Please tell me straight - Tile Advice

[trayjord]

Hi all!

Late last year I decided I wanted a new bathroom installed. I spent a few weeks selecting all the different items I wanted for my bathroom. I found a local tradesmen who assured me he was able to fit bathrooms and tile and I basically listened. I don't have much experience when it comes to workmen. My husband has a basic understanding of bathrooms but sadly he works such long hours that he simply doesn't have the time for DIY projects.

I don't want to 'live in the past' so to speak because it can't be changed. Basically we went on holiday while the bathroom was being installed. Upon return I really did breakdown. I have never ever seen such a shocking bathroom. Fittings smashed & cracked, tiling looked I had done it, water leaking through my ceiling, missing tiles, gaps.... I could be here all day and night writing it out.

As it standards I can't salvage very much I don't think.
The radiator, the shower, and perhaps the monitor for the underfloor heating. The rest is only worthy of a skip I think. It doesn't look new, it looks like a teen has thrown a party in the bathroom.

At the moment I don't have a useable shower or a sink. I have a toilet (which spits when I flush it) and a bath tub. I am managing with just the toilet and the bath tub at the moment because its all I have.

I am now at the point where I am ready to start again. I will replace damaged items that I had my heart set on. I will buy different tiles, the ones I have will remind me of this mess so new tiles is a must.

Can anyone give me some good solid advice please?

What size tile is the best for bathrooms?
I had underfloor heating fitted (warmup sticky mat) but I have been advised that when the tiles come up, the mat will most likely be damaged. Should I go with wire or mat, under tiles?
When hiring a tradesman what should I be looking for? It is so difficult from a customers point of view. So much conflicting info. Some advice tanking a shower, others don't. Some advice the dabbing method, others don't. (the workman I employed dabbed behind all my tiles on the walls and floor and most have come up or fallen off). Some want payment upfront, others on finish of job.

Please help me in the right direction.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

We have a couple of forum members based in the Leeds area - don't go anywhere else - just contact them and invite a tender from up to 3 members.
Look at their portfolios and follow their input to the forum and make your choice.
Discuss your work via conversation post or messaging and get an idea of costs before they come out. There is a directory section based on areas for you to choose.
Enjoy the new bathroom!

 

[Dumbo]

Their is no need to ever pay a tradesman upfront apart from sometimes materials if there are a lot of them or if they are special order items .

 

[Old Mod]

Their is no need to ever pay a tradesman upfront apart from sometimes materials if there are a lot of them or if they are special order items .

You can't be that general with your statement, there are many reasons why a deposit is taken.
I always take a deposit one week in advance to show good will and intent by the client and to cover costs of materials. I learnt many years ago that paying for materials out of my own pocket can be a mistake.

 

[Lou]

I agree. Have a look in the directory here for a tiler that is a member of the forum.

Find a Tiler | Find professional wall and floor tilers for free - http://www.tilersforums.com/link-forums/tilers-directory-find-a-tiler.189/

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I couldn't find @John Benton in any area directory - he's in Leeds!

 

[Old Mod]

I couldn't find @John Benton in any area directory - he's in Leeds!

He's replied in the op's other thread John.

 

[Dumbo]

You can't be that general with your statement, there are many reasons why a deposit is taken.
I always take a deposit one week in advance to show good will and intent by the client and to cover costs of materials. I learnt many years ago that paying for materials out of my own pocket can be a mistake.

To be honest I don't ever take deposits on labour . Their is no need , if that job falls out of bed I do another . As regards materials as I said if there is a lot I would take payment but if there is a relatively small amount I will cover until job is paid for. I dare say I will be paid before the materials are due for payment . If the customer had a legitimate reason for not paying they would want back money they had paid you anyway .

 

[Old Mod]

To be honest I don't ever take deposits on labour . Their is no need , if that job falls out of bed I do another . As regards materials as I said if there is a lot I would take payment but if there is a relatively small amount I will cover until job is paid for. I dare say I will be paid before the materials are due for payment . If the customer had a legitimate reason for not paying they would want back money they had paid you anyway .

Yes but that only applies to you and your situation, and it certainly won't apply to every job or every tradesman. You can't speak on behalf of other tradesamen. That's all I'm saying.
If you want to discuss it fiurther, that's great, start a new thread tho please.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

He's replied in the op's other thread John.

I was trying to be subtle!

 

[Old Mod]

I was trying to be subtle!

Haha subtle and timeless John, you wouldn't normally expect to see all those words in the same sentence
I did actually wonder why you just didn't tag John straight off

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Haha subtle and timeless John, you wouldn't normally expect to see all those words in the same sentence
I did actually wonder why you just didn't tag John straight off

1. He's a Leeds supporter.
2 Martyn in Leeds might have felt left out.
3 Anyone else would have not appreciated my advice!
That's better had another coffee

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Don't worry, I'll be alright

 

[trayjord]

Awww thankyou Martyn.

John came to visit us last week so we could show off our lovely newly installed bathroom I'm just happy that visitors rarely ask to use the bathroom. Very embarrassing!