topic Re: What would you do? in Among Friends

What would you do?

patticakes — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:29:28 GMT

We're in the middle of a bathroom remodel and contractor had tile man lay tile and grouted on Fri. and left for the holiday. We couldn't walk on it until Sun. When we were able to enter the bathroom and walk on the floor we noticed severeral tiles significantly uneven and grout appeared to need more grout in some of the joints to look consistent. The ones that had less grout appeared darker because the grout was more sunken in. I mentioned it this am and asked the tile installer if he could add grout so that it would appear the same. I don't thiink he was very happy with me and now I think he is angry. What would you do? Was I wrong to mention this? We're paying a lot of money for the remodel.

Re: What would you do?

Sooner — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:34:32 GMT

You need to talk to the contractor. HE needs to deal with the tile person and make it right. Even if it has to be ripped up and redone.

I hope you have not paid up front for the work. . .

I am so so sorry this happened to you, and I know it is very upsetting and stressful! I hope you get things worked out!

Re: What would you do?

nana59 — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:37:01 GMT

sounds like poor workmanship...i would have definitely mentioned it....and expect it to be fixed....my son is going through a remodel....and i can't believe how many issues he's had with shoddy work....and his contractor was recommended to him.....disappointing that craftsmen think their mistakes are acceptable......they should have more pride in their work......

Re: What would you do?

Foxxee — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:38:14 GMT

He's angry??? You should be the one to be angry. This doesn't sound like professional workmanship or attitude if tiles and grout are uneven.

Don't pay him until the problems are fixed to your liking.

Re: What would you do?

candyagain — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:38:23 GMT

Withold payment until the adjustments are made and tell him civilly but firmly that that's the case. No fix no payment until its done.

In my experience all builders get angry......must be a tough job....in any case you're paying him -- not the other way around.

Don't use him again and don't refer him to anyone else. That's what I've done. I didn't give the builder a bad review just no referrals. Many exist on word of mouth.

Good luck with the project's completion. A remodel is tough.

Re: What would you do?

ValuSkr — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:42:46 GMT

I agree with @Sooner . The tile installer needs to be recalled. I had to do that once with a tile backsplash in the kitchen. The tiles were different shades of earth tones and should have been randomly placed, but the installer put many same shades right next to each other. It seems he knew how to install tile but didn't know how to do it artfully.

Re: What would you do?

rms1954 — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:43:17 GMT

@patticakes wrote:
We're in the middle of a bathroom remodel and contractor had tile man lay tile and grouted on Fri. and left for the holiday. We couldn't walk on it until Sun. When we were able to enter the bathroom and walk on the floor we noticed severeral tiles significantly uneven and grout appeared to need more grout in some of the joints to look consistent. The ones that had less grout appeared darker because the grout was more sunken in. I mentioned it this am and asked the tile installer if he could add grout so that it would appear the same. I don't thiink he was very happy with me and now I think he is angry. What would you do? Was I wrong to mention this? We're paying a lot of money for the remodel.

You paid good money and you're entitled to a perfect job. I had the same thing with backsplash in kitchen. It was obvious on one wall only. I called them and made them come back and fix it.

Re: What would you do?

decaf — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:45:32 GMT

Tile should be even, if not, in time they can easily chip. Also grout that's "added" is not as strong as the original grout work. The tile guy isn't good. It's time to have a sit down talk with the contactor, ask them to do the floor over, maybe using a different tile guy.

Re: What would you do?

AuntG — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:49:14 GMT

As long as you approached it in a pleasant way, no one should be angry with you. They should want to do a job you can be proud of.

Re: What would you do?

kaydee50 — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:51:25 GMT

You were not wrong to mention it. You are the customer and the customer is always right. Plus you're paying to have a job done to your satisfaction. Definitely talk to the contractor. He's the one who should assure you are satisfied with the work.

Re: What would you do?

stevieb — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:56:00 GMT

There are probably still some skilled craftsmen out there who take pride in a job well done, but there seem to be increasingly few. More and more it seems the industry is filled with folks that pick up a trade but are more or less unskilled. They want to get in and get out and aren't as particular as they should be about honestly earning their paycheck. As much as possible, I'd deal with the general contractor and let him take the word to those he's hired. If he isn't showing up regularly then that too is part of the problem. He should be inspecting the work performed by subcontractors he's hired.

Re: What would you do?

Janey2 — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:56:14 GMT

Deal with the contractor only. If unhappy tell him. Do not give him a penny until you feel the job is perfect.obviously this " tile installer "does not know how to lay tile.

Re: What would you do?

Sooner — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:18:29 GMT

And tell the contractor "The tiler did you a great disservice and I don't think you are going to be happy what the way this floor looks. What he did reflects poorly on you and you are going to be very unhappy when you see this mess."

Start there. . . save the "L" word (lawyer) for far later down the road.

Re: What would you do?

Jaspersmom — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:19:50 GMT

TAKE PICTURES AND WRITE AN ANECDOTAL RECORD OF EVERYTHING. You might need all that for a later date. It amazes me that someone who has done subpar work gets angry. To me it's a ploy to avoid having to have to fix a problem. If he intimidates you, he's hoping you back off. Hey, it's your money and you're in charge - NOT HIM. Yes, speak to the contractor asap. Sadly, even being nice and reasonable doesn't always work for a customer. You may have to play his game and be tough. I do hope you get the problem resolved right away and can avoid any further interactions with him.

Re: What would you do?

depglass — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:28:54 GMT

We had a house built 15 years ago and our builder NEVER got angry. Fortunately the plumber he recommended was top shelf, since the work was done when we were at old house 450 miles away. Same with all the other sub contractors.

Re: What would you do?

nana59 — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:36:08 GMT

@stevieb wrote:
There are probably still some skilled craftsmen out there who take pride in a job well done, but there seem to be increasingly few. More and more it seems the industry is filled with folks that pick up a trade but are more or less unskilled. They want to get in and get out and aren't as particular as they should be about honestly earning their paycheck. As much as possible, I'd deal with the general contractor and let him take the word to those he's hired. If he isn't showing up regularly then that too is part of the problem. He should be inspecting the work performed by subcontractors he's hired.

my dad was a skilled tile setter in the 50's....until his retirement.....was a very successful business owner.....with much pride in his work....

Re: What would you do?

Puppy Lips — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 18:13:09 GMT

If you don't mention it and get it done right, you will be mad at yourself and look at that spot everyday. Been there and done that.

Re: What would you do?

Meowingkitty — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 18:54:05 GMT

It's your money and your house. You have the right to want it done to your satisfaction. We recently added a room and the tile guy did a magnificent job.

Re: What would you do?

hckynutjohn — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 18:58:20 GMT

WWID?

@patticakes

Most people I contract for in, or outside home work, are people I know, or people they know and recommend to me. If I have an issue with something I see as done unsatisfactory to me?

Just as I have done everything else in my life I speak up. Do I care if it bothers them? No, I am paying them. I also never pay any contract-in-full, until it is completely finished, and to my satisfaction.

That not what I would do, that is what I have done and will consider to do so now and in the future. Hey! It's our money we are spending. Nuff said!

hckynut(john)🥅🏒

Re: What would you do?

Duckncover — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 20:20:45 GMT

Yes the contractor needs to tell the tile guy to fix it. We ran into similar issues when we remodeled a bathroom a couple of years ago. The installers basically work for the contractor and he should be overseeing the quality of their work.