problem with tiles....
Discussion
Long story short....we have had a bathroom tiled with white ceramic tiles. Only now when its 95% finished have we noticed that some of the tiles are a little less white than others....tilers didnt notice, suppliers didnt ensure same batches supplied etc etc......
Now got argument with both parties as to who is going to fund cost of replacing - £500 - suppliers have agreed to replace tiles FOC and contribute to labour but not all of it...tilers say not their responsibility....
All I know is that it certainly isn't our responsibility/cost!!!!
Views??
Now got argument with both parties as to who is going to fund cost of replacing - £500 - suppliers have agreed to replace tiles FOC and contribute to labour but not all of it...tilers say not their responsibility....
All I know is that it certainly isn't our responsibility/cost!!!!
Views??
Tricky. You could argue that the suppliers should have sent the same batch, but no doubt they have a clause saying 'check batch numbers before fitting'. They've offered to send new tiles and contribute to the labour so that seems pretty generous to me.
The tilers should have checked that all tiles were from the same batch before fitting them, so seeing as they have new tiles to fit, I'd suggest they should re-tile for free. Perhaps they assumed you'd checked the tiles, but whose job was it? Did they originally quote for 'supply & fit' then you said 'no we'll save a bit and supply the tiles ourselves'? If the latter, I fear it's down to you.
The tilers should have checked that all tiles were from the same batch before fitting them, so seeing as they have new tiles to fit, I'd suggest they should re-tile for free. Perhaps they assumed you'd checked the tiles, but whose job was it? Did they originally quote for 'supply & fit' then you said 'no we'll save a bit and supply the tiles ourselves'? If the latter, I fear it's down to you.
When we bought our house, on the snagging list were cracked tiles, which the developer 'failed' to notice. They were able to take out the cracked tiles and replace. Would it be too much of a job in your instance to just remove the 'off' coloured ones and get a replacement to match?
Edited by SwanJack on Wednesday 6th May 14:04
This batch number thing can be a pain.
Set out to buy some tiles from B&Q a couple of weeks ago. Wanted 14 boxes of the same batch number. "Then you'd be better off with a fresh pallet and I can see that we have another palet in stock but they are in a high position on the racking. Can't get them now for health & Safety reasons but if you order then our 'night people' will get them down for you."
Phone call next day "Your tiles are ready" called same day but my order had been made up of mixed batch numbers. "We'll have to order them that'll be 2 weeks"
But I haven't got 2 weeks... "Then I'll try to find some in another store"
Later that week it was agreed that the only way forward was to order them.
"I'm sorry but the computer won't accept the order for more tiles when we already have so many showing in stock."
Eventually a Manager realised how rediculous this was and sussed that there was a new store opening at the weekend just a few miles away in Newport.
"All their stock will be fresh and their computer goes live on Thursday. I will hijack their stock then collect them in my car for you."
So well done and thanks 'The Manager' Not so clever the B&Q computer people.
Set out to buy some tiles from B&Q a couple of weeks ago. Wanted 14 boxes of the same batch number. "Then you'd be better off with a fresh pallet and I can see that we have another palet in stock but they are in a high position on the racking. Can't get them now for health & Safety reasons but if you order then our 'night people' will get them down for you."
Phone call next day "Your tiles are ready" called same day but my order had been made up of mixed batch numbers. "We'll have to order them that'll be 2 weeks"
But I haven't got 2 weeks... "Then I'll try to find some in another store"
Later that week it was agreed that the only way forward was to order them.
"I'm sorry but the computer won't accept the order for more tiles when we already have so many showing in stock."
Eventually a Manager realised how rediculous this was and sussed that there was a new store opening at the weekend just a few miles away in Newport.
"All their stock will be fresh and their computer goes live on Thursday. I will hijack their stock then collect them in my car for you."
So well done and thanks 'The Manager' Not so clever the B&Q computer people.
Thanks for the views...
Supplier is going to get rep out and then hopefully get them to contribute....
Tiles were always being supplied by us for fitting by tiler. Orders were placed by us, and tiler for original quantity and additions....no one mentioned different batch at time of ordering so assumption was made we were getting from their stock which therefore should be same batch..
What seems to have happened (but can't be proved) is a rogue box has been supplied in each delivery which is from a different batch....
On the face of it, yes the tiler should have noticed, but in all fairness it is not at all obvious until you look and only really visible under natural light....tile supplier has conceded this.
End of the day we just want it fixed asap so we can move back in....but do we "live with" the problem knowing that we will always notice them....??!!
Supplier is going to get rep out and then hopefully get them to contribute....
Tiles were always being supplied by us for fitting by tiler. Orders were placed by us, and tiler for original quantity and additions....no one mentioned different batch at time of ordering so assumption was made we were getting from their stock which therefore should be same batch..
What seems to have happened (but can't be proved) is a rogue box has been supplied in each delivery which is from a different batch....
On the face of it, yes the tiler should have noticed, but in all fairness it is not at all obvious until you look and only really visible under natural light....tile supplier has conceded this.
End of the day we just want it fixed asap so we can move back in....but do we "live with" the problem knowing that we will always notice them....??!!
V12Les said:
Totally the tilers problem. Weather supplied on not he should have opened all boxes and checked them.
Even if they looked ok in the box a good tiler would notice pretty damm quick after laying a few.
Imho the tiler is totaly free of blame here , the poor sod hasnt even supplied them .Even if they looked ok in the box a good tiler would notice pretty damm quick after laying a few.
Even the OP mentioned they hadnt noticed until 95% of the tiles were fixed
SwanJack said:
When we bought our house, on the snagging list were cracked tiles, which the developer 'failed' to notice. They were able to take out the cracked tiles and replace. Would it be too much of a job in your instance to just remove the 'off' coloured ones and get a replacement to match?
seems like the best way forwardEdited by SwanJack on Wednesday 6th May 14:04
jas xjr said:
SwanJack said:
When we bought our house, on the snagging list were cracked tiles, which the developer 'failed' to notice. They were able to take out the cracked tiles and replace. Would it be too much of a job in your instance to just remove the 'off' coloured ones and get a replacement to match?
seems like the best way forwardEdited by SwanJack on Wednesday 6th May 14:04
Interesting to read the split views on responsibilities - backs up both party's views !!
Frustration for us is that this is holding up other things like carpeting landing etc which need to be done for us to move back in..
Busamav said:
I always advise clients to resist the temptation to supply materials to a sub contractor , especially when peeps want to supply a boiler or a shower unit , its a disaster waiting to happen with split responsibility.
?????Not sure I see the relevance here with tiles....how many tilers can show you a comprehensive range of tiles from which to choose....??????
If I understand you correctly, you supplied the tiles to the tiler. Therefore, it's your fault. You should have checked the tiles before supplying the tiler with them. Although, if you said to the tiler that you didn't want any / little colour variation then they should have noticed a colour difference way before 95% completion and pointed it out to you. But again, as you supplied the tiles it's your fault
As long as you specified with the person/company that supplied you the tiles that they are to be from the same batch for colour matching purposes and they haven't done so, then they are responsible for giving you new tiles from the same batch.
As for the cost for replacement of the fixed tiles - labour, making good etc... - then any contribution from the other parties is a bonus and purely good will.
As long as you specified with the person/company that supplied you the tiles that they are to be from the same batch for colour matching purposes and they haven't done so, then they are responsible for giving you new tiles from the same batch.
As for the cost for replacement of the fixed tiles - labour, making good etc... - then any contribution from the other parties is a bonus and purely good will.
Edited by mk1fan on Friday 8th May 13:39
Tilers returned this week to finish off existing work and replace faulty tiles. Replacement tiles supplied to us FOC (tile importer's rep held up hands) and contribution being made to labour cost....
Just had call from tilers to say that they have found mixed white and off white tiles in all the boxes, plus some of them don't even have the ripple finish that is supposed to be a feature!!!
And these are supposed to be the same batch...........
Just had call from tilers to say that they have found mixed white and off white tiles in all the boxes, plus some of them don't even have the ripple finish that is supposed to be a feature!!!
And these are supposed to be the same batch...........
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