyone in here thinks.
Question is are you going to contact them and ask them to rectify.

I personally don't think you've got anything to lose by asking x

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:48

Franjipanl8r · 18/06/2026 22:42

Sorry to be an arsehole but if you don’t pay a designer, this is the risk you take. Designers (interior designers and architects) specify the absolute shit out of everything to avoid this kind of scenario. Just chalk it up to experience and pay the builder to re-grout it or just live with it.

I actually don’t mind it (apart from the mismatched grout and silicone).

Thank you. Wish I could afford an interior designer and a project manager, go on holiday and come back to a perfect house.
I did think if it would have been better to save up for longer and therefore afford better, but then you see the people on tv who have the help and still get things wrong.

An expensive experience indeed.

OP posts:
Squeaktoyoulater · 18/06/2026 22:44

Op the grout looks absolutely fine, the joints seem pretty tight so I don’t think it’s too bad.
I would definitely point out that he should have given you the choice. If you don’t like the silicone ask him to change that, that isn’t like re-grouting.

Franjipanl8r · 18/06/2026 22:42

Sorry to be an arsehole but if you don’t pay a designer, this is the risk you take. Designers (interior designers and architects) specify the absolute shit out of everything to avoid this kind of scenario. Just chalk it up to experience and pay the builder to re-grout it or just live with it.

I actually don’t mind it (apart from the mismatched grout and silicone).

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:41

BlueSherbet · 18/06/2026 22:38

Further to this post, see here for examples:

You can buy a paint pen, or even a tin of paint, to go over grout:

https://www.rainbowchalk.com/product-category/grout-pen/

If the grout is dark to start with, you might need two coats.

Of course, this is a pain to do, so I would give it some time to see if the colour grows on you.

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Thank you, less pain than having to endure the builders any longer 🙂.

Edit to add: How funny 4/11 choices are grey !!

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:39

maryberryslayers · 18/06/2026 22:36

We had exactly the same thing. I'd had white and terracotta tiles and I'd asked for white grout. The tiler decided grey would 'show the dirt up less'. I got him back to change it, I pointed out that it wasn't his choice to make and my en-suite floor would never get dirty anyway. He grumbled but changed it and I'm so glad I asked as it looked awful but is so beautiful with the right grout. Just get him back, momentary stress for years of enjoyment.

Thank you. Glad you got them changed. How do they suddenly think they're an interior designer!

OP posts:
BlueSherbet · 18/06/2026 22:38

BlueSherbet · 18/06/2026 22:24

It looks good to me, but if you dont like it, I think you can buy a special kind of paint for grout.

Further to this post, see here for examples:

You can buy a paint pen, or even a tin of paint, to go over grout:

https://www.rainbowchalk.com/product-category/grout-pen/

If the grout is dark to start with, you might need two coats.

Of course, this is a pain to do, so I would give it some time to see if the colour grows on you.

Grout Pens for Bathroom & Kitchen Tiles | Rainbow Chalk Markers

A Grout Pen is the simple cleaning solution for tired, mouldy grout in bathrooms & kitchens. Whitening or recolouring, no scrub, no-mess anti-fungal pens

https://www.rainbowchalk.com/product-category/grout-pen/

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:37

BlueSherbet · 18/06/2026 22:24

It looks good to me, but if you dont like it, I think you can buy a special kind of paint for grout.

Thank you. Unfortunately the paint works on lighter colours.

OP posts:
maryberryslayers · 18/06/2026 22:36

We had exactly the same thing. I'd had white and terracotta tiles and I'd asked for white grout. The tiler decided grey would 'show the dirt up less'. I got him back to change it, I pointed out that it wasn't his choice to make and my en-suite floor would never get dirty anyway. He grumbled but changed it and I'm so glad I asked as it looked awful but is so beautiful with the right grout. Just get him back, momentary stress for years of enjoyment.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:36

Isitevensummer · 18/06/2026 22:21

I have absolutely been there. But I go with the attitude that it’s my house and I am paying so expect a careful job.

alao my post should have read prolonging- stupid auto correct.

op, you can also get grout pens but I am not sure what colours they come in or how good they are

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Thank you, yes, the paying is the painful part. Certainly don't need someone who thinks they know better than what we discussed.
Sadly it didn't feel like we were working together, felt more like he knew best and I was playing houses.

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Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:32

Overthebow · 18/06/2026 22:14

I quite like the grout colour, as oo says it matches the grain colour. The grey seal doesn’t look great though, as it adds in another colour and it doesn’t match. I’d get him to change it.

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Thank you, I'm more confident in changing the seal myself than the grout. Just need to take a breath and not rush it.

OP posts: