Squint Tiles

ThisIsWeird

I can't offer any advice, but would just like to say it's refreshing to see such considered reasonableness and decency from both sides. Kudos to you and your builder.

I really hope - and would imagine that this would be the case - that by the time various things have been added, such as the hall radiator, possibly a side table, whatever, that you will stop noticing the 'error', and will just appreciate the overall beauty of the floor - 'cos it really is stunning.

Really really, folk don't look at floors the way one does when checking how it's been installed. It just becomes part of everything, the whole hallway.

DetailDave

Thank you @ThisIsWeird I really appreciate that, it makes me feel like I’ve definitely done the right thing. It would be the icing on the cake if they came back with a reduced price on the tiling 🤞 

ThisIsWeird

Yes, I think a discount is in order. 

stuart45

If the builder is prepared to rip it out and relay the tiles, then it's easier and cheaper for him to take a hit on the bill. I would tell him that to save him the expense you would be prepared to accept a discount, as in general you have been happy with his work. 

casper_gutman

I can see why the misalignment would rankle once noticed. That said, if I visited your home I would admire the stunning tiled floor and would be unlikely to notice an issue.

Well done for having a reasonable conversation with the builder. Based on my own experience of accepting and living with similar imperfections in work, I believe you will stop noticing the issue fairly quickly as opposed to it bugging you for years to come.

It is normal for tiles not to line up with any single wall due to walls being out of alignment, and unless I studied the whole thing carefully (as you have when inspecting the work) I doubt I'd notice that the issue here applied all round the hallway.

DRP

The tiles look great and the skew would be virtually unnoticeable with decoration, furniture, door mat and trainers chucked on the floor.

i d be more peeved about the chipped tiles so I would be more insistent about those being rectified (removed and replaced).

DetailDave

DRP said:

The tiles look great and the skew would be virtually unnoticeable with decoration, furniture, door mat and trainers chucked on the floor.

i d be more peeved about the chipped tiles so I would be more insistent about those being rectified (removed and replaced).

They are coming on Wednesday to remove the worst one or 2. Luckily I'm an artist and will be able to colour match the others. 10 chipped is excessive though (albeit very slight on most). The other half isn't bothered by them at all, but I find it very annoying (especially since we had ordered far too many that could have been used - now returned except 6 though).

DetailDave

Update #2 The chipped tiles cannot be replaced without putting the integrity of the rest of the floor in jeopardy. Because it’s all set (and with a specifically hard concrete type ‘glue’) smashing just one tile will send vibrations through the rest of the floor meaning others may come loose over time. I’m back to wanting it redone, other half says no, it’s fine, it’s madness to pull it up and redo and it will never be perfect anyway (I disagree, but don’t want to have constant arguments between us). The builder knows we’re upset, but had to rush off leaving his tiler to finish some other bits. 

Section62

DetailDave said:

Update #2 The chipped tiles cannot be replaced without putting the integrity of the rest of the floor in jeopardy. Because it’s all set (and with a specifically hard concrete type ‘glue’) smashing just one tile will send vibrations through the rest of the floor meaning others may come loose over time. I’m back to wanting it redone, other half says no, it’s fine, it’s madness to pull it up and redo and it will never be perfect anyway (I disagree, but don’t want to have constant arguments between us). The builder knows we’re upset, but had to rush off leaving his tiler to finish some other bits. 

I agree with your other half.  Unless you cover the tiles with a thick carpet they are going to get chipped fairly rapidly from day-to-day use.  Even if you achieve the perfection you seek, it won't last long.

Meanwhile, however happy and helpful the builder/tiler may seem, you are very likely using up your goodwill with them.

Personally - given you want them to do further work for you in the future - I'd reserve as much goodwill as possible in case there are bigger issues ahead.

DetailDave

Section62 said:

DetailDave said:

Update #2 The chipped tiles cannot be replaced without putting the integrity of the rest of the floor in jeopardy. Because it’s all set (and with a specifically hard concrete type ‘glue’) smashing just one tile will send vibrations through the rest of the floor meaning others may come loose over time. I’m back to wanting it redone, other half says no, it’s fine, it’s madness to pull it up and redo and it will never be perfect anyway (I disagree, but don’t want to have constant arguments between us). The builder knows we’re upset, but had to rush off leaving his tiler to finish some other bits. 

I agree with your other half.  Unless you cover the tiles with a thick carpet they are going to get chipped fairly rapidly from day-to-day use.  Even if you achieve the perfection you seek, it won't last long.

Meanwhile, however happy and helpful the builder/tiler may seem, you are very likely using up your goodwill with them.

Personally - given you want them to do further work for you in the future - I'd reserve as much goodwill as possible in case there are bigger issues ahead.

Surely at this point it’s not goodwill, but a desire to put right as best as possible a mistake made by them. Given that they would have replaced the whole hall, surely goodwill is what we are now giving them.