Awful flooring job, can I take him to court?

[cocodrillo]

We had a floor laid by our builder who said he could do it. We supplied very expensive limestone tiles which he's made a really bad job of (see photos). There are uneven gaps on every tile, even though he claimed to be using 5mm spacers, the level of each tile is different, he's even laid on small tile upside-down and the tile nearest the step has so many gaps in the adhesive bed that I can slide a kitchen knife under it. To cut a long story short: we have suggested to him that he's made a bad job and he should pay for the materials including tiles, grout and adhesive and also his fitting fee, to which he's said no and that he's done the work to the best of his ability. I think I should take him to court as he won't budge and we are getting nowhere. I haven't mentioned the fact that the tiles are cracking due to underfloor heating, he's blaming me for not supplying him with an anti fracture mat, but that's another sorry story altogether.
Thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[noseall]

That floor is not very clever.

Also you have the kind of tiles that demand a greater degree of care than say one that is riven for example. This should be reflected in the fitting price.

Few floor finishes are perfect so any tile layer will end up with a tile dipping, but you lift it and put more adhesive underneath. Job done. Alternatively if the floor finish is poor you would then lay a floor levelling compound to rectify, but at an added cost.

There is no excuse for poor joint spacing as floor tiles are relatively simple to space unlike wall tiles that have to deal with gravity.

I can't help feeling though there is more to this story than a bad builder......

P.S. who supplied the materials?

 

[mointainwalker]

You can of course take him to court, but it might be a lottery as to the judge.

If he/she has never done any DIY, then they would have great difficulty in passing judgement on the quality of delivered work.

Since it seems these were expensive tiles, possibly worth checking out the cost of getting an independent report from a "specialist"

P.S. Gaps under the tiles appalling, both for cracking and inefficiency with UFH.

 

[gregers]

cracking job there gromitt.

 

[Richard C]

That is a total joke; a less than competent DIYer could not have made a worse job of it, I hope his building work is better than his tiling . It would not pass any measurable standard for what is reasonable let alone BS standards for tiling; uneven gaps, excessive lippage & floor tiles must always be laid on a solid adhesive bed or point loads will crack them.

Why do you say the tiles are cracking due to the UFH, more likely due to the air voids under the tiles, I doubt an anti fracture mat would have made any difference; what sort of UFH do you have?

You'd have done better to post in Tiling rahter than floors, stairs & lofts; Ive asked mods to move it for you.

 

[stevethespreader]

Thoughts greatly appreciated.

shocking

 

[cocodrillo]

That floor is not very clever.

Also you have the kind of tiles that demand a greater degree of care than say one that is riven for example. This should be reflected in the fitting price.

Few floor finishes are perfect so any tile layer will end up with a tile dipping, but you lift it and put more adhesive underneath. Job done. Alternatively if the floor finish is poor you would then lay a floor levelling compound to rectify, but at an added cost.

There is no excuse for poor joint spacing as floor tiles are relatively simple to space unlike wall tiles that have to deal with gravity.

I can't help feeling though there is more to this story than a bad builder......




P.S. who supplied the materials?

Not sure what you mean by there being more to the story? Tiles, flexible adhesive and grout were supplied by a very reputable stone flooring company.

Read more: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1943230#1943230#ixzz1Hp3oRzfi

 

[cocodrillo]

That is a total joke; a less than competent DIYer could not have made a worse job of it, I hope his building work is better than his tiling . It would not pass any measurable standard for what is reasonable let alone BS standards for tiling; uneven gaps, excessive lippage & floor tiles must always be laid on a solid adhesive bed or point loads will crack them.

Why do you say the tiles are cracking due to the UFH, more likely due to the air voids under the tiles, I doubt an anti fracture mat would have made any difference; what sort of UFH do you have?

You'd have done better to post in Tiling rahter than floors, stairs & lofts; Ive asked mods to move it for you.

Its hot water ufh

 

[noseall]

What i meant was did you supply the materials or did the builder?

Just read the post properly and it seems you supplied the tiles. Did you supply the adhesive too?

 

[noseall]

Why wasn't the skirting removed prior to fitting the tiles?

 

[cocodrillo]

What i meant was did you supply the materials or did the builder?

Just read the post properly and it seems you supplied the tiles. Did you supply the adhesive too?

Yes , we sourced all of the tiles and the builder asked us to supply grout & flexible adhesive.

 

[cocodrillo]

Why wasn't the skirting removed prior to fitting the tiles?

Because he couldn't be bothered

 

[tictic]

you will need to get a indepedant report done from another tile fixer or a member off the TTA..

they will give you a detailed report as to the faults/workmanship etc..and give you advice it what needs doing..(rip it up start again imo)..

this report will cost you a good few pounds tho..

then you can then take the builder to the small claims court..for damages etc..

the tile fixer that gives you the report tho...cannot be the person you employ to do any works needing doing tho...conflict of interests etc..

p.s..
that work you have there is a complete shambles mate..

 

[cocodrillo]

you will need to get a indepedant report done from another tile fixer or a member off the TTA..

they will give you a detailed report as to the faults/workmanship etc..and give you advice it what needs doing..(rip it up start again imo)..

this report will cost you a good few pounds tho..

then you can then take the builder to the small claims court..for damages etc..

the tile fixer that gives you the report tho...cannot be the person you employ to do any works needing doing tho...conflict of interests etc..

p.s..
that work you have there is a complete shambles mate..

Thanks for the advice, it is a total shambles and we are talking more than a couple of grand to have it ripped up and replaced. What's the TTA? Sorry for the ignorance! cheers

Found it (the tile association)

 

[tictic]

no probs cocodrillo

let us know how you get on...

p.s..
you have spoken to the builder first tho..?? re:the floor tiling..

what has he said regarding...