Mismatched tile colour on new installation

[Jarmex]

Hi all,

We've been having a bit of a disaster with our renovation, specifically with the kitchen floor. We had a tiler in, however some of the tiles he has laid are a noticeably different shade to the others (see picture). I have since found out that this is due to them being from a different batch. The reason for this is that (for unrelated reasons) we didn't have the correct number of tiles for the job, and explained we would order more to make up the extra before he started. Obviously we didn't realise that when we ordered more of the same tile, there could end up being colour differences between batches and unfortunately we now have a couple of very noticeable 'patches' on the floor.



I will speak to the tiler later, but I'm not really sure where the fault and therefore expense lies here - was it my fault for ordering the second batch without realising there could be a colour difference? Was it the tiler's fault for not advising me about the colour difference knowing I was ordering a second batch, for not checking the labels/colour and/or mixing boxes before laying? Was it the distributor's fault for accepting the second tile order knowing we had another order for the same tile previously (they commented on it!)? I'm assuming it's probably me or the tiler.

Additionally, I'm not quite sure how to resolve it. I guess I will have to contact the distributor to see if they can match the previous batch and rip the off-colour ones up?

Thank you for any advice,

James

 

[Flintstone]

Hello James, there is no easy fix here other than taking tiles up, the tile shop won't take responsibility, and I personally don't think it's fair to blame the tiler for tiles that he hasn't supplied. Are they from b and q or wickes, somewhere like that ?

Although it looks very obvious, some times it's hard to notice until it's grouted

 

[Italy]

probably the tiler, it was not a tiler.
or pretends to be tiler.

 

[J Sid]

hi James

tricky one, your tiler should have checked batch numbers and stopped and told you there was a problem.

All the tiles should have been returned to the shop and been replaced with a new lot of the correct number and same batch.

the tile shop should have asked you what the batch number of the tiles you have and tried to match it with the new order when you ordered extra and if they couldn't they should have told you and given you some options.

 

[Jarmex]

Thank you for your responses everyone

Localtiler, if the consensus is that it is my fault them I will bite the bullet and accept responsibility/cost. To answer your question, the tiles are from a specialist tile shop.

antonio, I don't think it would be fair to say the tiler is not a tiler. He is a specialist tiler with many years experience and the quality of the work (apart from the obvious error) is excellent, made harder by tiling on a very slightly off-level floor,

 

[J Sid]

Antonio is correct, the first job for a tiler turning up on a job is to
1: have cuppa
2: check the batch numbers on the tiles are the same.
3: check the tiles are what the customer was expecting.

you'll be surprised how many times the answers to 2 and 3 are no.

 

[J Sid]

sorry Antonio, should say coffee🙂

 

[gamma38]

I don't check tiles much anymore if i haven't supplied. I do ask the customer if they are happy with them though. If it's yes i crack on. I have had to many delays and being messed around with tiles being changed, returned due to no fault of my own. i am then out of money. I know it sounds harsh and a bit irresponsible but if the customer is happy to supply then they must take responsibility for checking them not the tiler. The tiler gets the blame for too much.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Thank you for your responses everyone.

antonio, I don't think it would be fair to say the tiler is not a tiler. He is a specialist tiler with many years experience and the quality of the work (apart from the obvious error) is excellent, made harder by tiling on a very slightly off-level floor,

Unfortunately the work completed doesn't match your opinion of a 'specialist'! Although the order and supply of your tiles are the cause of your problem the final responsibility is with the tiler to ensure that all the tiles are acceptable - once fixed you've ( he) has accepted.

 

[Italy]

Now we start with the same old story ....
I give up, good evening to all

 

[Time's Ran Out]

That's it we won't see him again till 4.30 in the morning!

 

[J Sid]

job I did this week, a small bathroom. Check and all same batch. Started tiling and seamed slight colour change in some tiles which look bad when grouted. Been back today to change 6 🙂
turned out the batches are all the same but the shop had replaced broken tiles in some boxes with different batch tiles.
shop owned up and paid for my day. I had the empty boxes as proof.
if I'd down tools in the week to sort it I would have lost a couple of days money.

 

[Flintstone]

I always give the batch numbers a quick check. You can usually tell tho if your gonna have problems, if they have all arrived on a pallet then your probably gonna be ok, if there is a pile that have been picked up from a diy outlet then your probably gonna have 3 different batches. I can spot a miss match easily now, the ones in the photo should have been spotted as he was fitting them if the tiler has eyes.

 

[Spare Tool]

James, who measured the job up in the first place..you or your tiler? if that had been done right at the start you wouldn't have this problem now..

 

[One Day]

If i had done that, and actually fixed the tiles, I'd be so embarrassed and personally gutted that I'd pay to resolve it.
Tiler should have warned you of batch deviation and then checked carefully.
No excuse for him I'm afraid.
Customer is not expected to be aware of batch and shading, and tile shops simply sell tiles without a great deal of thought usually!

 

[One Day]

James, who measured the job up in the first place..you or your tiler? if that had been done right at the start you wouldn't have this problem now..

I swear, every job which my client has measured themselves is wrong. In 10yrs not one client has got it right! Even a surveyor I worked for got it way out!

 

[hmtiling]

That is not a slight difference in shade. How he missed that is beyond me. I think the supplier should have a proportion of the blame here too if they were told they were to match other tiles batch/shade numbers should've been taken.
As far as who's legally obliged to rectify it, i think that will be you as you supplied the tiles. If i'd have done that, which i wouldn't, i'd at very least remove and fix new tiles for free.

 

[andyb1]

Looks more like a different tile to me, they are completely different.

 

[Italy]

All beating about the bush.
the answer remain only one.
the fault lies with the tiler, because to placed the tiles, of another color.
stop.
a tiler with a conscience, do not do these things.
everything else is like climbing on the glass.

 

[Andy Allen]

On my quotation I always state..
'To fix new tiles to area's as specified '
OR..
'To supply and fix tiles to area's as specified '

Big difference in responsibility between the two quotes..

 

[Cris]

Lazy set out on door threshhold too

 

[Andy Allen]

Lazy set out on door threshhold too

Maybe there's a sofa going there....🙂

 

[Just Rizzle]

i would go back to the shop any decent retailer would of tried to batch match especially if you said there were to make up shortage from already supplied tiles.
secondly did the tiles have a protected wax on them as look like one i did recently where a wax coating was put on to protect and had to scrub off with wax off this could explain y tiler didnt notice shade difference

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Unfortunately the work completed doesn't match your opinion of a 'specialist'! Although the order and supply of your tiles are the cause of your problem the final responsibility is with the tiler to ensure that all the tiles are acceptable - once fixed you've ( he) has accepted.

What's not to like about my post?
1 post in 4 years and you dislike my reply , or have you got fat fingers?🙂

 

[Mark jude]

Sadly nowadays everyone seems to blame the trades man . I've had same batch tiles that have still been different colors . If you have had the timer in to measure up the area when quoting then the amount of times plus wastage should have been bought ,
Who ever purchased the tiles should have checked batch and shade codes match up , weather it was on Del of tiles or when in stock in shelf . Then when the installation starts they should have been checked again , then shown to customer but tiles were short to start so the job should not been started , unless the customer understands there is a chance additional tiles might be different . It may now be hard to source matching tiles to original ones . So really there are at least 5/7 checks before starting but the end responsibility is with who ever bought tiles . I normally wooumd change few tiles like this above if new tiles can be found that match as a good will gesture as good word mouth advertising is supberb and customer could say a great job and explain how the tiler even came back to change few tiles of different color for us . Then everyone sort of comes out of this this without much cost lost . The owner then could also give hand cleaning up old tiles and offer something as a good will gesture for additional time for tiled and , then customers floor looks fab as it should have done . Sadly though jobs like this never seem get sorted that easy