Tiler ruined bathroom

lmj29

We had our bathroom fully tiled through a 'friend of a friend' and the job is a disaster.

Wrong adhesive used (porcelain tiles and used ceramic adhesive so they're nit jeopardy attached)
Tiles don't line up
Tiles loose
Tiles not flush to wall
Edging not flush and dangerous edges sticking out
I could go on

We asked another tiler (through a reputable company) to assess the job. He says it can't be patched up and all tiles need to come off. Effectively the job needs to be done again, from scratch plus removing all tiles currently on.
Particularly as wrong adhesive used meaning these tiles would come loose very soon!

Tiles cost £1000 and we will need to replace any that crack when removed.
We now need to pay to have tiles removed then pay for the original tiling to be done again.

The original tiler also damaged out new toilet (I presume by dropping a tile on it) so we also need to buy another new toilet.

Where do we stand with getting money from the original tiler to compensate us for new toilet, new tiles, payment to remove tiles he put up and payment for job to be done again?

No formal quite or agreement us in place and we haven't paid him any money

Thank you

sjbrun

What happened when you pointed out to the origional tiler that all these things were wrong?

First you need to give the tiler chance to fix the problems at their cost,

Then you need to write him a letter givinng him so many days to sort out the problems,

Then you need to contact 3 other tilers for a quote to fix everything and write to the origional tiler with the cheapest quote and send a letter before action which states if he doesnt pay or sort it out you'll take it to court.

Then you take it to the small claims court.

societys_child

This "friend of a friend" is he actually in business as a tiler, or handyman, or something . . .?

What I mean is, is he a trade or just a mates mate who offered to do it?

lmj29

Thank you for your replies.

We initially met with the tiler and pointed out what was wrong. He came back the next day, took off the floor tiles which didn't line up and took off some of the worst looking tiles that weren't flush and he redid these, paying for the new tiles he needed following damage.

He then left us a message saying he was finished and wanted payment transferring.

This was the day he chipped a large piece off the toilet too.

Although he had retiled those parts there were still problems with the edging, grouting, wonky tiles and other tiles not flush. Plus he'd left everything coveted in grout.

It was then we decided to get another professional opinion.

He also hard boarded the floor and has apparently used 4mm when it should be 12mm or the tiles will eventually crack.

He does work as a tiler but think he is a joiner firstly.

sjbrun

lmj29 wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

We initially met with the tiler and pointed out what was wrong. He came back the next day, took off the floor tiles which didn't line up and took off some of the worst looking tiles that weren't flush and he redid these, paying for the new tiles he needed following damage.

He then left us a message saying he was finished and wanted payment transferring.

This was the day he chipped a large piece off the toilet too.

Although he had retiled those parts there were still problems with the edging, grouting, wonky tiles and other tiles not flush. Plus he'd left everything coveted in grout.

It was then we decided to get another professional opinion.

He also hard boarded the floor and has apparently used 4mm when it should be 12mm or the tiles will eventually crack.

He does work as a tiler but think he is a joiner firstly.

This could be a problem, if you do need to take it to court, they could ask why have you got a joiner doing your bathroom tiles? It looks like you got your mate to do it as mates rates and its not worked out.

If you need to take him to court it might affect your friendship, is your friendship with your mate who introduced him worth the cost of your bathroom?

ThumbRemote

sjbrun wrote: »

This could be a problem, if you do need to take it to court, they could ask why have you got a joiner doing your bathroom tiles? It looks like you got your mate to do it as mates rates and its not worked out.

Neither of these would be relevant to the court case. The joiner/tiler has agreed to do the work, and so needs to do it properly.

sjbrun wrote: »

If you need to take him to court it might affect your friendship, is your friendship with your mate who introduced him worth the cost of your bathroom?

On the other hand this is quite relevant.

lmj29

He works as both a joiner and a tiler professionally so that shouldn't be a problem hopefully.

Also he's more an acquaintance of a friend who was recommended so the relationship side of things wouldn't cause any problems either.

There were no mates rates so think that should hopefully make things easier.

We'll get a quote sent to him for the extra costs we'll incur and if he doesn't pay it seems we'll be going to small claims.

missile

lmj29 wrote: »

He works as both a joiner and a tiler professionally so that shouldn't be a problem hopefully.

Also he's more an acquaintance of a friend who was recommended so the relationship side of things wouldn't cause any problems either.

There were no mates rates so think that should hopefully make things easier.

We'll get a quote sent to him for the extra costs we'll incur and if he doesn't pay it seems we'll be going to small claims.

Seems like your only redress. I hope you have taken photos. A written statement from your new tile fitter would help prove your case. Good luck

C_Mababejive

We still dont know how you came to engage this person? Was it from a bona fide advertisement? did he provide a written quote and an invoice? how did you pay him?

GreatBeyond

If it got to court is there anything preventing him saying that he isn't a tiler and was doing this as a favour and you know he wasn't a tiler before taking the job?

I'm really not sure if that would make a difference but if you can find anything advertising his services as a tiler it might be a good idea to keep hold of them (I don't actually know if that argument from them would impact their liability so not saying that at all, just it wouldn't hurt to have the proof that this is their profession)

paulsad

He's no joiner nor is he a tiler ... he wears stirrups.
The flooring you describe is a massive cheapskate bound to go wrong in a few days bodge.
Sounds like he doesn't even know how to apply the adhesive to a a wall so he's buttered the tiles instead.
A decent handyman would have done a better job.
I'd have watched his preparation - early stages and then kicked his sorry ar*e out of the door.
I know its no consolation but calling him a joiner/tiler is not what I would call him.
You need to see past jobs not take the word of a friend of a friend.