Disaster tiling job being fixed

[L1bel]

Hello all

New user here - please go easy

I recently had a disaster of a tile job done in my bathroom (approx 23 sq m). I made the builder re-do large sections but it was still a disaster 6 weeks later so I had to terminate his services. Like a fool, I had paid for half the job in the initial instalments but rectifying the situation will cost more than the remainig half . It's people like that who give the trade a bad name but it was a lesson learned for me I tell you.

Anyway, I now have now found a tiler who has been highly recommended to me to re-do the entire job so fingers crossed. I'm sure to have many questions over the next few days but my fiirst ones are:

1. My wall tiles are 600mm x 300mm polished porcelain. I do not know what type of adhesive has been used (trying to find out from previous builder). What is the likelihood that they could be taken off the plasterboard walls unharmed, be cleaned off and be re-used? I'm hoping that my new builder can re-use as many as possible but worst case is I need to buy a full new set which will be a disaster for me.

2. Also, what is the best way to fix a 900mm x 500mm (4mm thin) polished edge mirror to the wall? I would ideally like it to be flush with the tiles but give the extra labour, and the fact I'm now having to try and save labour costs, I could live with it being stuck or screwed on. Mirror adhesive seems a simple solution. Is that better than risking damaging the tiles by drilling in to them?

3. On a mirror selling website, it said in big red letters not to use mirror adhesive with mirrors which are safety backed. Is that correct? Anyone know why?

4. The floor area is about 3.5 sq m. I initially put 300mm x 300mm matt tiles which matched my wall tiles but they are all uneven and need to be ripped off. I am thinking of putting the 600mm x 300mm polished wall tiles on the floor (the manufacturer says they are both wall and floor tiles). I just wondered whether polished porcelain floor tiles would become a death trap if wet??!

That's all for now! Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[kilty55]

hello sorry to hear of your disaster job , in regards to polished porc on the floor getting wet yes it makes them slippy especially if you have kids i wouldnt advise it personally in the bathroom but thats just my opinion.

i also would say i dont think you will be able to save tiles from the wall that have been fixed ...i can suggest if you ask the tiler your using he may well be able to get you a decent discount from the tile shops which will save you some money for re buying them

[mikethetile]

sorry to hear about your bad job

if the mirror has a safety film adhered to the rear you will not be able to stick it and will have to use mirror brackets or have it drilled and screw it

[L1bel]

hello sorry to hear of your disaster job , in regards to polished porc on the floor getting wet yes it makes them slippy especially if you have kids i wouldnt advise it personally in the bathroom but thats just my opinion.

i also would say i dont think you will be able to save tiles from the wall that have been fixed ...i can suggest if you ask the tiler your using he may well be able to get you a decent discount from the tile shops which will save you some money for re buying them

Thanks Kilty.

Re the floor tiles, thanks for the input. I may double think this but having no kids and a small area which will have a matt of some sort on it, I might be ok. Good to know of the dangers though!

That will be a real pain if the tiles can't be salvaged. It took me ages to find some I liked. I've already spoken with the tile retailer and the best discount they can do for me is 18% off the retail price (given i've already bought about 30 sq m!). not confident of new tiler being able to get better since there are only 3 places in London that seem to stock them (manufactured by Original Style tiles). Trying to get my previous tiler to compensate me is an option but not holding my breath!

[L1bel]

sorry to hear about your bad job

if the mirror has a safety film adhered to the rear you will not be able to stick it and will have to use mirror brackets or have it drilled and screw it

Thanks for the confirmation. I haven't bought the mirror yet and have the option of having a safety film on it or not. Guess I won't have it and go with mirror adhesive then.

[GirlRacerRed]

to be honest L1bel, you should be chasing your original builder for a refund of your money in respect of the appalling job done so far. he messed it up and it should be him who pays to put it right.

[mikethetile]

your tiler should be able to better that discount for you

[L1bel]

to be honest L1bel, you should be chasing your original builder for a refund of your money in respect of the appalling job done so far. he messed it up and it should be him who pays to put it right.

You're absolutely right - I'm certainlly entitled to it and I will try although I suspect it will be like getting blood from a stone. Plus, I don't want to delay the job until and if I get anything from him as I just desparately want the work to be put right and finished.

I have taken plenty of photos of the issues and put my issues in writing to him but he says he has no money so if I want to take him to court I can but I'll still get nothing!

[GirlRacerRed]

take him to small claims court L1bel. there's a few threads on here I think already about the process and forms. it's relatively simple and quite realistically priced.

[L1bel]

your tiler should be able to better that discount for you

Hmmm, in that case I'll ask him to have a go. Thanks.

[L1bel]

take him to small claims court L1bel. there's a few threads on here I think already about the process and forms. it's relatively simple and quite realistically priced.

Yes, that will be the only way I think. I should check the threads for this as I'm not sure what I need to do in order to protect my position other than take photos. I don't really want to have to get an independent assessor in to do a report on their current state as it will delay the rectification time.

EDIT - ok, seems getting a report from an independant tiler is the best advice especially if it can be done for less than £100. Problem is my new tiler was due to start tomorrow. I'll post a job query on this board now in case anyone here could do it!

[SandyFloor]

Sorry to hear of your dilemma.

Re. salvaging the wall tiles. If they've been fixed with tubbed adhesive usually you can soak them for a day or two in water to soften the adhesive. The problem is having enough containers to soak 20sq. mtrs of tiles. You will probably need to buy more tiles anyway and may cause probs if not from the same batch.

Also worth checking out your walls are substantial enough to take the weight of porcelain tiles. I have a feeling the plasterboard may not stay intact when the tiles are removed.

Sorry.....your builder has a lot to answer for.

[GirlRacerRed]

Yes, that will be the only way I think. I should check the threads for this as I'm not sure what I need to do in order to protect my position other than take photos. I don't really want to have to get an independent assessor in to do a report on their current state as it will delay the rectification time.

here's the link to the website. it should have instructions on how to proceed and what evidence you will need to produce.

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

and further information can be found at

Making a Claim

you may need to seriously consider getting an independent report done asap as this will help with the speed of your claim plus will allow you to get the rectification work done more quickly. don't be put off getting an independent report, it will be invaluable in your case.

we can recommend members of this forum in your local area to come and do an assessment of the current work achieved by your builder.

[Dan]

A tiler may be able to get a better discount for you on Original Style tiles, there are hundreds of stores across the UK that deal with Original Style, including Topps Tiles. And the tile shops do get the tiles at a decent rate to be fair. Having said that, as a Tiler I'd never give my discount, or split it 50/50. But that was just me.

I'd also say you should claim costs back from the builder. Though there is a process for this. You are actually meant to pay for the work in full, and then claim it back through small claims court. If you withhold all or some of the payment it can affect your claim.

So was the first "tiler" actually a "builder" then and not a tiler at all?

[L1bel]

A tiler may be able to get a better discount for you on Original Style tiles, there are hundreds of stores across the UK that deal with Original Style, including Topps Tiles. And the tile shops do get the tiles at a decent rate to be fair. Having said that, as a Tiler I'd never give my discount, or split it 50/50. But that was just me.

I'd also say you should claim costs back from the builder. Though there is a process for this. You are actually meant to pay for the work in full, and then claim it back through small claims court. If you withhold all or some of the payment it can affect your claim.

So was the first "tiler" actually a "builder" then and not a tiler at all?

Thanks for that, Dan.

I'll certainly ask my tiler to try and get a discount.

Re the costs - I paid for 66% of the job in the initial stages which included payments for the bathroom suite, kitchen wortop and sink which he bought. I terminated his services over the weekend and am loathe to pay the remainder given that the rectification costs and purchase of new tiles will far exceed the balance.

Well, it seems so. I have his website but not sure I should name and shame here!

[Dan]

Nah, don't name and shame here. It's not cool.

If it was staged payments then perhaps it's classed as you paying in full up to the termination of the job.

Do as GirlRacerRed says, that's spot on advice that is. Small claims will do everything they can and that moneyclaimonline thing just makes the whole process easier.

[Scott]

Another lash up!

Sorry to hear of your poor tiling. Where abouts are you based?

[mikethetile]

Another lash up!

Sorry to hear of your poor tiling. Where abouts are you based?

eastend of London, Aldgate E1

easy trip down on the train for someone to do a report

[L1bel]

eastend of London, Aldgate E1

easy trip down on the train for someone to do a report

Thanks, Dan!

I'm on the Aldagte East end of Commercial Road.

[Scott]

Did i miss that in the thread?

[L1bel]

Did i miss that in the thread?

No no, I posted a job in the new job section which is where Dan saw it!

[mikethetile]

I know commercial rd well Libel

I was born in bethnal green and lived in russia lane then we moved to east india dock rd Bow and then out of town to wood green rd in Haringay before moving out to Luton

is it still a lively place to live

[Scott]

Phew i read back and thought i was losing the plot

[L1bel]

I know commercial rd well Libel

I was born in bethnal green and lived in russia lane then we moved to east india dock rd Bow and then out of town to wood green rd in Haringay before moving out to Luton

is it still a lively place to live

Very lively, especially if the sirens are anything to go by!

[mikethetile]

Very lively, especially if the sirens are anything to go by!

nothing changes then

[Pebbs]

Libel,
What is so bad about the works? do you have any photographs?

Pebbs

[L1bel]

Libel,
What is so bad about the works? do you have any photographs?

Pebbs

Lots of areas of mis-alignment, unevenness and lipping. Will try to upload some photos when I get home to illustrate the issues.

[L1bel]

Any thoughts on how difficult "Dunlop wall tile adhesive (ready mixed)" will be to remove from tiles, please?

[Dan]

He's used a tubbed adhesive on porcelain?

[mikethetile]

Any thoughts on how difficult "Dunlop wall tile adhesive (ready mixed)" will be to remove from tiles, please?

no problem what so ever

so thats the first favour hes done you