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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU over poor tiling job?

37 replies

blueyedboy · 19/08/2016 13:47

We have used a relatives's friend to tile our new bathroom, in the trade but not a specialist. Not very pleased with the results, and he's not finished yet.
Usually I can complain to shops and supermarkets, but this feels different. He's a really nice bloke, but is charging quite a lot too!
How can I say nicely that we will find someone else to do our ensuite? Please help!!!

OP posts:
VioletBam · 19/08/2016 13:49

Well if he's not finished, you need to express your concern now. Your fear of confrontation shouldn't stop him from having the chance to correct it. What exactly is not pleasing you about it?

PJBanana · 19/08/2016 13:49

Did you know he wasn't a specialist when you hired him to carry out the work? If so, I think YABU (kind of) as he isn't an expert.

If you were lead to believe he would do a good job and he hasn't lived up to his word, YANBU. Tell him you're unhappy and try to agree a reduced fee so that you can get someone in to finish the job.

Original poster
blueyedboy · 19/08/2016 14:14

Thanks for quick responses!
Our very large cream tiles needed strong adhesive, only available in grey, and some of the tiles have the grey lines around them on white grout. The grout is uneven, just doesn't look right, and rubs off like chalk 24 hours after work - surely not normal?
He is a general builder, were told that he was a slow tiler, hoped that meant very good/perfectionist/methodical!!!
But how can I be tactful (lie)

OP posts:
WellErrr · 19/08/2016 14:19

Just get your big girl pants on and say it.

It'll be awkward whilst it's happening but youll have to live with a shit bathroom for years. I know which id choose.

VioletBam · 19/08/2016 14:22

So the job is complete?

Original poster
blueyedboy · 19/08/2016 16:41

This room is done, but he will start soon on another the ensuite, total refurbishment.

OP posts:
MangoBiscuit · 19/08/2016 16:45

Ask him if that's how it's going to look when it's finished, will the grey be seen, or is more grouting being done after it's had a chance to set?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 19/08/2016 16:51

Can you put up a picture?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 19/08/2016 16:54

Dh is a plumber and used to run our own business., our Tiler used to turn DH's hair grey, he was extremely good but so , so bloody slow!

People think tiling is easy, it isn't and tiles are the first thing people notice in a bathroom.

Original poster
blueyedboy · 19/08/2016 20:05

Here is a terrible photo. Second time of trying to send it!
Now more than 24 hours later, should the grout still come away like powder?
Black lines around some edges, very deep grout in places, when asked for thin grout lines, so that I can
keep it clean.

AIBU over poor tiling job?
OP posts:
VioletBam · 19/08/2016 23:41

I can't see the problem. You seem to be very fussy.

blueyedboy · 20/08/2016 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

acasualobserver · 20/08/2016 07:58

Bit harsh! It is hard to see the problem from the pic you posted.

Pinkponiesrock · 20/08/2016 07:59

To be fair I can't see what's wrong with it either and I'm a pretty demanding individual. I think the excess grout is wiped off after the bit between the tiles is set.

facepalming · 20/08/2016 08:05

Wow OP that's a harsh comment to pp who actually showed an interest in your problem!

Interesting that you are happy to throw out insults to other posters but won't complain to a workman that your not satisfied with?? maybe you should leave him a note....

Fwiw I can't see an issue but it's a poor picture. I'm sure your workman would prefer to know your concerns so he can explain the process / correct the problem

Original poster
blueyedboy · 20/08/2016 08:24

Another builder has just had a look and said that the grout needs scrapping out and replacing!
Am just fed-up with the situation, have saved and waited years
for this. Just wanted house to look clean instead of eighties monster!
In the daylight the dark lines around the tiles look more pronounced
than is shown in pics.
£800 worth of fussy. Excluding any tiles/materials.

OP posts:
Champagneformyrealfriends · 20/08/2016 08:33

Whoa blue Vi didn't deserve that.

I hope you get it sorted-I'm still not happy with our kitchen and a friend installed it-I never did tell him what I didn't like and I wish I had now.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 20/08/2016 08:36

Sorry I can't really make out the picture.

Well , you've had a second opinion so you can tell your first builder/ tiler you won't need him for the second job or you can tell him he needs to put right the grouting at no extra cost to you.

wowfudge · 20/08/2016 08:39

And that is why you shouldn't have good friends or neighbours in to do work for you. Unless you can tell them when you don't like something without them taking it personally. If the grout needs replacing it sounds as though it wasn't mixed correctly.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 20/08/2016 08:45

scraping out the grout is not going to make any difference to the thickness of the grout lines, the tiles will have to come off to change that.

MsVestibule · 20/08/2016 09:26

You called a poster a bitch because she said you were too fussy Shock??

That really is incredibly unpleasant of you.

VioletBam · 20/08/2016 09:42
Grin

Glad I'm not your tiler!

Pinkponiesrock · 20/08/2016 09:43

Also 'deep grout' would indicate depth not width, depth would be how much grout is between the wall and the edge of the tile not the distance between the tiles and therefore the amount of grout visible!

Jizzomelette · 20/08/2016 09:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NapQueen · 20/08/2016 09:47

you do seem a bitch

That comment really says more about you.

Hope all the tiles fall off overnight. Or you step on a Lego.

Harsh.

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