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How fussy should be with tile job?

14 years ago

I am on the tail end of a massive reno. Kitchen and 3 baths.

For the master bath I chose some fairly expensive marble tiles. I don't think the tile job is that great. The tiles were pre-set on mosaic sheets and I think it's obvious in some places where one sheet ends and another starts. Also, some of the edges in the shampoo cubbies seem kind of sloppy....

What is the obligation of the tile setter to me? How much of this should I make them re-do? The tiles and labour were expensive, I feel that it shouldn't look like a do it yourself tile job, it should look really professional. How much recourse do I have with these guys?

Thanks in advance for any advice, I don't want to be a crazy homeowner but I also expect a pretty high standard of craftsmanship!

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Comments (3)

bill_vincent
14 years ago
Can you show us some pictures of what you're talking about?
plumeriavine
14 years ago
Don't worry about being fussy. My tile laying people (I wouldn't call them tile setters) told me to my face that I was unreasonable. I should have fired them right then. Now, I am living with a hack job on expensive tile. Same thing about the mosaics - - I expected it to be installed in a certain way, you can tell where the sheets of 1 by 1 tiles were put up side by side and the one by one tiles weren't centered in the small installation space - - they said it couldn't be done, impossible. Totally ruined a very expensive glass tile mosaic backsplash in an alcove in 45 minutes flat. And my diamonds were not halved correctly - they were so sloppy. Disgusting. Don't tolerate incompetence. They grouted even when I was unhappy with the grout color. I could go on and on. . .

Here is an example of correctly halved diamonds on a backsplash.

{{gwi:1400477}}

Terrible quality photo - I need a better camera - - see how my diamonds were hacked. They change sizes from side to side as well.
{{gwi:1400478}}
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The start to answer this question is can we see the contract. Sometimes we are quick to point fingers and make comments without having all the evidence. Who made the selections?Who did the preparations to tiled surfaces? Who constructed the framing? What research was done by the customer to determine the selection and the professionals they selected? What was the primary factor for the selections. Was cost or budget a driving factor? Was the job rushed because of project deadlines? Where there problems and delays cause by suppliers and other people involved with the project? Before coming to a conclusion get the facts.
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The job really Includes shimming the walls square and plumb, installing the cement board or foam board, installing the correct waterproofing, protecting the tub below and adjacent jobsite. You’re looking at 3-5K for a professionally done job. That doesn’t include actual framing out of an alcove, any glass, or the plumbing portion behind the walls. That’s extra.. A shower would be roughly double. Or more, depending on size. You can find $500 hacks all day long that won’t do any of that and then you’ll be unhappy with the end visuals, plus have to redo it in short order when the rot and mold start being apparent.
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It's a good thing you didn't pay anything that puts you ahead of the game. In most situations homeowners pay a greater portion of the money, the contractor does crappy work and they never return if there is an issue. Tell her that she has 2 choices to make this right... #1 If she wants to get paid, tell her to send you a qualified tile contractor who knows what he is doing to tear out/ fix what needs to be fixed, at her expense and you will pay her the original price per contract. Or option #2 you will hire an independent and qualified tile contractor and use the money owed to pay for everything that needs to be fixed and done the right way because the work they did wasn't done to the industry standards.
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When counters and cabinets are not level, and you have choses an irregular handmade tile, nothing will line up. This is not an A+ install. It is very far from an F. Remove the grout at changes of planes, and caulk, and it will be a solid B.
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wintertime
Original Author
14 years ago
I will get some photos when I get home. My contractor is supposed to send me some but I don't have them yet.
I am really nervous about confronting them.
I want to reasonable but I also expect to get a professional job....
I will keep you posted.

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