Bad tiling job - what to do - Tile Advice

[Dwillie123]

I've just had a new kitchen installed and the company has done a great job on everything except the tiling. There are multiple areas of fault including ; unfinished edges under cabinets, chipped/badly cut tiles, inconsistent grout gaps and bad trim edges.
I chose white metro tiles and black grout and appreciate that this could have made the job harder plus a portion of my window area isn't the flushest of walls but I still feel that the tiling is not acceptable. I'm on good terms with the guys and would hope I can either get them to fix it or if not I'm happy to get a tiler in.
My main question is will there be a lot of damage if I get someone to basicly take the tiles off and start again. Personally I think this would be the best way to deal with it and I'd be much happier doing that and am prepared for that but I obviously don't want to ruin my nice new kitchen.
Any thoughts/advice desperately needed??

 

[John Benton]

Pictures would definitely help to evaluate the quality of the tile installation if possible

 

[Qwerty]

A common problem we are seeing time and time again.

Do you have any photos of it please?

Do you know what adhesive and grout was used?

Are the walls stud or solid?

 

[One Day]

any photos?!

it shouldn't be too hard to remove and re-do, without damaging the kitchen.
I probably speak for most though when i say that i would politely decline black grout with metros.
uneven tiles like metros will create uneven joints, and the huge contrast with black grout makes it even worse.
Not to mention the staining on any unglazed edges...

 

[Dwillie123]

It's at my new property which I haven't moved into so I can't get photos until tomorrow

Not sure think the grout was standard topps tiles in black and again unsure on the adhesive sorry again can check it all tomorrow.

Walls are plasterboard dot and dabbed, which were plaster skimmed before kitchen install

 

[Dwillie123]

Ok I'm open to compromise/change but I like the look of the black grout with white tile. If I redid it with a flush white tile would that be any easier or should I just stear clear of black grout all together

 

[One Day]

Ok I'm open to compromise/change but I like the look of the black grout with white tile. If I redid it with a flush white tile would that be any easier or should I just stear clear of black grout all together

if you want really crisp lines as you should, your tiler needs rectified tiles, not pressed ones with rounded, uneven edges like metros.
It is of course possible to make a nice job using metros and black grout, but requires HUGE effort and time. Both of which cost money better, and easier spent on better tiles in my opinion.

 

[One Day]

I'm kind of defending the tiler here, but I appreciate he's likely done an appalling job!

 

[Dwillie123]

if you want really crisp lines as you should, your tiler needs rectified tiles, not pressed ones with rounded, uneven edges like metros.
It is of course possible to make a nice job using metros and black grout, but requires HUGE effort and time. Both of which cost money better, and easier spent on better tiles in my opinion.

So if I went for something simple i.e a plain white rectangular tile that would be easier for the tiler to get my desired finish?

 

[One Day]

So if I went for something simple i.e a plain white rectangular tile that would be easier for the tiler to get my desired finish?

definitely. go for something with clean sharp edges and try to get a 'rectified' tile. that means they will be consistently sized.

 

[Tommythetiler80]

Morning, I do hope you get your problem resolved in a satisfactory manor. Being a tiler myself I can definitely say that when a customer says that they'd like to have black grout it can just challenge even the most patient of tradesmen, not to mention it can wreck your tools , buckets and sponges! And even surrounding areas so great care must be taken to avoid unnecessary staining from the black pigment in the grout.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Think we need pictures before making the black grout the main issue.

Walls were new dot & dabbed plasterboard, so I'd assume a good enough flat surface was there to start with..

 

[Dwillie123]

 

[Dwillie123]

These are some of the pics hope this helps

 

[Time's Ran Out]

From your first post I get the impression the tiling was done by the kitchen company and NOT a tiler (as you suggested getting a Tiler in to rectify).
Your photos indeed confirm this as that is totally unacceptable workmanship.
No one with pride would leave such a mess both in the standard of tiling and the 'clean up' or not as in this case.
It will most likely be tubbed adhesive and so all off and start again with the kitchen company providing all costs would be my recommendation.
Stand by for the onslaught!