Help!: Help and advice needed...

[faithhealer]

On my very first job I thought I was helping a customer out by buying an extra box of white tiles, made a note of the batch No and even took a tile with me. Looked fine in the shop but looked dreadful after grouting. Never again, she hammered me, left my confidence in tatters but live and learn

[salmonfisher]

cheap crap tiles cheap crap tiler

you only get what you pay for

[bal]

I dont think Brens got a leg to stand on really sounds like hes tried to save money on both fronts and got stung and now he either lives with it or digs deep and sorts it out and buys a decent tile and employes a proper tiler.

[bren]

Thanks for all the comments....

To answer a few points:
I never tried to save money. I actually tried to get 6 quotes for the job. Ended up with 3 quotes. The guy I used was not the cheapest but could do it when we had time off work originally (although this did not work out). The guy I wanted to do the work actually blew me out completely. Another tiler only guy couldn't do it for many weeks after when we wanted. I guess now this is a sign of a busy good tiler. But things are great in hindsight.

Regarding B&Q tiles, I am no expert. I have no idea what is a good place to get tiles and which isn't. I can see from the responses that B&Q are not seen in high regards and I will definately bear this in mind in future. I will actually take the floor tiles back before they are laid! Please recommend a good tiler and a good tile store!?

Regarding pictures, I will try and post some. I need to recharge my camera battery and will put some on later.

Also regarding noticing the variations before laying. I must admit I didn't notice seeing variations before grouting. But after grouting it is distinctly obvious. Now I can see the variations in the ones that are still to be grouted....So now that I am aware and trained my eye to look for variation I can see. But again this is a learning curve for me.

I do take the points regarding mixing the tiles up, as I think if this happened the varying tiles would have been blended in and not noticed!

Thanks again.

[aj ball]

b&q tiles are poor quality done a job about 12 months ago batch numbers all the same opened the boxes mixed them up finished the job dusting the tiles down after grouting and 10-12 tiles stuck like a sore thumb never use b&q for tiles i always tell my customers never use b&q for tiles

[pjtiler]

put a 40 watt bulb in
and next time buy the tiles from a reputable tile shop,distributes

[kilty55]

the only advice i can give you is dont buy tiles from b and q because they are poor quality in general and dont employ a property maintenence man to tile your room proffesionaly as you wont get it,if you want a good job pay a tiler to tile your room,they specialise in one thing.........tiling ,,,not semi skilled at 6 different trades and punting out mediocar work as they please,,cheapest is not always the best!!!

[GazTech]

If only the general public would research the job, life would be far easier for them. We hare on the forum are a prime example, just a day or so reading relevant posts that are most like their project would stand them in very good stead. Bathrooms are the most expensive room along with kitchens in any house, why take a gamble when all the information on do's and dont's is just a google away.......Gaz

[Fekin]

I agree on both sides, shade variation is sometimes very difficult to spot until grouted but other times it's easy to spot, but a tiler in my opinion should always be looking out for this problem.

[andy-p]

Originally Posted by Drew Peacock

As I said, if the tiling is the problem get him back to sort that.
But don't go blaming him for the poor quality of the tiles aswell.

100% behind you here drew!! how many times in the past when tiles were of poorer quality, did you tile a room and not until after grouting did you notice shade differences, very difficult to spot sometimes..

[Dan]

Originally Posted by bren

Hi All,

Sorry to ask, but I do need some advice and help.

I have recently had a property maintenance guy to tile our bathroom, which was re-plastered especially for the job.

The guy has made a few big mistakes, like not aligning the small mosaics with the white tiles (Even though they fit exactly). Also many tiles are not straight. He had to re-tile a complete wall due to tiling the first lot on a slope, so the join in the top corner of two walls were way out.

Now after grouting two walls, we have noticed that there are many white tiles grouped together that are not the same shade of white! The tiles were bought by us at B&Q at the same time from the same pallet. The variation in white is pretty extreme and can easily be spotted.

I telephoned B&Q and told them of the problem and they said did I check the batch numbers on the boxes as the manufacturing colour process can vary. I had no idea to check for batch numbers. They also said that if you employed a professional to do the job, they should have spotted this and I should go to the tiler to get it sorted.

The thing I have an issue with is: B&Q are a DIY store. I am clearly no tiling expert and there was nothing in store to suggest to check batch numbers. I also cannot see a batch number on the boxes of the tiles. Only a EN number, but I don't know if that is batch number or product number. The store sales person never asked me if I checked the batch numbers either.

I think I have a good claim against B&Q and the tiler. What does anyone think I should do to rectify the problem?

P.S. I called the tiler after speaking to the B&Q. He said he has never checked tiles for batch numbers. More worrying he didn't even notice the variation in colours! Not surprising he hung a wall on a slope then?!?

Thanks.

Bren

Got any pictures you can show us?

[Dave]

Hi bren....sorry to here of your dilemma......where abouts are you and i'll see if i can sort you a tile fixer out....