Compensation for a Poor Tiling Job in Kitchen?

Associate
Joined
17 Mar 2015
Posts
26
4 Years ago we had the kitchen extended and due to substandard ground work (suspended floor, poor tiling, incorrect materials used), we have had to have our kitchen floor completely taken out and done a fresh.

We have a kitchen of around 40sqm2 surface space.

The new floor consists of concrete, insulation blocks, wet underfloor pipes, screed and our new rectified porceline tiles (tiles alone cost us £1500).

The company we appointed for the renovaton of our kitchen along with the kitchen floor this time around were aware of our previous issues and therefore gave us a lot of reassurances/gurantees and proimised they would get this right for us.

When the screed finally went down, ready for the tiling, it was obvious the floor was not level.
The contract we had mentioned we should have had a decoupling membrane put down prior to tiling.

When the tiler started the job, no membrane was put down initally and the builders on the previous day forgot to trun off the underfloor heating, so the floor was very hot when he laid 15 tiles down (these tiles were lifted and relaid the next day).
That evening we inspected the work and sraight away identified -
1. The floor was uneven
2. The tiles were unevenly laid (lips and grout lines)
3. The tiles had hollow sounds in them ( as he was not back buttering them)
4. The height of the floor was higher then our passage and therefore they needed to use a threshhold big enough and at an angle to get away with the small step into the kitchen (I specifically asked for no steps into our ktichen).

The tiler/PM was notified about the issues and while they put a membrane down and some SLC, the completed tiled floor still has the same issues.
Most of the floor runs at a 3mm-4mm gradiant...
There are also many chips on the tiles (16 tiles) as when he kicked off the leveling clips, they created small chips in the tiles...

Due to these issues, initally the PM wanted to part ways without acknowldging the issues and he thought we was simply making a meal of things.
Since he has now visited the site, he has seen the issues and has sent us an email to compensate us £800 plus removing/replacing the tiles that have noticeable uneven lippage and grout lines (Is this posisble without damaging other tiles and the membrane?).
Do you all think this a good form of compensation?

We would request the whole floor gets redone but unfortunately our new kitchen is due to be fitted in by the kitchen company next week and we cannot have any more delays...
 
Take the money.

I will say to you what I say to anyone else. Never go with the cheapest quote. They're cheap for a reason. I always aim to get 5 quotes if I'm not using my normal builder, with the intention of choosing the second/third highest quote.

I'm fairly rigorous when it comes to sounding out trade now after being stung by cowboys (lots of cowboys here). What they drive (ie some beaten up old transit is a big no no), how they dress, how they speak, any signs of intelligence, they're written communication etc etc if someone wants 200-300 a day off me, they best not be an illiterate moron.
 
Take the money.

I will say to you what I say to anyone else. Never go with the cheapest quote. They're cheap for a reason. I always aim to get 5 quotes if I'm not using my normal builder, with the intention of choosing the second/third highest quote.

I'm fairly rigorous when it comes to sounding out trade now after being stung by cowboys (lots of cowboys here). What they drive (ie some beaten up old transit is a big no no), how they dress, how they speak, any signs of intelligence, they're written communication etc etc if someone wants 200-300 a day off me, they best not be an illiterate moron.

They were actually the 2nd to the highest quote we got ou fo 6 companies whilst they also had all the backings from FMB, Trust Mark, IBZ and over 4 references.
Suprisingly they have a very good reputation online as well, employ a good sales person/surveyor to entice the customer and the PM generally was very good as well (until these issues arrised).
They even have a customised van with their company name and recognised approval boards...
 
Ask for more money all initial offers are low ball hoping you will just accept. Don't expect them to fix the problem the story to date clearly indicates they can't!
 
tiles alone cost £1500?

should have just stuck wooden flooring down tbh. tiles always break or chip I find.

Depends what you're putting down and how to be honest. Properly done porcelain could take a full heavy pot and be fine.

Dot and dab it... Bang. Tile gone.
 
I'd want the job to be as perfect as I'd asked it to be. So compensation should cover the cost of the broken tiles and any labour involved to rectify the issues. Basically so you aren't out of pocket at all and someone can come in and fix their screw up.
 
Have you paid them?

I imagine you want over £800 so just ask for more? I guess they have you by the danglies if you've paid. No chance they'll break out the floor if the UFH is laid..
 
23k but this included kitchen, UFH, some new rads, moving boiler to a new location (few feet away from original location to allow us to create a utility room), new lights, new front elevation windows

and they offered £800 refund? lmao.

i'd speak to their manager about the possibility of them getting someone else in to fix the mess left as well as £2500 compensation for all the hassle. otherwise i'd ask for £5K for all the hassle and tiles.

go in high
 
and they offered £800 refund? lmao.

i'd speak to their manager about the possibility of them getting someone else in to fix the mess left as well as £2500 compensation for all the hassle. otherwise i'd ask for £5K for all the hassle and tiles.

go in high

This really tbh. They've bodged it, **** happens but it's not about the mistake, it's about the follow up. Aim 10% refund on the whole job and get the tiles replaced so it's perfect, as it should have been first time around
 
Back
Top Bottom