Poor Quality Tiling / Refusing Receipts

[Graham100]

Im in a bit of a rush this morning so this is a very slimmed down version of advice;

1. Send him a letter recorded delivery telling him the areas of tiling your unhappy with, include the photo's to make things absolutley clear
2. State in the letter that he has 14 days to respond, and if he agrees give him a reasonable amount of time to correct the faults (all at his own expense)
3. If he doesnt agree to correct the faults get some other quotes and choose someone to do the work, keep the quotes, ask the tilers qouting to go into a bit more detail that usualy as to what needs doing and why when they write the quote.
4. Choose one of the tilers to do the work and get it done, and get a fuller report from them as to what was wrong.
5. Keep comprehensive before and after photo's
6. Go to www.moneyclaim.gov.uk and issue small claims prooceedings to recover the cost of the repair work.

Make sure you only correspond with the current tiler in writing, and by recorded delivery, dont be drawn into conversation on the telephone with him.

If he supplied materials then the only 'reciept' you will get is an invoice for the work, he will need the reciepts for his tax retun.

Dont be tempted to miss out any of the steps, or go straight in for another tiler without corresponding with the current one in writing, if you have it done without giving him oppertunity to rectify you will probably lose any court case. And although you say he has already refused, unless its in writing, or no reponse, he could just go to court and deny you gave him chance.

Keep a folder with the letters and replies in.

You dont need a solicitor, money claim online is very easy to use, if it gets that far ill give you some more pointers.

Oli

Excellent advice.

 

[DJS]

Hi Jackal,

Remember me? I'm the tiler who lives 1/2 a mile from you and offered to do it when you posted in the looking for a tiler section.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and it's a real shame as I would have done it right for you first time, and I am sat here dumb-founded to be reading about the unfortunate situation your in now.

I sorry if it sounds like I don't have much sympathy, but you seemed to want a builder who does tiling, not a professional tiler. I hope you learn a lesson from this.

I class myself as a tiler who prefers to do own prep, be it building walls, plumbing bathroom suite's. The only things I won't do are the obvious one's (Gas/Lekky & Plastering - actually putting the muck on the walls!). But I know a very good plasterer. Shame.

Anyway, I know a few local builders round here. If you PM the name (don't name on the forum please), I will see if I can get the low down on the word on the street (Huggy Bear style!)

 

[adzm124]

Go on man, put the boot it, I'm sure they can't feel any worse!

 

[faithhealer]

Go on man, put the boot it, I'm sure they can't feel any worse!

I dont think denis is putting the boot in, but why advertise for a tiler on here and not use him, i'm sure Jackel relises that now and we hope others read this and learn from it.

 

[DJS]

Sorry if I was ranting a bit - I am not intending to put the boot in, just astounded and almost lost for words for this poor guy.

I am still offering to help with any information if I know the people responsible. Although I feel this probably would not be of any use in the long term proceedings anyway.

I sincerely hope the Jackal will have his day in court. I would first of all report the theft of documents to the police, meanwhile following Oli's advice with regards to getting the work fixed.

Good Luck Jackal and please say hello if you ever see me in my van around Heald Green. I drive through almost everyday!!

 

[mikethetile]

you are doing the right thing in seeking legal advise on this matter Jackal, in simple non payment cases you can go ahead with small claims yourself but once other factors get involved it pays to have proper legal advice

theres an old expression which still rings true today

anyone who represents themselves has a fool for a client

this job failed becouse you didnt employ a tiling specialist, dont let it fail again because youi didnt employ a legal specialist

 

[jackal792]

Thanks for all the replies.

We've had a response back... they've basically skipped over all the issues which we raised (we provided the same pictures that are on the forum plus more)

They started some plastering before they walked out which they half completed, they are now asking the full amount for that piece of work (in its half finished state) and then on that basis they will look at the issues with the bathroom to decide if they feel there is a problem or not.

Clearly they are having a laugh by asking for more money and then proposing to fix issues only if they feel that there is a problem.

We've got legal advice via consumer direct / home legal protection (this was under the advise of legal firms who basically said it wasn't worth it for us for them to get involved at this stage).

I'm half tempted to jack the whole thing in and focus my efforts in knocking up a website detailing the work and all the problems encountered with pictures...

 

[Graham100]

Thanks for all the replies.

We've had a response back... they've basically skipped over all the issues which we raised (we provided the same pictures that are on the forum plus more)

They started some plastering before they walked out which they half completed, they are now asking the full amount for that piece of work (in its half finished state) and then on that basis they will look at the issues with the bathroom to decide if they feel there is a problem or not.

Clearly they are having a laugh by asking for more money and then proposing to fix issues only if they feel that there is a problem.

We've got legal advice via consumer direct / home legal protection (this was under the advise of legal firms who basically said it wasn't worth it for us for them to get involved at this stage).

I'm half tempted to jack the whole thing in and focus my efforts in knocking up a website detailing the work and all the problems encountered with pictures...

Not sure what your motivation would be to create a website around it. It might appear that you are having fun if it went to court. You also run the risk of them suing you for deformation of character if you mention their name on the website.

If you have given them an opportunity to correct the work and they have responded negatively, surely the next step is get someone else to finish the work and take them to the small claims court for the cost.

 

[kilty55]

take them to a small claims,im not sure why legal firms have advised you its not worth it? call another firm and ask what route you can take do not drop it

 

[jackal792]

Not sure what your motivation would be to create a website around it. It might appear that you are having fun if it went to court. You also run the risk of them suing you for deformation of character if you mention their name on the website.

If you have given them an opportunity to correct the work and they have responded negatively, surely the next step is get someone else to finish the work and take them to the small claims court for the cost.

Pure frustration is why we'd set a page up!

Sending a response this week to give them a final chance as per:
PRACTICE DIRECTION – PRE-ACTION CONDUCT - Ministry of Justice

After this we'll move forward with it.

 

[jay]

Pure frustration is why we'd set a page up!

Sending a response this week to give them a final chance as per:
PRACTICE DIRECTION – PRE-ACTION CONDUCT - Ministry of Justice

After this we'll move forward with it.

just a thought what would stop them setting up a web page reg yourself
i think your better than them dont stoop to there level you have done nothing wrong best to move forward

 

[DHTiling]

All we can do is wish you well on your claim but we are not legally qualified to give this sort of advice.. So stick with who you have handling it and please do let us know how you progress..

Thanks Admin.

 

[mikethetile]

Daves absolutely spot on with his advice

this isnt the right place to get complex legal advice

the guy you are dealing with is slippeir than a snake in sun oil and you will need to box clever to beat him, and once beaten you still need to get your money back plus all your costs

its gutting to be in this situation but take stock of your situation and decide whats most important to you and your family

you have our full understanding and sympathy

 

[jackal792]

Cheers both of you!

Its rubbish having to deal with it but more than anything we wouldn't want this guy doing it to someone more vulnerable!

Hopefully we can see this thing through to the end!

 

[Mouldy]

Just a thought having not read the entire thread, do you have legal cover on your house insurance? If so, use it!

If you have approached a solicitor and they have told you this is not worth pursuing, its because they will end up costing you more then they will recover. I know, been there, done that.

Again, check your house insurance policy.....