Advice Please - Is This Tiling Acceptable?

[Joe]

I'm afraid so. There's a high chance he won't refund you. But if he has any idea at all he should know his work is unacceptable. It's you who'll have to pay for the materials again. Why should you ? It's up to you obviously but I would imagine that most people would want that redone.

 

[Ste-G]

Even refund the money I have given him for materials ? The work is that bad you think ?

All joking aside, I feel for you. It's very easy for everyone to say do this or do that, me included, but if you're not a confrontational person it can be very intimidating to front someone and tell them their work is so poor that you want a full refund, it can feel easier to just cut your losses and start again.
I'm not saying do that, just do what's best for you. It's just a shame you've been put in this horrible situation.

 

[Rich Midge]

Education, education, education! What is it with our trade that so many people can't tell a good job from a bad one? Luckily this forum exists for amongst other things people can be informed exactly as to how a wall should look or how a floor should be set out etc. I go to so many jobs where the customer has done a bit of tiling or had diyer in to a job and is genuinely impressed with it whereas all I can see is mistakes. It doesn't seem to happen with other trades. If a Plumber does a bad job, he may have a leak. A dodgy painter may have runs in the gloss etc. Customers see this but so many can't spot misaligned tiles or poorly finished grout. I just don't get it. Rant over. Soz.

 

[p4ulo]

Whatta mess. Thing is, the walls are finished so might have to live with them, but the floor could come up fairly easily, and it looks a much worse effort than the walls. I suggest, don't pay any more, forget the parts payment that's gone I'm afraid, but I would get a pro to do the floor (with some nice tiles) and that will at least soften the impact of the walls if the floor looks nice?!

 

[Joe]

Education, education, education! What is it with our trade that so many people can't tell a good job from a bad one? Luckily this forum exists for amongst other things people can be informed exactly as to how a wall should look or how a floor should be set out etc. I go to so many jobs where the customer has done a bit of tiling or had diyer in to a job and is genuinely impressed with it whereas all I can see is mistakes. It doesn't seem to happen with other trades. If a Plumber does a bad job, he may have a leak. A dodgy painter may have runs in the gloss etc. Customers see this but so many can't spot misaligned tiles or poorly finished grout. I just don't get it. Rant over. Soz.

I've done 3 years of an apprenticeship years ago and I don't consider myself anywhere near a pro. Before I started I thought tiling looked easy. I understand exactly what you mean and it frustrates me how many people think they can tile simply because they can stick tiles down. I see substandard tiling all of the time. I just assume the people responsible for it don't know what professional tiling is. I also think maybe it does happen with other trades but we don't notice because we do not see it. Tiling really is a skill you can only learn from being on the job with a professional for a long time.

 

[macten]

Christ!

 

[Bathfix Bob]

What is the latest outcome of this?

What did he tile onto? 6mm plywood probably on the floor?

 

[dynamictiling]

Very true there!!! My dad agreed to have the bathroom done by him as he was recommended by another relative, personally I would have used a dedicated SKILLED tiler, not a painter and decorator. He has just done the floor, Ill put a picture up for you to see. This just keeps getting more hilariously bad !!!! Look at this!!!

View attachment 78447 View attachment 78448

What you really need to do is take the tiling tools away from him and give him a paint brush. Judging by these pics, I would personally recommend stripping the lot and starting again. There is to much wrong with this job to fix.

 

[javeiro]

Look at this finishing around the window and corner of ceiling.

 

[Meddler]

Look at this finishing around the window and corner of ceiling.

View attachment 78613 View attachment 78614

I’m coming in a bit late to this thread but this week has certainly has highlighted the bodgit, fleecum & run brigade.

As with any job (as an experienced tiler or not) its taking the time to appreciate how the job will turn out and the likely problems before starting. The temptation for a lot of people is to just get stuck in and (try to) sort out the problems at the end. A bit of effort with the planning, taking time and pride of workmanship is key. The advantage of an experienced tiler working full time (or any other skilled tradesman) is that he has encountered most problems already and is immediately aware of the pitfalls – unfortunately they also know how to cut corners which can also detract from the overall appearance of the finished job.

I’m not a pro tiler but do small tiling jobs, generally where these are part of a project, and would be horrified if my jobs ended up like those exposed by Javeiro or Tianqiang Situ. If you employ a skilled tradesman at a reasonable rate you are right to expect a reasonable outcome. If you are not happy then don’t pay and for a real mess that you cant live with you should be entitled to the materials and the cost of reinstatement. However, unless your tradesman recognises the problem and agrees to rectify the work himself the courts will be the only way to get full recompense – but easier said than done. Just keep a good record of both his workmanship and conversations / agreements in case he tries to recover his costs from you.

Naming and shaming is one way you can help others not fall into the same trap – ie leave reviews.

I hope you get a satisfactory resolution.