Tile moving and grout breaking

[AliGage]

Hi everyone.

So I've been out the game for a few years after a serious hand injury. Just getting back into the swing of things.
I can't believe it took until page 4 of responses before anyone mentioned sanding/removing the latence from the screed. This needs to be done on anhydrate screeds before you even think of priming it.

Hi @Dan , I sent another letter which was the letter before court action. The tiler called me straight after receiving the letter and offered to visit. They brought someone with them as a mediator. We have them a tour of the shoddy work they had done but I wasn't surprised when they didn't accept any responsibility. Kept on blaming us by saying they applied what we had provided and that all liability lies with us. The mediator was more level headed and saw the argument for what it was. After numerous hours of phone calls we have another follow up on a few weeks time. The tiler did say they would rip and put the tiles down again this time with preparation. But the tiles have to be provided by us. We are going to speak again to see what their proposal is and maybe come to a compromise. I don't know if going to court is fruitful. From what I have read, the court will also recommend mediation. And am not sure if the court can mandate that the tiler pay the damages in full if the case decision is in my favor. It would be good to get some clarity if it's worth pursuing or not. New tiles aren't going to be cheap and we will have to live through the disruption.

Small claims court is your way forward I feel.
A judge can order a QS to survey and provide a report and estimated cost of repair.
I perhaps would get a few quotes prior in preparation. Not sure I'd want the same guy back to fix it to be honest.
QS costs and cost of repair (including replacing tiles) will be a cost bared by the respondent

taking the matter to court will cost thousands and take at least a year.
It's unfortunate but I would offer to pay for new tiles (if the old ones cannot be saved) and let him pay for adhesive and primer and provide the labour.

Nonsense.
Small claims court, can do it online. Is a fairly quick process and last time I had to go through it it was about £150

 

[procastinator]

Hi everyone.

So I've been out the game for a few years after a serious hand injury. Just getting back into the swing of things.
I can't believe it took until page 4 of responses before anyone mentioned sanding/removing the latence from the screed. This needs to be done on anhydrate screeds before you even think of priming it.


Small claims court is your way forward I feel.
A judge can order a QS to survey and provide a report and estimated cost of repair.
I perhaps would get a few quotes prior in preparation. Not sure I'd want the same guy back to fix it to be honest.
QS costs and cost of repair (including replacing tiles) will be a cost bared by the respondent

Nonsense.
Small claims court, can do it online. Is a fairly quick process and last time I had to go through it it was about £150

Hi @AliGage , thanks for responding. I haven't come across anyone bar you till date who is advocating going down the small claims court. I would like to get your perspective on this.
I have a quotation from a couple of traders which along with new tiles will cost us around 10k. The small claims court Make a court claim for money - https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/court-fees is £455 to bring you up to date. As per people there will be costs to be paid by myself for any surveys, mediation etc as he might not agree to come to the table.

I have already got a report done by a registered trader.
The issue I have is that there is no contract, or vat receipt, the trader isn't registered to a traders body. All I have is the chat of money requested and paid to the tiler, his company name registered to the companies house. I brought him the material and tiles, and as per him its my responsibility as I didn't supply the primer. He just did the work of setting the tiles.
Now currently I have him agreeing to clear and redo the tiles while I provide the tiles.

If I do put a small claim against them, and was able to get a decision in my favour - can they turn around show the accounts of being in loss as most vat registered businesses do and pay me a measly £50/£100 a month. That's what I have been told could happen.
This being my first running in with law I am not sure what to do. Ideally I would claim but will it be worth it.

 

[procastinator]

So folks, it has been a while since the last update.
The tiler initially agreed to help out but has since stopped taking the phone calls and has been ignoring us.

I am at the stage where we are going to take the loss, learn and move on from it.

Will are going to take the tiles up, clearing / levelling the floor, priming (x2), decoupling mat put down, then new tiles on top. This is going to happen this summer to everything to settle before underfloor heating is utilised in winter.

Just a very frustrating experience.

 

[Dan]

So sorry to hear about it all! It sucks.

But you know how it should be done now so know what to watch out for.

Do you have a tiler now then or are you tackling it?

 

[procastinator]

So sorry to hear about it all! It sucks.

But you know how it should be done now so know what to watch out for.

Do you have a tiler now then or are you tackling it?

Hey Dan,

Thanks. Hope we have it all covered now.

Re: Tiler. I do have someone who did the bathroom tiles. I played dumb with him when I asked him to check the floor tiling work. Questioned him what he would go on about tiling a UFH and the process. He said the correct things.

Should I be worried? Or do you have something in mind?

 

[Dan]

No no you're right to do some testing with him. Decoupler and flexi-everything (adhesive and grout) and you should be all gravy.

 

[procastinator]

No no you're right to do some testing with him. Decoupler and flexi-everything (adhesive and grout) and you should be all gravy.

Hey @Dan, we are starting the project to relay the tiles.
Would you recommend sanding after the tiles have been removed? If yes, which tool please.
Which primer is recommended from experience on anhydride/gypsum based screed?
Which mat is recommended from experience please since there are so many on the market?
TIA.