Help I need your opinions please

[mz30]

Grouting was done on last day at job (Thursday) so would still have some residue etc on tiles. The wall/ plaster shows how wall was when I removed the original tiles. All loose plaster was removed, the wall then sbr'd & levelled using tiling render. No real discussions with customer as he is now refusing to speak & wouldn't let me back into house to either rectify problems or finish work

Just an honest opinion so please dont take offence ,why did you leave a job with grout residue? you wait until everything is dry and then polish it and the biggest problem i can see (not with your tiling)is you left the job without payment and making sure the client was happy,the job looks fine but if you have left thing unpolished it can look terrible.

 

[Sanke]

well from looking at the pic mate i dont think you would of had a small cut on either side of that wall unless im missing something and is the 40mm against the architrave visible? looks half that size must just be the angle... as long as those tiles are not dot n dabbed id say you have nothing to worry about unless you didnt prime then the tiles mite of fallen off while he was taking a dump maybe thats why he got rid haha

No all the walls were primed with sbr & given a good spread of adhesive Something gave him the hump though !

 

[Andy Allen]

did he offer to pay you anything..?

 

[Sanke]

Hi Andy Offered to pay for two days work then retracted the offer before making payment Did all the plumbing work for sink / toilet etc which he hasn't paid for parts either

 

[jonnyc]

it would seem that one of his main issues is that he will have to redecorate the walls.
i cant see much problem with tiling although pictures do not show liping necessarily.
it looks as though your new finished tile height is lower than original therefore necessitaing redecorating.
could this be what he is unhappy about and the adhesive/bonding above finished tile height.
it will probably come down to what you have put in your quote or not.
if you have not specifically stated that he may need to redecorate walls if finished height lower than original as a result of not only making good walls before tiling or size of tiles chosen then he could interpret that you have not finished your works and he would be expecting you to make good.
it is actually not what i think he should be saying but it is an angle that he could put on you.
if you have not been very clear on what work you have quoted for and advised that by finishing at height you have done, there may be extra works required, i think you have left yourself a bit open.
this might cost you a little bit of money but may well save you a lot more in future.
if you can post your quote i think the answer will reveal itself.
dont give up on tiling.

 

[Sanke]

HI John Pictures do not show finished level, as above top tile was a row of glass mosaic tiles with metal trim So finished level was above original level However, in a few places tiling render would now be on top of metal trim (should have probably done something about it before mosaics etc put up) I had agreed with the original price to paint the walls & ceiling etc above so that would have been sorted one way or another at that stage Thanks for your encouragement to keep on tiling

 

[jonnyc]

HI John Pictures so not show finished level as above top tile was a row of glass mosaic tiles with metal trim so finished level was above original level However, in a few placed tiling render would now be on top of metal trim (should have probably done something about it before mosaics etc put up) I had agreed with the original price to paint the walls & ceiling etc above so that would have been sorted one way or another at that stage Thanks for your encouragement to keep on tiling

i think you really need to show what your work was like in a finished or semi finished state at point when client would not let you back in house.
without this it is very difficult to give a considered and helpful opinion.
this said if you have quoted to give a finished room then how can this client possibly condem your work before you have been given a chance to complete.
again it will all be down to what you have been in the quote.
boring stuff but ultimately we have to be thorough to be safe

 

[Sanke]

I am coming to the conclusion that I need a standard set of T & C's to accompany a DETAILED written quotation As you say may be a bit boring or overkill but once done could also give a more professional image (& maybe save my behind in the future !) Would be interested in anyone has a set I could view / copy

 

[Brian the Tile]

the tiles over the cistern should be equal size also,the one on the right looks bigger and be seen as soon as the door is opened

 

[Sanke]

the tiles over the cistern should be equal size also,the one on the right looks bigger and be seen as soon as the door is opened

Hi Brian You are right the tile on the right is slightly bigger It was decided between customer & myself to keep the joint running to centre of pan rather than make tiles equal

 

[Dougs Third Go]

I'd call his bluff, tell him that your next action is the solicitors.

 

[DHTiling]

Bang a CCJ on him... no one wants one of those against them... if no joy then send in debt collectors..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

To me it's just another case of an amateur trying to become a professional at the expense (or not in this case) of the customer. Nothing in writing, materials supplied and no payment - looks like you are having to learn the very hard way that tiling is a finishing trade.

 

[cam_low]

A very accurate angle John.

 

[widler]

The man wants advice of tradesmen no women

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Tricky one,
but with only half a story, and half the evidence, then we can only make half a judgment, I think!

Only a few optons i think,

Sounds like you're not in a position to negotiate with this bloke, but if you were able to, would the 2 days payment be enough to cover your materials? If it covers your costs, then the loss is just your labour. Move on, learn from it and don't get caught out again.

If it were me though, and if he's not willing to chat on the phone, I'd draft a letter with an offer to complete / rectify the work with an invoice for the work done so far. I'd hand deliver this letter. If there's no answer, I'd post it recorded to be signed for.