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is this bad tiling work?

14K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  Double A 
#1 ·
Hi all, I'm knee deep into my first home improvement project completely redoing a bathroom. The room was completely gutted of the shower, toilet, flooring, sink, etc. and now the new shower tile is being installed.

I took some pictures of the tile work because it doesn't look like a very good job. To my untrained eyes, the cuts and tile positioning look sloppy.

I'd like to get other people's opinions before I really press the issue with the guys doing the work. Is this normal tile work and it will look better once grouted? I'm just being too critical or is this really shoddy work?

The pictures are up at http://speculation.org/garrick/bathroom/ but they don't entirely do it justice. Everything actually looks worse in person.

Thanks for any feedback!
 
#3 ·
I would agree with Dave, its really up to you. Doesn't sound like you are happy. If it were me, I think I'd be more inclined to complain based on what I was paying. If I had to guess to guess, I think that it would look good enough once grouted that I'd be happy if I got a good deal.
 
#4 ·
Dave has a good point. Talk to the tile setter. Posting ups pictures that are taken at floor level looking down a row of mosaic tiles is hardly fair to the tile setter.

The only time one would have that perspective is if you've taken a tumble in the bathroom.

If you're concerned about areas such as the curbing, think about what the next phase of the project on that curbing will be. There will be a shower enclosure on that curb, right? Will that hide or accentuate the problem you're seeing?

Good luck.
 
#6 ·
It is not perfect and there is room to improve... it will sure look better or much better after grouting... but somthing you can ask for fixing before grouting... rather than a full tile than a tiny tile at the front corner, should change to two a bit bigger than half size tiles.. it looks better and more symetric... the corner doesn't look square... you can ask for replacement... other than that... I personally don't think there is much wrong with the installation... well hope this message is not too late where you have already done grouting...
 
#7 ·
I agree with Kuiporng... those slivers on the v-cap are not acceptable...especially on the front of the curb where it will be noticeable. My eye went directly to it... Other than that it looks like a decent job. I have seen better and I have seen worse.
But in general I know how you feel...most of the time, in the past, when I have actually hired something out it looks just as good or slightly worse than if I did it myself. You expect a professional job...
I would definetly call him out on the curb v-caps...everything else, IMO, is neglegable.
If you are not happy though, you are the one that has to take a shower ther everyday and when you know you paid good money for something that looks, in your opinion, substandard, you gotta do something now...
 
#8 ·
we're getting much of the work redone

Thanks everyone for your input.

@Double A
That is a good point, but I was trying to actually show the defects. The problems are highly visible standing over the work, but won't show up in a picture unless you add the perspective. And even then, without a decent macro lens, the problems are still not as visible. Trust me when I say that the work looks much worse than the pictures.

We've decided to press the issue and much of the tile is being replaced.
 
#10 ·
The installer should have gone over the curb layout with you beforehand, if you left it up to him, then maybe talk to him and change it, looks like hell to me, lousy layout at the least and sharp corners.:no:


As for the floor, those tiles come on sheets and you get what they sell you, if not happy with the spacing, they shouldn't have been set and exchanged for something more uniform, the sheets should line up so that you can't tell where one ends and another starts though.:)


What I am trying to say is, all of this should have been discussed before it was set, I go over everything before I tile a job, if there's the slightest doubt about something, I stop and wait for the ok from the HO.:yes:
 
#11 ·
The last tile job that I did was done while the HO was on vacation for 2 weeks. I made the mistake of not being absolutely clear on all the minor details before they left. Sure enough, when they came back, this was wrong, and that had to be changed etc. Luckily you are there to catch any discrepencies early in the job. If it's any consolation, I don't think your installer is that bad, and if he makes the changes that you ask without making a fuss then you know he is a professional.
 
#13 ·
If I would have done that job, I'd be afraid that Dad would come up out of the grave and get me!

1st view, What's up with those little 'fill' pieces at the corner? If you don't have enough tile, split the difference so that the grout lines are symmetric and centered.

2nd view, grout lines suck, especially the detail/feature piece and RH bullnose.

The rest, mostly grout lines, is crude at best. The chipping may be ineviteble depending on what was used.

Mostly, I see a 'go-fast' job or someone unskilled in their trade. If someone did this job for me, I'd have to tear it out and start over and I have done that a few times.
 
#14 ·
we're starting over

We talked about it today with the workman. He feels pretty bad and said he was rushing it. We had some initial delays with the plumbing (not anyone's fault, just normal unexpected crap that happens with old pipes), and felt like he had to meet the original deadline.

I think that was my fault because I had mentioned something like, "It's too bad you lost several days of work." I think he took it as a threat or warning, but I was just making conversation!

So now all of the curb tile is ripped out and he is starting from scratch. Now we have a new understanding that I don't particularly care about deadlines and would rather he take it slow to do a good job.

He also admitted that the ugly chipping along the cuts on the green tile was because the saw blade was dull and he was too embarrassed (or too proud) to mention he needed money for a new blade.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. Otherwise I might have waiting because "it will look better with grout."
 
#15 ·
I didn't even notice the sliver pieces when I first looked. I missed the first pic entirely and only saw the exteme close up where I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be that way. I agree 100% that those definitely should have never been put in. There is PLENTY of room to split the difference in those tiles. Glad you are getting it resolved.
 
#16 ·
at least you had an understanding and sympathetic contractor. he could have easily gone "f*** you" and refused to redo the work. it's too bad he wasn't comfortable enough with you to talk about his concern he wouldnt meet the deadline before he did a rush job. i'm with you, i'd rather it take a few more days, and have it done right. it probably would have taken him the same amount of time to do it slow the first time as it will take him to do the rush job and now go back and fix it.
 
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