Different sized floor tiles

[bluevin123]

Hi,
Was about to tile a 15mt2 consevatory floor on Friday doing a chequerboard effect,black and white tiles.300x 300,when me mate noticed all the black tiles were2-3mm smaller all around.
We layed a few tiles down dry to show the customer what it would look like,and explained that the grout lines would be out all around,and basically look crap,and said to change the tiles. They rang the shop and the assistant said to use a bigger grout line,but agreed it
would not look good,this I knew, he then said they can be up to 2mm smaller through the shrinking process,I said well some are 3m out,he said ah ah well thats European standards,they can be up to 4mm.Ha ha I thought.
Anyway they went to a different shop,an hour later they phoned and said they got some ,but are 1mm out.I said that should be ok. When they got back, we checked and again 2-3mm out.The women was at the end of her tether and said just lay them,dont worry.This we did,it looked ok(from next door)
What would you do in this instance?We never come across tiles that are out this much.
Cheers.
Vin.

[whitebeam]

If the smaller tile is the black one would the women have black grout, Just a shot in the dark Bluevin

[bluevin123]

Well,she wanted charcoal grout Whitebeam.
Cheers.
Vin

[garythetiler]

i havent come across this sort of problem for a long time as tiles are calibrated much better these days ,were the black tiles bigger or was it the white ones ? the reason why i am asking is if you colour match the grout with the smaller tile this can sometimes help, however with a 3mm difference i would have taken them back and chose a different tile from a different factory hope this helps

[whitebeam]

Pretty close then, I don't think it will notice to much. Did a black and white 4 in one and the grout was charcoal it was dark enough

[bluevin123]

The black tiles were the ones that were smaller, so we layed them,done about 9mts then today got a call from the consevatory company today, saying for us to collect out tools,she is not happy.We explained it would look s***e. Also said that the grout should make it look better.

Vin.
Vin.

[whitebeam]

It sounds like the customer is blaming you even though you explained the situation, Do you do the job or tell the client your not working with these tiles Thats so out of order, Catch 22.

[bluevin123]

Your right there mate, didnt want to do it to begin with,truth be known,but hey,just one of the things we have to put up with,
GGRRRRRRRRR!!!!

[LM Ceramics]

i totallly feel for you mate especially being told by the customer to continue despite you warning her some customers you just cant work out what is going around in their brain

[Saltire69]

Did a Kitchen s/b, black/white b&q specs. There where only out about a 1-2mm. went for anthracite grout and it did make a big difference when grouted. U couldn't really c the bigger tiles.

[whitebeam]

When I done it with the same size tiles black and white with a charcoal grout just made the black tiles look bigger

[graham31]

In this sort of situation could you not get the customer to sign a disclaimer saying you have explain the difference in tile size and how it will look but the customer has told/happy for you to continue?

Make up one disclaimer to cover most things

[IGTiling]

Sorry to hear about your problem - personally I would go with graham31's suggestion and get a disclaimer form made up which the customer has to sign. It would at least give you some recall if the customer turns around later and says they are not happy with the look of the tiling.

[enduro]

Could you not of layed them brickbond so the difference was not so visible with grout lines?

[MICK the Tiler]

I simply refuse to install, Politely of course, that way my reputation remains intact. Sometimes the smart thing to do is walk away when faced with problems that are out of your control, but if accepted then it becomes your problem and she is within her rights to complain (although not fair on the fixer) Yes she was warned and you have done everything right................ except you are the pro and you need to know what can and can't be done. It's not your job to try and make SH*T SHINE.

[smurf21]

Rule of thumb if you dont think you can make a good enough job with the mats provided then dont do it once you fix them its on you.( it sucks i know but thats how it is )

[bluevin123]

Thanks guys,some great tips there to remember,I will certainly word up a disclaimer form for future jobs.
Cheers.
vin.

[IvegotsTILE]

I'm with Mick totally!

[Oli]

Hope your still getting paid mate, sometimes you just cant win.