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Clay and Ceramics Fireplaces living room

Herringbone pattern messed up

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hey, got herringbone put around our fireplace and to the naked eye it looks great but there are some glaring errors in the pattern. Paid 400$ for labor and am not happy. Is this normal? What should I expect as compensation? Should I go directly to the contractor or to the flooring company who arranged it? Thanks

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Comments (10)

PRO
PRM Custom Builders
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Whoever hired the guy is who you go to. If your contractor hired your sub-contractor, you go to the contractor. And whomever did the tile job needs to fix it.
Kevin Richard thanked PRM Custom Builders
Nick
3 years ago
From a practical legal perspective you go to the person you paid, as that is whom your contract is with. Which I think is just another way of saying what PRM is telling you.
Kevin Richard thanked Nick
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Regarding what to tell him, point out the double tiles and how that messes up the pattern, and the need for a gap at the bottom as Joseph mentions. Those alone are reasons for a redo. FWIW when our tilers did a herringbone pattern in my mudroom, back hall, and powder room, there were two tilers and they used laser lights in two directions to make sure everything lined up properly. I wish I had taken pictures during install because I was impressed with the amount of planning and labor it took. We paid more for installation of a herringbone pattern, which we expected, and we were glad for their care and expertise. I imagine it would be even tougher on a wall. As others have said, this is a job for a pro tiler who has done this pattern before.
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PRO
PRM Custom Builders
3 years ago
Yes Nick. I should have clarified a bit more. Thanks!
Kevin Richard thanked PRM Custom Builders
Kevin Richard
Original Author
3 years ago
Ok so is it fair to say this job was not done correctly? Nobody but me and my girlfriend notice it but it is clearly not correct herrIngbone pattern. Thanks everyone
Nick
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@PRM Custom Builders, you were perfectly clear. I just saw your post when I was part way through mine.

@Kevin Richard, it took me a while to figure out what was wrong, but once you see it, you're not going to unnotice it. Perhaps it is correct and there's a reason it was done that way, but if I were you I'd at least want to know what the reason is.
PRO
PRM Custom Builders
3 years ago
I agree with Nick, and to further his suggestion, maybe ask the tile installer for their design plan and see if it matches.
Kevin Richard
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The reason is he didn’t have enough tiles, he already had to redo the job once cause he didn’t used spacers and all the tiles slid while they were setting, see photos. So he had to buy new tiles and clearly didn’t buy enough to do the job properly. I guess he was hoping i wouldn’t notice. Our contractor installed the wood trim around the herringbone so to redo the job all that would have to be removed as well.

@Nick

@PRM Custom Builders
PRO
PRM Custom Builders
3 years ago
I wish I had something else to offer. Talk to your contractor or tile person(if you hired them) and get a refund. I would not use them a 3rd time. If it was your contractor tell your contractor you will not accept the same person to do the work again. That is not unreasonable. Great space in your home though!
Nick
3 years ago
I would say that if the contractor has to remove the trim and it costs him, then he should recover that from the tiler. Frustrating as it is, I think they will have to redo it and you hope it's a case of third time lucky. You paid for a job and their incompetence shouldn't be part of the price you pay.
PRO
PRM Custom Builders
3 years ago
That is very true Nick. What a frustrating situation, sorry Kevin.

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