Advice needed - poor workmanship?

[bl tiling]

Don't pay anything out until you know how much the rectification is going to cost,
or you will end up paying twice.The cleanliness of the "finished job" is an indication of
the quality of work unfortunately, good luck.

 

[Karen79]

Don't pay anything out until you know how much the rectification is going to cost,
or you will end up paying twice.The cleanliness of the "finished job" is an indication of
the quality of work unfortunately, good luck.

The issue I have is no tiler is willing to rectify it by putting right the defects, all so far have said it needs to come off altogether and start again. I've had another come this morning and say the same thing so 3 different tilers now. The plumber argues they're just saying that to get more work and money but I genuinely don't think they are. All 3 are inundated with work, the earliest any of them could do the work is in 5 weeks time, one said it would be November!

 

[Paul Russell]

Hello, I am new to this site and seeking some advice on the tiling in our new bathroom.

We are really unhappy with the quality of the tiling and have voiced our concerns to the plumber (he also did the tiling). He says he did the best job he could and blamed wonky walls and a difference between the thickness of the wall tile and mosaic border for the defects (the walls were re-plastered prior to him tiling by a plasterer he chose, he sub-contracted the work out).

He believes he has done a good job and cannot understand why we are not satisfied. Surprisingly he said he would be willing for us to deduct the cost of having the issues rectified by a tiler of our choice and he will also agree to us deducting the cost of replacing tiles from his invoice. It was agreed that we would pay on completion so we haven't paid anything yet as the job isn't finished.

We have since had 2 different tilers come and take a look and both have suggested that all the tiling needs to come off and the bathroom suite will need to come out beforehand to prevent damage. Depending on the condition of the walls underneath the walls may need plastering again and then the bathroom suite would need reinstalling. So basically it would be like starting over again.

I have told the original plumber what the 2 tilers have said and he says that they are probably just saying that to get extra work. He is now asking for part payment to cover the cost of materials and the labour for the work he sub-contracted out and we don't know what to do as the quotes we've had to rectify everything are around the same as the total amount he is requesting!

I have tried to attach some photos of some of the issues (there are so many!) but I can't figure out how to do it! I've added 2 pics under Poor workmanship? I don't know whether you will be able to see them? I would be so grateful for any advice you can offer me. Believe me, I don't like complaining and I am truly devastated it has come to this but I stand to lose a lot of money if I pay him and do require the whole lot doing again. He is not willing to put right his own defects either so we're stuck!

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As you havent paid yet you have the upper hand. He wont come back and if he did would you really want him there? He's blaming the walls but they were plastered on his recommendation. Get one of the other tilers in (probably qualified) and get them to do a total refit as the recommend,they sound like they know what they're doing. Hopefully you get the job done at no extra cost to yourself.

 

[Bond]

Don't pay anything out until you know how much the rectification is going to cost,
or you will end up paying twice.The cleanliness of the "finished job" is an indication of
the quality of work unfortunately, good luck.

As above. Finishing and remedial works are required, whether a total rip out is necessary - additional photos may be usefull (showing whole walls etc,) to get a overall picture, the attached pics definitely shows the devils in the detail). As your plumber had carried out the tiling works, what expectation/standard of workmanship can you reasonable expect, that of the average plumber doing tiling work?.

 

[Paul Russell]

As you havent paid yet you have the upper hand. He wont come back and if he did would you really want him there? He's blaming the walls but they were plastered on his recommendation. Get one of the other tilers in (probably qualified) and get them to do a total refit as the recommend,they sound like they know what they're doing. Hopefully you get the job done at no extra cost to yourself.

Ps.. if he's a plumber he's not a good one,that flexi-hose seems to have a too tight "kink" in it,this could affect your water supply to the tap,get someone to look at it,hope you get everything sorted.

 

[Karen79]

As above. Finishing and remedial works are required, whether a total rip out is necessary - additional photos may be usefull (showing whole walls etc,) to get a overall picture, the attached pics definitely shows the devils in the detail). As your plumber had carried out the tiling works, what expectation/standard of workmanship can you reasonable expect, that of the average plumber doing tiling work?.

Thank you for your response. I will attach some pics of the whole walls to give you a better idea. To be fair when you stand from afar it doesn't actually look as bad, its when you get up close you see the issues (which isn't hard, it's a small bathroom!). I understand what you're saying about the plumber doing the tiling, however he assured me he would do a good job of it and said he was an experienced and competent tiler. I did suggest getting someone in for it but he said he was happy and able to do it himself. He probably wanted to make more money for himself out of the job I expect. I have learned lessons from this for sure, won't make the same mistake again!

 

[Karen79]

As you havent paid yet you have the upper hand. He wont come back and if he did would you really want him there? He's blaming the walls but they were plastered on his recommendation. Get one of the other tilers in (probably qualified) and get them to do a total refit as the recommend,they sound like they know what they're doing. Hopefully you get the job done at no extra cost to yourself.

I am so so glad we agreed upon payment on completion. If not no doubt I would have had a legal battle on my hands. I may still do if he decides to take me to small claims for payment. I'm concerned that if we get it redone and then he decides to make a claim against me the evidence will be gone. I am hoping the photos will help in that respect. It's such an awful situation we are devastated and not sure what to do next? I've just written a formal letter to him which I will send via recorded delivery today, have printed off some photos of the issues we have as well and will send them with it. Hopefully he will accept that the work is shoddy and leave us be to get it sorted, fingers crossed!

Will definitely get the flexi hose looked at, to be fair it looks like the only option is a refit so in that case as long as I use decent trademen this time they will be able to put it all right.

 

[Paul Russell]

If he gets funny with you,you have always got trading standards as back up,which i'd think he wont want to have to deal with. I know he's not a tiler but if he's happy to charge for a job it has to be done to a certain standard. I hope you get it sorted and not be out of pocket, good luc.k

 

[Karen79]

As above. Finishing and remedial works are required, whether a total rip out is necessary - additional photos may be usefull (showing whole walls etc,) to get a overall picture, the attached pics definitely shows the devils in the detail). As your plumber had carried out the tiling works, what expectation/standard of workmanship can you reasonable expect, that of the average plumber doing tiling work?.

Here are some pics of walls from further back, it's hard as the bathroom is small so can't stand back enough to get whole walls in. As I say it doesn't look all that bad when you stand back, apart from the fact he has used a different tiling pattern halfway up the wall around the window so it doesn't match the rest of the tiling! Also the unfinished parts around the window, at the back of the bath and down the side of the bath near the shower screen. Not sure how he would have completed down the side of the bath without boxing in the bath panel, and the tiles come out past the architrave too at the bottom, if he'd continued tiling down to finish it they would've come out really far.

Would be really grateful on opinions when you see the walls from afar please. Do you think we should be happy with it or that it could be patched up or is a refit necessary? Without a doubt the mosaic border needs to come out, its a total mess close up! Around the window needs changing to match the rest of the tile pattern too and not sure how you'd get around finishing down the side of the bath without taking all those tiles off either? Bear in mind he has said he is unwilling to try and put right the defects, he blamed the walls and the fact the mosaic border was a different thickness to the tiles and has said he does not think he could have done a better job. He has told us to source our own tiler to rectify it, but no one will attempt it they all say rip it out!!

 

[Bond]

As l suspected from afar it doesn't look to bad,(for a plumber) where he fails is in the finer points. ( which can be sorted) - if you can find a tiler to do the work. Whether it requires a total rip-out, l guess depends on how well the tiles themselves have been fixed. do you know what type of adhesive was used, was it ready made, in a tub or from a bag and mixed on-site.?