I don't want to offend the tiler but...

[Fizz_bosh]

Hi Guys,
I hope you can help. I'vehad some moleanos limestone delivered today, I think it looks lovely, the tiler is due to start on Monday, (bathroom) & I've been thinking about trim, finish, sealing, etc etc. originally, I thought we'd have some trim fitted, & I asked him, he said yeah no prob & his quote includes materials.
But I'm having second thoughts about the trim. Thinking it will look bad Is it easy enough to finish off the tiles well & not use trim. Any suggestions on what to say to the tiler, so as not to offend him/or be too dificult?

Thanks.

 

[widler]

yes,he could mitre them or profile them,looks a lot better than trim on natural stone,much much much better

 

[kilty55]

i would just aproach your tiler and simply state you changed your mind on trims...cant see there being an issue

 

[Gazzer]

Mitre, polish edges or bullnose profile but not trim ! If he does agree though please understand the extra man hours it will need but more than worth it.

 

[kendo1]

Give him as much notice as you can, he might not have bought them yet.
It's a bugger going out to buy materials for a job and the customer informs you when you turn up that they have changed their mind.
He is trying to make a profit.

Final cost should be roughly the same because of his time.

 

[DHTiling]

I don't know about final cost being the same.???? profiling and polishing edges is not a quick process but is deffo a better finish than trims.. i never use trims with natural stone.

 

[The D]

The tools and the extra time it will take to dress the stone rather than using trim may increase the price substantially. It may also conflict with the work your tiler has booked in so definitely contact him ASAP .

 

[peckers]

same as above^ trims can be expensive depends on which ones were chosen, however very easy and quick to install, the labour involved to either mitre/bullnose or butt the edges and polish them is alot more time consuming and will occur an extra charge, however as previously stated it is well worth it in my oppinion. just let your tiler know asap about the changes you want to make as this would be better then him/her finding out the morning he/she is supposed to start. the trims could be returned if already purchased or used on another job unless they were a special order.

 

[kendo1]

I was thinking of the offset cost of buying trim against time doing mitres.

You're right, it will cost more.

*blushes*

 

[Rich]

I agree,I dont like trim with natural stone. There is a lot more time and work involved in polishing and mitering the stone tho but as said, well worth it.

Really isnt going to be a big deal as long as you tell him asap. I wish my customers were this courteous!!

 

[Del W]

If you have the budget.Forget the trim.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The only way to offend a tiler is to not offer him a cup of tea every hour!
But it's always nice to be informed of any specification changes prior to starting.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

As all above for me, trim cheapens any natural stone imo.

 

[chris.tiling]

Got to agree - no trim and let the tiler know ASAP. Polished edges look soooo much better than trim on stone but may well affect the cost / time required

 

[Fizz_bosh]

Thank you do much everyone!!! Great advice. Will speak to him about profiling the edge of the tiles.

 

[nybor62]

deffo not trim, and quite surprised he agreed to use trim, maybe he dont have equipment to mitre or bull nose , im sure you will find out, if you decide against trim

 

[widler]

The only way to offend a tiler is to not offer him a cup of tea every hour!
But it's always nice to be informed of any specification changes prior to starting.

i agree,if i aint been asked if i want a brew within a hour of getting there,i say
" excuse me,but me and my mate are arguing which letter comes after S in the alphabet" when they look at you like you are stupid and say" well T ofcourse" i say " no thanks,but i will have a coffee,milk no suger"

ofcourse,you can always tell which customer you can have the crack with,and those you can't straight away :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Fizz_bosh]

Guys, advice pls. Just had the tiler round & asked about profiling the edge of the tile & he said he doesn't do it. Hasn't done it/been asked for about 15 years. Suggested if I do want it, either send some tiles back to get the machine profiled or find another tiler :-/
He showed a thin discrete ivory square edge plastic trim which I thought looked ok.
Not sure what to do now...

 

[Ian]

Find a tiler who will profile your edges, it will give a far superior finish. Worth paying a little extra for to have the job done properly.


Sent via Tapatalk for iPhone

 

[dave l and l]

if you really want it and he says its ok then another tiler, but keep in mind that he booked you on under original spec. if it was me and i couldnt get another job shifted in place i wouldnt be that thrilled at missing out on job

 

[nybor62]

its your call pal, trim will look cheap imo and spoil the look of the job

 

[jonnyc]

i am a bit surprised that the tiler so readily agreed to use trim.

Maybe he does not have the kit to finish with polisher.
I would not offer it at all with moleanos,but would always put in an optional cost to finish exposed edges with polisher rather than sawn edge.
By detailing etxra works you are offering, eliminates any misunderstandings at invoice.
but if my client suggested trim I would feel duty bound to explain that although it will save alot of money the overall result would not be what it could be and should be avoided.
the only time I offer trim is with travertine and then its teel square edge only.

 

[Fizz_bosh]

I've just sanded an edge of the tile & it looks 10x better than the trim. I called him & said I liked the polished finish & just butt the tiles up together & no trim. I offered to do some of the sanding/polishing of edges on view. He ok'd that but said he couldnt take responsibility for any staining on those edges because they're not factory sealed. Any thoughts on this?

 

[DHTiling]

Eh?.. neither is the face of the tile factory sealed.. that guy does not know what he is talking about.. alarm bells would be ringing for me... that stone needs to be sealed and the edges can be sealed at the same time before grouting.. it sounds to me that this guy isn't a stone fixer and deffo does not know how to work with stone..

think carefully before allowing him to install a product he knows nothing about..


sorry but i had to LOL when you typed what he said.

 

[Fizz_bosh]

He did say he'd seal the edges at the same time as sealing the faces - before & after laying.
I'm worried. Very worried. I've paid alot for the stone... :-/ taking sandpaper to it tho - is that ok?