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Unsatisfactory work-how do I broach it and what can I ask to be done?

3 replies

BigBirthdayGloom · 09/09/2013 19:31

We're having tiling done as part of a big project and the two bathrooms have been done really badly. The main problem is the cutting of the tiles which have not been measured properly and so the rows on each wall are badly out of line and there are some big gaps/overlaps. The tiles are unevenly spaced so some of the grout lines are much wider than others.

I mentioned gently that I was concerned about the spacing and lining up when they were being fixed and was assure I wouldn't notice when grouting/sealing was done. This is not the case.
What do we do and how do we word it? The person doing the tiling is a carpenter by trade and has done good work on our build so far and is due to fit our kitchen. I think he might have taken on more than he is able to do, but I guess that doesn't excuse substandard work.
Do we ask it to be redone? Who pays for new tiles? Frankly, we can't afford to rebuy £500+ worth of tiles nor pay another £500 for the work to be redone as we are at the end of a budget busting job and counting every pound.

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RevoltedMum · 09/09/2013 19:53

I would get the work to stop. He sounds like a bodger, if he can't line up tiles how will he line up the wood?

ClaudiaCutie · 10/09/2013 19:33

Oh gosh that sounds awful. I really sympathise. This is difficult! He does sound like a bodger - that comment about you not noticing is both cavalier and treating you like a fool. I would stop the work as Revolted said. If he is making a cockup of this then there are likely to be other problems coming up.

The best way to deal with him is to use the 'Sandwich" approach when you say that item X is good, and you like that result, but there is a real problem with the tiling and THIS is the result you expect (be specific) and ask how he is going to rectify it? Let the silence lengthen and get HIM to come up with a solution. If the solution is not satisfactory, bring the subject back to the exact result you want. Keep the conversation impersonal and about "the result" and "the work" rather than "you have gotten this wrong".

If he blusters, keep highlighting all the lovely work he has done, saying "items B and C were just fantastic, I really would like this tiling to be done to the same great standard you did on B and C, how can that be achieved?"

If you steer him a bit then eventually he will be stuck and have to admit that the tiles will have to be pulled off and redone. At his cost.

That would be the best possible outcome. However ... Unfortunately if he does not have the tiling skills (which I fear is the case) then you're not going to get it fixed properly by him anyway. In that instance, you may have to accept that you will need to live with the crappy tiling, and get it redone properly at a later date, and limit the areas where he works on your property. You will need to manage the quality of his work very actively from now on. Very difficult! I wish you luck!

BigBirthdayGloom · 10/09/2013 19:47

Thanks! Kept this thread in mind during difficult conversation today. Unfortunately, he couldn't see problems except that the tiles weren't evenly sized. And all would be well with sealant. In the end I had to ask him if he honestly thought it was a good job and we agreed to part company. My builder has been absolutely amazing, given that the timing is not really his responsibility.. The tiler has also been sacked from the carpentry and told me that he was no longer happy to for our kitchen. Tbh I was basing him continuing as fitter on a satisfactory outcome to tiling conversation so he saved me telling him. The builder has got a new carpenter, tiler and kitchen fitter, a known "fixer" out already and is sorting the tiling at no cost to us, although we will insist he takes a reasonable cost for the work and mention small claims court for retrieving the cost of the new tiles.
The new guy will also give us a kitchen fitting quite and another guy is quoting tomorrow. But the main thing is that the build is on track again. And I feel calm again. We've been kitchen less for five weeks and I could see it rolling on and on.

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