Is this acceptable quality from a professional?

[upset]

I've only ever done a few DIY jobs, but after I injured my arm had to get a "pro" in to do a kitchen wall and floor. One was recommended, and after 3 days of him moaning about everyone else's work, demanded £600 for the tiling and another £120 for latex on the floor (30 mins work) which he said wasn't even. This guy claimed to have been tiling for the best part of 40 years.

I questioned his worked on a couple of occasions: for example, why he didn't mitre the joints of the chrome trim. He said he's "never done that in my life" and I had to get him to porperly trim one piece as it was very rough - the result was massive scratching down a finished edge as he didn't file away from that side.

I've just had a kid, and thought my rage at his work was down to lack of sleep. Now everyone else that's seen his work thinks it's not that good either.

He also greatly over-estimated the tiles required - he wanted 4M for the wall when 2.5M were used (and a .2M thrown away which could have been used for edges) and again 14M when 11M was used on the floor - and surprise surpirse his "great mate" at the tile shop "who will do a great deal" won't take back the £200 of extra tiles.

Here's links to his work. I particularly like the way he couldn't be bothered to cut 3 mm off a tile so the kitchen unit foot would remain in place, instead lifted the foot up to shove the tile under it.

Now - as you are all professionals, should I accept his job good workmanship, or not?
If you feel it is bad, should I expect him to refund all or part of his work?

 

[Discount Tile Supplies]

some more pics would be good to see?

 

[kilty55]

more pics would be good but the trim work definately needs re doing so far from what i can see

 

[hillhead]

More pics needed for sure.

 

[DHTiling]

I do not see the need for the poll... but the thread can be discussed no probs.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Not sure if your 'upset' at the standard of trim fixing in the photos or how much you paid for under 14 sq metres of tiling.
If he came recommended then no doubt you did the basics checks on his work and received a written estimate - to which you agreed before he started.


:welcome: and I hope you get sorted.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I think the mitres should look more like these,Phil Hobson Image Gallery | Phil Hobson Tiler The red kitchen picture 14 I think should be a mitre

 

[Alan M]

the trim looks bad. he shouldnt have even been anywhere near the leg (just tile up close to it (6mm gap maybe) grouting is poor( could have cleaned out the corners and edges better)

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome...

 

[Mike]

it all looks poor and looks like the tiles to worktop joint has been grouted whereas it should be siliconed.

 

[jay]

Few more pics would be better

 

[upset]

Thanks for your input. I apologise for not saying hello as a new member.

I absolutely admire the quality of work of many of you that have posted pictures of your work here. It's on that basis that I got in a full-time tiler in to do the job and not tried to bodge anything myself!

I should say we got 3 quotes, from £600-800. The bloke that wanted £800 was a right pain and wouldn't leave, the dog hated him as well. A couple of indie tile shops said we should be paying around £150 a day, all tilers that quoted said it would be 3-4 days work so I imagined this is the going rate. The guy that did the work was available in a couple of weeks, the others were busy for a month. He was also recommended by an electrician we had in earlier and had cards in the indie tile shops.

He said after he started that the floor wasn't even, so to put the tiles down in the pattern we wanted, he had to latex it. I'm not sure how the tiles being turned 45degrees requires a 'flatter' floor (doesn't the 10mm of adhesive allow for this?), but when he then added £120 at the end for what is £20 of material and half-hour work... I probably would have chinned him there and then if he weren't in his 60s.

We have some screw-less socket and switches, it's difficult to see on the pictures but as he left so much grout around the white back-plates that the little clips that secure the front plate to the plastic back of the sockets didn't fit. I spent a few hours trying to gently take the excessive grout off, on some it worked, on others it didn't as the tiles around the sockets are unevenly mounted.

I'm sorry - it's carthartic to complain. I don't want to have a go at good tradesmen, but your opinion either vindicates my rage or excuses him.

For those that want more pictures, here you go. The wall tiles are in 4 colours, have a distressed edge and are all 100mm x 100mm if that helps with scale:

The floor is self is OK, there are points where the one tile is about 2-3mm lower or higher than the others around it... not what I would expect if he made the floor nice and even, but in some ways adds to the rustic look of the tile (even though they too are flat with a distressed edge).

 

[Gazzer]

Dont know where your photos have gone ???

 

[DHTiling]

Who are the indie shops to state what a tradesman should charge, and as for your comment.. you probably would of chinned him..?.

Wow!.. you sound a nightmare.. yes quality should be 100% but charging extra and you disagreeing deserves violence.. ?????? but you didn't because of his age.

and even your dog disliked the other tiler.... my ribs are aching LOL LOL..

 

[jay]

Pics didnt work

 

[Stef]

I find it highly amusing that "An Indie Tile Shop" should be telling you how much a tiler is worth.

says it all really.

 

[Muse2k8]

There's no pictures?

 

[kilty55]

pics havent worked for some reason upset? maybe you could re try did you downsize them ?

your trim work defo needs changing...you say your floor is fine apart from 1 tile well both these parts of the job can be rectified i would imagine

in regards to chinning a tradesman because he added money on for extra work i dont really think thats a fantastic idea

 

[Rich]

Same as, I cant see the pics?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I don't mind - not all pictures tell the story - sometimes the words explain more!