Tiling problem

[Kitcehnrefit]

Can’t post pics at the moment so please bear with this one- One wall has two kitchen cupboards with worktop underneath , just been retiled.The tiler has left around two inches off either side so the tiling is in line with the cupboard footprint rather than the worktop. He’s trying to convince me there’s no way around resolving it. Now I’m left wondering if I’m right in thinking tiles should always go to the edge of the worktop or slightly over but never this much shorter. Any advice welcome ,thanks.

Whatever looks best and whatever the customer wants.
In our case we took the tiles to the end and just used a little bit of trim to nicely mark off the top edge of the tiles where there was no cupboard. We didn't want a thin sliver of tile all the way up the side of the cupboard.

Your kitchen, your choice.

Does he not own a tile cutter, so can put a half-tile on each end?

I’m still not able to attach a photo so thanks for the replies. He has a tile cutter as he’s already cut them but too short so they don’t fit all the way. He had the footprint of the original tiles and is saying it’s my fault for not specifying I wanted them to fit exactly the same way but surely the onus should be on him to say I can’t replace the tiles in the same way but these are the options I can give you instead. The more I think of it the more I think he’s trying to pull a fast one.

He should have checked what you wanted first. Ime a lot of 'tilers' don't like cutting tiles so avoid doing so. Makes the job quicker and easier.

When we had our kitchen splashback tiled, the tiler asked us what colour grout we wanted, what type and colour trim, what pattern we wanted them put on in, how far up the wall we wanted the tiles to go, etc before he even started the job.

He isn't obliged to get a full specification before starting but it makes for a happier customer-tradesperson relationship. Given he is the experienced one you'd expect him to get the right information first, but it often doesn't work that way.
Without anything agreed on those details you may well be on the hook for the cost of redoing it, but try to negotiate a better rate.

Seriously @johnd2 . So good communication is not essential and the aim shouldn't be to give the customer exactly what they want?

He absolutely should’ve asked you before hand how you wanted it.

You can’t just be employed to do a job, and finish it however you see fit, just because you’re the one doing the work.

Been back and it’s even worse than I thought last night, tiles on other wall are sloping and window ledge is wonky. Will not be paid and I want a refund for the tiles I purchased too. Shame as he came recommended and this is something an amateur would knock up over the weekend.

Ohh ohh, it sounds like he has got his setting out wrong.

I'm going to give you and everyone else a list of questions to ask before any tiling is started. You can use this a check list.

Firstly let's go with the basics

If your having mosaics, the most important thing to bear in mind the surface that the tiles are going on must be flat and even. If you can picture glueing tissue paper on the surface any deviation will show. That's what your dealing with when having mosaics. You have any small bumps etc in the surface the mosaics will ripple and look terrible.

Cheap tiles... don't do it! They are cheap for a reason, normally they are bowed like a banana, and the sizes of them can vary from box to box. Always when purchasing tiles check they all have the same batch number.

Secondly this is one of the most important things and OP this one is for you. The setting out of the tiles. A good tiler will run a tape measure across the area and then divide the area by the size of the tile and the grout joint. So in your case OP he should and would have known that there would have been a gap. He has already done the tiling which is showing up like a baboons bottom, it's just plain wrong. He has three options now, the first is to rip them if and start again and increase the size of the grout joint slightly so that the shortfall is no more. The other option is that he puts a cut tile on either side, so it is then flush with the work surface edge. Thirdly but it could look messy is to install a trim, not a cheap nasty plastic trim but a flat bar stainless steel one or similar.

Always tell the tiler in advance of the works you want as fewer cut tiles as possible. This applies to walls and floors. He should discuss with you the setting out before commencing the works.

Surface priming, if the tiler starts using pva to prime the walls stop him!! It is the worst possible thing to use as a primer as over time if it gets moist it disintegrates resulting in the worst case scenario the tiles becoming loose. He should prime the surface with a primer fit for purpose and pva is not!

Pre mixed tile adhesive is a no no, it contains to much water and over time when the adhesive drys it looses its adhesion.

The most serious red light warning sign is when a tiler 'dots and dabs' basically some idiots will try to install the tiles by applying dots of adhesive to the back of the tile. This leaves voids behind the tiles which can result in tiles dropping of walls and tiles cracking on the floor. The adhesive should cover at least 85% of the back of the tile, when this is installed it is then positioned and moved slightly to give full coverage.

Grout, this can make or break the installation. The client (that is you) should always be the one to select the grout colour. If they suggest plain white in a kitchen remember it won't always be white.

Please remember this, if your not happy then do not hand any money over. You have to be honest and tell them your concerns and you want this sorted.

I hope this helps a little.

Thanks Icepink - that’s really useful to know. I thought it was just a straightforward job and wish I had known all this before getting the job done but you live and learn I suppose !

@chopc correct, from a legal point of view lack of communication isn't a problem. If something wasn't started then the court will decide what is reasonable work. They don't automatically decide against one party because something wasn't agreed in advance.
Yes from a business point of view best to give the customer what they want if known, but we are past that point now and looking for a resolution