To ask for your help in me being assertive

[issuedealing]

I am very passive, people pleaser and absolutely hate confrontation.

We are having our en suite replaced and the tiling is not up to standard in parts. The areas that are not right really draw the eye as the tiles are scratched / not clear cut around the window frame. It will bother me if it stays as it is so I HaVE to say something.

Help me as just thinking about the conversation is getting my heart rate going.

What's the best way to say it and approach it in a very non confronting way but to end up with the tiles being replaced in this area?

My go to would be something like

I'm sorry to trouble you but if you are able
To do anything about the tiles around the window, I'd be grateful but not to worry if it's not possible.

That's not going to cut it when they arrive back this week so help please? If you don't mind. It if you do that's fine too (haha)

You aren’t troubling them, they are working for you.
You want the bad part fixing, no being grateful or not possible.
Just show them the part that isn’t right and tell them what you want the final outcome to be.
Chances are they know the problem, and will know how to fix it.

Thanks for your work so far on the bathroom. All
good but I’ve noticed some issues with the tiling around the window - when can you come round to have a look and resolve?

Or similar. That would be my effort.

In fact I’d drop the “when”.

Can you contact them via text or email before they arrive back?

"Hi X, I know you're back with us this week but just checking in to say I'd appreciate if these tiles around the window (attach photo) are redone. The scratches and the jagged edge just take away from the rest of the great work. Thanks, see you Wednesday!"

In person say Hey, thanks for the great work but can we fix up around this window please - it just takes away from it. Thanks so much.

No sorry to trouble you or any other niceties. You're paying them. If they get arsey just stone wall it and say well ok, that's not what I had in mind when I planned the tiles. And leave it. They'll fix it, no tradie wants a bad review now.

I would miss out the 'all good' bit in @Elephanta's suggestion - because it isn't!
something like ' I would like to check some things in the bathroom with you please' and then point out ALL the things that need rectifying, because there are probably some other things you don't like but haven't wanted to make a fuss about.

I'm sorry to trouble you but if you are able to do anything about the tiles around the window, I'd be grateful but not to worry if it's not possible.

No. Not possible. Is done.

What will you do then?

You need to actually tell them that the tiles are not laid properly and are scratched and need redoing.

'Hi. The tiles around here [insert a photo] are not laid straight and are scratched. I thought it best to tell you now rather than at the end of the project, I wasn't sure if you had noticed last time you were here. They are going to need to be redone. Many thanks. Issue'

They should expect a "snag list" before the project is signed off.

"Hi, a few things to discuss in the snag list before sign off "

If you are really struggling with "tell" assertive (which is where you tell people what ypu want them to do). Try "ask " assertive. The trick with ask assertive is that you have to ask the questions carefully

So

"Can you please look at the tiles around the window today and let me know how these can be improved?"
Or
"Can you explain why the window tiles are not lined up?" [Insert builder waffle response]. "Right well I want them to look like xx so can you please come back to me with some options for that? "

The advantage of asking for explanations is that they are forced to confront their workmanship and explain it. If you just ask them to look at the window riles then they may look but not see what the problem is

Thank you

I would prefer the ask way but I guess I could still be backed into the tell way.

Why do I find this so awkward- like, what's the worst that can happen but I think it's the awkwardness itself that I don't like

Have you got a photo of the tiles OP? Showing the lack of lines and the scratches?

I worked on building sites. Just say what you mean. One sentence. “I’m not happy with xx, I want it fixed” they may not have scratched the tiles which may require that you to pay more for the additional work.

Photo

This is the chips

Is there going to be a skirting board or vertical tiles going above it ti hide it.

No it will be out in the open

You are completely right then it is going to be obvious and you do need to speak up.

Give them the old shit sandwich.

Hello, I'm really pleased to see the progress that is being made overall with the contract, however the tiling is not up to standard in parts. The areas that are not right really draw the eye as the tiles are scratched / not clear cut around the window frame. Could you take a look please the next time you are here and let me know when you can re-do to match the quality of finish in the rest of the build.

Thank you.