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AIBU?

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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:
Hohofortherobbers · 18/06/2026 22:26

I think the grout looks fine.

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.

Isitevensummer · 18/06/2026 22:21

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:13

Thank you. Wish we'd gone with a proper company. He's a short fused man and have had him too long in the house as it is.
I feel anxious just talking about him.

Show quote history

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

Overthebow · 18/06/2026 22:14

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 😭😭😭.

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.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:13

Isitevensummer · 18/06/2026 22:07

As much as you hate to ptlroling things, I would insist it’s changed because otherwise your resentment will last much longer than his additional days

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Thank you. Wish we'd gone with a proper company. He's a short fused man and have had him too long in the house as it is.
I feel anxious just talking about him.

OP posts:
Isitevensummer · 18/06/2026 22:07

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:45

He'll moan and take ages to do it, as in days! Have had enough of him honestly and rue the day I took someone's recommendation of him.

Show quote history

As much as you hate to ptlroling things, I would insist it’s changed because otherwise your resentment will last much longer than his additional days

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 22:03

Lindy2 · 18/06/2026 21:55

I like it but it is different to what you asked for. You are entitled to ask for them to change it. You might need to source and supply the brown grout though. I'm not sure I've ever seen brown which is probably why they went for grey. You can definitely get brown silicone though.

It is worth considering though that any grout on floor is likely to end up grey over time regardless of the colour it started off.

Perhaps live with it for a week to see if you grow to like it. Even exactly what you ask for sometimes takes a bit of time to get used to when it's seen in real life. But do put the workmen on notice that you might want them to correct it.

Edited

Thank you, it's frustrating that it's on the wall. At least with a floor, you can hide it with rugs.

@DilemmaDelilah found some brown or as close to wood as possible.
Will give it time and hopefully learn to love accept it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:55

Thank you for liking it, it's really helpful as so far, I can't even look at it when using the loo, I'm just in and out as it makes me want to scream.
It's not even all even!

OP posts:
Lindy2 · 18/06/2026 21:55

I like it but it is different to what you asked for. You are entitled to ask for them to change it. You might need to source and supply the brown grout though. I'm not sure I've ever seen brown which is probably why they went for grey. You can definitely get brown silicone though.

It is worth considering though that any grout on floor is likely to end up grey over time regardless of the colour it started off.

Perhaps live with it for a week to see if you grow to like it. Even exactly what you ask for sometimes takes a bit of time to get used to when it's seen in real life. But do put the workmen on notice that you might want them to correct it.

Original poster
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 😭😭😭.

Will I learn to love it?
OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:47

JanBlues2026 · 18/06/2026 21:41

I would get them back to fix it. I’m sick of these trades people making silly mistakes or decisions and in the past, I’ve had your attitude of not wanting to make a fuss or not wanting the hassle of having them back. I then feel really resentful of paying all that money and it’s not being right.

Dark ground does fade a lot though if that helps.

Thank you, good to know it fades, although that will be a lighter grey.
It's so intimidating at times and wanted to gage if it's worth the stress of getting them back.

OP posts:
MeganM3 · 18/06/2026 21:46

It looks nice. This will be a good colour. A lighter would just show the dirt. Grout does not stay nice / the colour you wanted very long at all. Personally I wouldn’t get builders back for this.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:45

cosimarama · 18/06/2026 21:36

They’ve made a style choice on your behalf. If you get them back to fix it they won’t be there for as long as the grouting will be if you don’t.

He'll moan and take ages to do it, as in days! Have had enough of him honestly and rue the day I took someone's recommendation of him.

OP posts:
saveforthat · 18/06/2026 21:45

Could you post another picture zoomed out so we can see more tiles and a corner?

Sprig1 · 18/06/2026 21:44

I think it looks good.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:43

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.

Thanks, yes, I was looking for a softer look and this seems harsh. They've also used grey silicone in the corners 😭😭.

OP posts:
Davros · 18/06/2026 21:43

I like it

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:41

saveforthat · 18/06/2026 21:35

Well it's not what you wanted but honestly to me it looks fine. It does look black in the picture though.

Thanks,, when I was looking up changing it, someone mentioned 3 choices,
Changing it yourself, getting someone to change it or learning to love it.
At the moment all 3 feel insurmountable.

OP posts:
JanBlues2026 · 18/06/2026 21:41

I would get them back to fix it. I’m sick of these trades people making silly mistakes or decisions and in the past, I’ve had your attitude of not wanting to make a fuss or not wanting the hassle of having them back. I then feel really resentful of paying all that money and it’s not being right.

Dark ground does fade a lot though if that helps.

DanceMumTaxi · 18/06/2026 21:41

I like it, and I think it’s probably more practical than a lighter grout.

HumphreyCushionintheHouse · 18/06/2026 21:38

I like it, like a PP says it does match the grain. Also it will be great for not showing stains which a beige or brown might.

cosimarama · 18/06/2026 21:36

They’ve made a style choice on your behalf. If you get them back to fix it they won’t be there for as long as the grouting will be if you don’t.

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.

saveforthat · 18/06/2026 21:35

Well it's not what you wanted but honestly to me it looks fine. It does look black in the picture though.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:30

Looks black but it's a dark grey.

Will I learn to love it?
OP posts: