Advice: independent expert report on tiling

[Ainhoa]

Hi everyone,
I'm sure there are many many excellent tilers out there, but unfortunately there are a few who don't seem to fall into that category.
Recently, we had some tiling done in quite a large area, and we feel this hasn't been done with reasonable care/skill, or with materials fit for their purpose.
Our next step is to obtain an independent expert's report on the work carried out. Has anyone come across this situation before, or has anyone had the need to consult with an independent expert before? Where do I find such a person?
I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out;we're really upset at the work that was done, never mind the money we have probably lost (porcelain tiles, underfloor heating...), but most importantly of all, the area in questions is our kitchen/dining area, as we just want to get the problem fixed, move on, and finally start enjoying our new house.
Kind regards,
Buzz

 

[Olz]

The first step would be to consult the tiler in question, have you told him / her your not happy with the work and asked them to correct it.

PS, please take the time to register, its free and you'll get access to the main forums where all the pros will be able to see your questions and advise you.

The TTA is the tiling industries professional body, but its not cheap to have a report done, around teh £800 mark was a figure banded about recently.

 

[Ajax123]

Ditto everything Oli says

The BRE are also a good source of independent test reporting etc. I use them when I need someone truly independent to do a report on substrates.

 

[Ainhoa]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies so far - yes, the first thing we did was discuss the issues with our tiler, but he was not prepared to rectify the problems. So as a result we're at this impasse.

Any further input would be greatly welcome!

Regards,

Ainhoa

 

[Gazzatile]

Oli is right get the tiler back and sort it out, will work out better in the long run

 

[borgie]

What did the tiler say when you confronted them?

 

[faithhealer]

I'm afraid these stories are becoming more common, do you want to go into more detail?

 

[White Room]

Do you have any pictures you could share with us

 

[Ajax123]

If you have already confronted the tiler and drawn a blank face to face and verbally the next thing you need to do is put your complaints in writing. Make sure though that the complaints are real and not just being overly picky (if you will excuse the term) because it did not meet up with your expectations. I know it is difficult but you must remove emotion from this and concentrate on facts. Has he done a reasonable job but it did not meet your exacting expectations or has he made a right pigs ear of it. Do you know any local professional tilers who would be willing to come and have a look to give an unbiased opinion. An expert report is only usefull if you intend to take legal action and it will be pricey. Fitness for purpose is a tricky one sometimes because you may not beleive something is right for a job but in reality it is technically perfectly suitable. I come across this a lot particularly in respect of drying times for floor screeds. Customers often mis interpret or even ignore what they are told and then fall back on the "it is not fit for purpose if it takes longer than 2 weeks to dry" sort of thing. Also it may be that "the purpose" was not clearly identified to the tiler and he has interpretted things one way whilst you have interpretted them another. I have been down this road with customers and their end clients so often that I would not want to count the times. It usually comes down to my customer installing a material well within the required minimum standards but these standards did not meet with what the clien thought he was getting even though it has been fully explained to him.

Keep copies of any letters you write to him as I suspect this will be the first of probably 2 or 3 that you have to end and don't waffle in the letter make it very simple and concise.

Once you have listed your complaints a phrase along the lines that you beleive that in light of the issues listed he has failed to to fulfill the terms of his contract with you and that you trust that he as a professional contractor will realise this and complete the work as agreed within a reasonable period ..... say 14days from the date of the letter.

Try to put it politely but simply and firmly at this stage. Don't flower it up with platitudes because these can innadvertantly cause you legal problems later on.

This is the first step and will hopefully nudge him in the rigth direction. If it does go to court or arbitration (and that is realistically the final solution) then you ned to demonstrate that you have tried every reasonable method available to you to sort it out without resorting to such measures.

I'll stop waffling now. Some pics might be useful and some ida of specifically what your complaint is so that the tiling pros on here can offer a more objective opinion.

 

[Colour Republic]

Sound advice