W
White Room
One I looked at in Collingdale
I'm Stuck - Wish My Tiles Were
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One I looked at in Collingdale
M
My dog's called Trevor
Thanks CJ
I figured this would be the general trade response. Logically there were 3 main options - leave it (that is a no-no), fix it (which is where we are now) or start over. I've tried to keep the third on the agenda as a last resort and least preferred if not fixable. As you've probably seen I started the thread just to get a feel for what an independent view would be - though I had a pretty good idea.
I think the fix it option is exhausted. I don't have any confidence in what's being proposed and do not want to be here again in a couple of years.
Reaching that conclusion on Sunday night trying to sort out his **** up which I'd paid for (actually prepared to put the time in if it helps, though Christ knows I've got better things to do), with the missus in tears at the thought of it all starting over, I've kept myself and her asking the question why we are where we are.
I know I've chucked in the odd light hearted line in what I've posted - least I can do to try and give someone a chuckle when they're spending time helping. But Cam's point earlier
C
cam_low
M
My dog's called Trevor
Sorry hit send. Cam's point about stress and yours here are spot on
Thanks again
Matt
Found myself saying " oh my god!" Looking at the pics. You have been extremely patient with this guy. You seem a great customer, but there is only one way to sort this , that is to rip it all out and start again. The builder should have public and professional insurance, you should be claiming on that to put this right.
Hope it all works out.
Hope it all works out.
M
My dog's called Trevor
C
cam_low
one thing this job has taught me in the 30% of fixing other people poo work is that if things dont go to plan in my life I suck it up and get on with it, be it a parking ticket or my gearbox on the old van going costing me two grand just as I started out down here. I try to stay stress free and thats what I tell my customers. Its not worth the heartache.
I fix the job, they take pics I put my bill in and they choose whether to chase the matter or to be happy and content in the knowledge that they will never get their fingers burned again and that the douche who did them over, well, one day karma will take him out.
or if you happen to know a man down the pub who knows where to see the man about the dog...then that is a a different tale for a different evening...not broadcast on here though. best off down the pub !!
thanks, ok bed THIS time. bon soir.
I fix the job, they take pics I put my bill in and they choose whether to chase the matter or to be happy and content in the knowledge that they will never get their fingers burned again and that the douche who did them over, well, one day karma will take him out.
or if you happen to know a man down the pub who knows where to see the man about the dog...then that is a a different tale for a different evening...not broadcast on here though. best off down the pub !!
thanks, ok bed THIS time. bon soir.
W
White Room
Did'nt think any insurance would cover for bad workmanship....
M
My dog's called Trevor
Thanks Chalker
A
Responses coming thick and fast and I haven't been able to keep up. Hard replying to everyone so thanks to those I've not responded to directly - Chalker, Whitebeam, Julian, 3 Fall as well as those who've I've responded to through the day.
Started this thread about 24 hours ago and Cam was responding at about 2am. Turned in now, bless him, and who could blame him?
Looking back at my original post I was after a bit of expert opinion on how hard to push for what was emerging for me as the only solution to what's happened. Quite clear I have that now. In a much stronger position to push for what needs to be done to get it right. I've got a pretty good idea of how things should go if it reaches deadlock and I have to say 'Shall we get a second opinion or two?' Think I've already got loads.
Don't get me wrong about this bloke. He's a nice guy, wouldn't do you over, and his construction stuff has been really good. He hasn't buggered off and wants to put this right. Obviously just out of his depth (Jesus, more than me, the DIY-er) on the floor. I do feel for him as he'll probably take a big hit. Best he doesn't touch a tile again and hits the books for UFH (or just reads the instructions maybe). Wish I had earlier as I'd never have allowed what's happened but I guess you shouldn't have to.
Doesn't seem much doubt that what I'd thought is what the trade thinks - although I'm still tempted to give the squirrels with their weights a go. Failing that, Doug's Ruby and Elvis are welcome to quote. My dog, Trevor, as you know, would be crap - just hasn't got the attention span and not a fan of the shiny tiles as he does Scooby Doo legs akimbo every time he legs it outside to chase the squirrels I so desperately need to advance floor tiling techniques to a new level.
So 24 hours on I've got the bit of background I felt I needed to try to move this forward. Very impressed with everyone's input - you guys are like tiling Samurai, defending wherever needed against tiling injustice. Great stuff, everyone, and hugely appreciated.
Don't really know the right salutation but may your grout always be the right consistency and your spacers true (sorry, too late to do better).
Seriously, really helpful day and you should all be proud that you've done quite a bit of restoring faith in tradesmen and people in general. Better not be anyone welling up or sniffing here - just not right.
Thanks so much again everyone
Regards
Matt
Matt, I admire your patience. As has been said already, your builder has done a shockingly bad job, the worst I have seen. You also seem to know what needs to be done, a total rip-out ( at the builders expense). You have paid to have your floor tiled correctly, and that's what you should expect. His remedial works are getting more and more bizarre, and will never cure the huge problems that are clearly evident with your floor
I haven't studied them or read your post properly but just in case you're about still I wanted to quickly ask for a picture or two under the plinths.
Im surprise your builder hasn't run a mile by now thats the normal reponse from them when things go belly up.
How do you think he's going to take your request to start again?
Does he admit he's dropped a massive boo boo or is he trying to blame other things to worm his way out..
How do you think he's going to take your request to start again?
Does he admit he's dropped a massive boo boo or is he trying to blame other things to worm his way out..
That's some bad do do.
All depending on your budget, and wether your builder would pay for it , if it was me I'd try and keep the kitchen in, every bloke on here has tiled a floor a with kitchen in , it is doable and certainally not a bodge job as long as its prepped right.
not the best pics but this was tiled with the island and kitchen in, granite work tops ect, and these were 1200x600 🙂
All depending on your budget, and wether your builder would pay for it , if it was me I'd try and keep the kitchen in, every bloke on here has tiled a floor a with kitchen in , it is doable and certainally not a bodge job as long as its prepped right.
not the best pics but this was tiled with the island and kitchen in, granite work tops ect, and these were 1200x600 🙂
C
cam_low
My use of that word was very loose wider...Maybe I should have chose a better term.
Clarity on tiling options in moving forward would be available after a site visit.
Im your job above... Did you have to remove an old floor... Any slc around the island?
Clarity on tiling options in moving forward would be available after a site visit.
Im your job above... Did you have to remove an old floor... Any slc around the island?
M
My dog's called Trevor
M
My dog's called Trevor
M
My dog's called Trevor
Andy
He's admitted its been a **** up - sort of had to when the tiles started knocking. Staying a bit quiet on bare UFH cable.
A request to get it all up with kitchen out if needed will go down badly but I think he'll start to realise he's not really in a position to have an opinion. His options will be to comply, get another opinion (and then comply), or walk away in which case he'll need chasing.
Hasn't got a leg to stand on if he disputes the request. The adhesive used doesn't stick to porcelain. The stuff he thought he used says on the bag (I'm stood next to it) that floor tiles must be laid on a solid bed. The UHF instructions say level with SLC then solid bed. Any how to do it DIY website or a leaflet from B+Q tells you what's wrong here.Then there's all the opinions posted here.
Who'd carry on arguing? Hope he won't.
Cheers
Matt
🙂 was not a dig at you cam .
But we have all had to rip floors up with kitchens in and re do them, not every job is a nice empty flat square room 😉
Im just trying to give the chap options , which will give him a good job without ripping everything out, unless this bloke is a upstanding human and coughs up over 20 grand matt will be out of pocket , A LOT 🙁
As for my job, no ripping out, it was tiled by myself over ten years ago, nigh on 70m2, no kitchen in when tiled 1st ,the bloke tried taking one up, was solid as a rock, so we matted with .85 tilemaster matting and tiled in porcelthin so it didnt raise it to much
D
Dougs Third Go
I genuinely feel sorry for the guy (and yourselves obviously), he's gone in way above his depth of knowledge and experience and it's gonna cost him. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I'll bet he's having sleepless nights now just wishing he'd got an experienced tiler to do the work.
M
My dog's called Trevor
Definitely all sensible options (no jam or squirrels) will still be for consideration and the pulling up around the units is possibly an option. Not fussed if the tiling under cupboards is crap - won't see them until my missus wants another kitchen. Just thinking how much easier if kitchen dismantled and stored. No cutting under units. Units won't be covered in crap (don't give me dust sheets, they never work). At the concrete end there're big bifold doors with barely a lip above the floor. Level a bit tight here and to relay floor the adhesive sticking the insulation boards may need hacking or grinding off. This was a bed with a notched trowel so he's obviously heard of that quaint method. All going to be easier without working round and under things.
The 20 grand figure is what I'd be looking at if its not done right now and there's a disaster in a few years and a similar kitchen needs to be put in. That would be if the floor failed and had to come up, an end panel or two got damaged and couldn't be replaced. The stone cost just shy of two grand fitted and might, just might, be removable. The kitchen fitting was another two so unlikely to be much more than four to take down and put back up. New UFH and insulation is about one grand. Most of the tiles should be reusable. Don't know what it'd cost to put in an expansion joint (is that a case of cutting down between the membrane and the timber and putting in rubber or Silicon?). Then there's the cost of one of you gentlemen to do the work (don't think he'll like that but would you have him do it again?). Reckon it'll be well under 10 grand. His fee was 50 for all the work he did. I don't know his margins but He had hardly any
M
My dog's called Trevor
(Keep hitting post by mistake) hardly any labour and other than steels and velux windows, and roof tiles and lead, he was paying only for basic building materials.
So if he only made 20 grand on the job or 15 even, if it costs him say 7 or 8 to put it right he's still made something. Appreciate he's got to eat and put diesel in the van and what not but he won't actually be out of pocket.
O
Old Mod
Matt deserves a medal, builder doesn't know exactly how lucky he is, even if he does end up paying for repairs!
C
cam_low
wow. if only all customers were like you matt. well played for not losing it !
M
My dog's called Trevor
M
My dog's called Trevor
Shucks. Come on now
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