Did you have your backsplash installed AFTER the faucet was in?

16 years ago

Because of scheduling - I seem to have a conflict with the woman we were going to hire to put in our backsplash.

Our plumber is coming next Friday to install the sink, fixtures, etc. The following Friday, we scheduled to have the backsplash installed. Now the tile lady says that she can't install the backsplash if the fixtures are in. She says it's too tight for her to get back behind it, plus she doesn't want to be "liable" if she gets stuff on the fixtures and ruins them. She wants the plumber to come back (another trip) to install the faucet after she's done. Meanwhile, that would mean another week until we'd have a functioning sink and faucet in our kitchen.

Mind you, our sink base is popped out about 4-5 inches further than the rest of the perimeter base cabinets. Our GC says that she'll have a "solid 4 inches" behind the faucet to get in there.

We're getting a very simple backsplash - it's a mosaic that has random sized tiles on a sheet. I would think that there would be plenty of room for her to get behind the faucet. And I would certainly think that she would be covering my brand new granite and fixtures anyway.

She already placed the tile order - so I told her whether or not she ends up doing it, I will pay for the tile.

I would normally just find another tile person, but she's an acquaintance/friend - not a close friend, put a part of a social group that I belong to.

Have any of your had your backsplash installed AFTER the fixtures were in? Did your tile person complain about it, and talk about liability, etc?

This all strikes me as a little odd...

I am right to think that she's being unreasonable?

Thanks all!

---Boxie

Featured Answer

boxiebabe
Original Author

16 years ago

Thanks all for the replies. You've confirmed what I believed to be true. I thought that she might be being a little "dramatic" over this, but wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. If she's this way and we haven't even started - I thnk that writing is on the wall for the direction we need to head. Friend or not.

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Comments (12)

bill_vincent
16 years ago
I've done it either way, but I will agree insofaras it's much easier to install the backsplash before the fixtures go in. Just let her know that if she's not interested in the job that you can find someone else who is. This is an inconvenience, but it's not a big deal, and for her to MAKE it a big deal, IMO, is a little juvenile.
teched
16 years ago
My DH did our backsplash in our last kitchen long after the faucet was in (like 6 months). It was DIY and it was his very first tile job after taking a class through our county's adult ed program. He sure didn't complain about the fixtures being in the way. I would think a pro would have more finesse.

In our current remodel, the GC said to wait a few months to determine what we want before hiring someone to do the tile (unless DH gets itchy to do it himself again).
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PRO
Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
16 years ago
It's always "nice" to have the extra space to work with, but as Bill said....ain't no big deal. I've done lots of 'em...both with and without the fixtures in place.
gfiliberto
16 years ago
I had my backsplash installed 8 months after my new kitchen was completed. It was no problem at all, and it was never mentioned by my tile guy.
User
16 years ago
It seems to me that most people do the backsplash WAY after they have the new functioning kitchen. (indecision, living with the new kitchen to help decide what they want etc etc are all reasons I have heard). I will certainly be doing my backsplash after the faucet and sink and countertops are done.
Sheesh I thought it was "normal". Nice to hear Bill's opinion on this to get a handle on it.
sharon_s
16 years ago
Gosh, my backsplash went in a year after the faucet, and my contractor never said a word. I have a farm sink, so my faucet is set away from the wall, like yours.

I can't imagine why she is complaining.

Good luck!
glad
16 years ago
i had the luxury of flexibility so waietd on the fixtures to make it easier for tiling. but it would hardly have been impossible to do a good job if the faucet was there.
HU-607927673
21 days ago
it is indistry standard for tile to be completed befofe sink/faucet and appliances. makes it way easier and tile should run behind stoves/etc as well not up to them. The limited space behind faucet does make the job a bit harder. just ensire faucet and sink arencovered with plastic and move any aploances tile is going behind out fo the way. and most importantly dont call someone ”dramatic” just because they are a female and trying to do the job correctly and as well as possinble. simply let her know that in this case it has to happen after and that you appreocate working with that schedule to keep things moving along on schedule.
HU-607927673
21 days ago
tile first is industry standard. its much simpler for the installer and keeps your new sink and faucet flawless. make sure both are covered in plastic while still giving room to get caulking gun in for silicone,etc

appliances have tile behind them not up to them so also need to be moved out. thats why normally it happens first. then final plumbing/electrical and appliances. especially of its gas stove tht will be a plumber visit all at the end anyways.

Most importantly dont call her ”dramatic” because she wants to do the job right and happens to be female.

Do let her know that in rhis case the faicet will already be in as well as sink and that you appreciate ger working woth that and taking the extra time to protect your things and do tile/grout and silicone then a final clean up around faucet that sits closely
Cookie Montgomery
21 days ago
You are replying to a post from SIXTEEN YEARS AGO!
HU-607927673
21 days ago
Haha still relevant

Did you have your backsplash installed AFTER the faucet was in?

boxiebabe
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bill_vincent

teched

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Did you have your backsplash installed AFTER the faucet was in?

boxiebabeOriginal Author

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boxiebabe
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