Master Bath Reno - update: essentially the end! (Finally)

[winecat]

Nov 23, 2019 15:59:56 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Nov 23, 2019 15:05:59 GMT -5 winecat said:

k3am - It's hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like you can still see some of the "north/south" seams which makes me think it is an installation issue? For the two inch section on the bottom, it doesn't look like they lined it up so that the pattern follows the same way all the way down.

I zoomed in and I think it’s just that there’s no straight lines on the tile themselves. Given that, I don’t think there’s any way the seam wouldn’t stand out.

That makes sense.  If there are no straight lines but they had to cut or somehow force a straight line to get the 2 inch gap filled, it won't look right.  blergh.

[k3am]

images.app.goo.gl/jEmcCcsiYoHLjj4D6

It can be installed without visible seams. Even our designer and tile shop agree. The guy just did a terrible job. No one would buy a deco tile that wouldn’t work placed next to another of itself.

[dr.girlfriend]

Nov 24, 2019 12:45:38 GMT -5 k3am said:

images.app.goo.gl/jEmcCcsiYoHLjj4D6

It can be installed without visible seams. Even our designer and tile shop agree. The guy just did a terrible job. No one would buy a deco tile that wouldn’t work placed next to another of itself.

This is so puzzling to me.  Do the tiles themselves have an irregular edge and they cut a straight edge onto it?  This photo is on their website, and I definitely see some seams but not others (the vertical seam between the two middle tiles)...maybe like a previous poster said there's specific edges that need to go together?

[k3am]

dr.girlfriend it definitely takes some finessing, but before they installed, the designer played around with them and you can definitely do it without a super obvious seam.

From what DH was able to figure out talking to the guy last week, he hasn’t been working with this company for long (we may be his first project with them) and my guess is he’s never worked with a similar tile before.

We asked them before it went up (when he mentioned it might be an issue) and before it was grouted it we needed to pick another tile, and the designer was adamant, that NO, this would DEFINITELY work. She said he may need to pull of and glue on some pieces to make it look right, but he didn’t even attempt to.

I think it’s one of those things that’s more artistry than perfectly aligned right angles and he wasn’t able to do it. To give him credit, he raised his hand early, so I’m kind of annoyed that the company didn’t either use someone who COULD do it or have us pick out another tile.

We had a close contender that would have worked. It doesn’t match as well, but I actually liked it better... but apparently DH doesn’t love hexagons. Who knew.

[k3am]

Although I will say from looking at the hexagon tiles.. you can’t just but those up right against each other either and call it a day, otherwise the hexagons against the seam would be cut in half. They’d need to adjust the ends on those also. I’m not sure why he wouldn’t expect to have to do the same on the tile we chose???

[hbomdiggity]

I’m sorry. While this is something you will notice more than others, I do think it’s a poor install.

They should have staggered the sheets so there wouldn’t be a long seam to catch the eye and they should have also taken some loose pieces to place in the seam.

[Accountingcat]

k3am, that is a poor tile install. I actually think the tile seams could be fixed without removing all of it. You need to find a master tiler that could chisel out and replace a couple of sections.

[k3am]

Accountingcat, they're going to attempt to do that on a couple sections and see how it looks. I told them if they can make it work, great, if not move onto the second choice tile and don't waste anymore time on it. They don't really like the second option (I'm sure because it's more work) so hopefully it all works out. My guess is we don't see much movement one way or another before next week.

[k3am]

And the replacement medicine cabinet looked okay at first glance, but the interior mirror is broken. Yay! Hopefully 3rd one is a charm?

[k3am]

Annnnnnd... the project manager is no longer our project manager. Not that he was doing any project managing.

The wrong outlets were installed in our hutch, they’ve pulled down some (but not all) of the poorly installed deco tile, and overall, I’m REALLY frustrated.

We knew we’d have some frustrations going with this firm - we did the last two times before, but we were happy with the end product. I’m honestly not sure if I blocked out just how bad it was or if it’s worse this time around.

[thejackpot]

I'm sorry, this seems way harder than it should be. Hope it all gets sorted out and done correctly (and soon).

[mrsukyankee]

This stinks k3am. I hope that the final product is fabulous.

[sandandsea]

Ugh. How annoying.

[bullygirl979]

Ugh, I'm sorry. I hope you get to a good resolution soon!

[dr.girlfriend]

Dec 3, 2019 21:59:28 GMT -5 k3am said:

Annnnnnd... the project manager is no longer our project manager. Not that he was doing any project managing.

The wrong outlets were installed in our hutch, they’ve pulled down some (but not all) of the poorly installed deco tile, and overall, I’m REALLY frustrated.

We knew we’d have some frustrations going with this firm - we did the last two times before, but we were happy with the end product. I’m honestly not sure if I blocked out just how bad it was or if it’s worse this time around.

Maybe it's like childbirth...once it's over you focus on the wonderful product and the horrible process fades away! :-D

[k3am]

dr.girlfriend, I am 100% convinced it was that way with our kitchen reno.

This project with them is kind of like being pregnant with DS was. Never getting pregnant again, and DH and I have discussed it, but we're probably never working with this company again (famous last words?). I love the kid at least, hopefully I like the project when it's done.

[winecat]

Jeez.

Come back and post here if you think about taking on a project with them again. I bet $1M GBCN that people here won't forget.

[k3am]

Some progress! They haven’t done anything on the tile yet, but the closet doors are installed. I mean we asked them to let us know when a good time for us to install the closet organizer was BEFORE the doors went up, but oh well. One of the billing milestones is closet door install through the house, so I’m guessing they just really want to get paid.

We are also now proud owners of a new electric panel.

So basically it’s redoing the deco tile, some touch up, the closet, and inspections and I’ll have my house to myself. Soon, hopefully!!

[k3am]

No work done yesterday.. apparently this happened earlier in the week...



A new sink is on order, and I’m not sure what will be necessary to replace the existing, but my guess is it won’t be simple because nothing is on this project. Le sigh.

[winecat]

k3am- What did they do to the poor sink? Did someone finish the installation after breaking the sink?

[k3am]

Dec 7, 2019 16:38:50 GMT -5 winecat said:

k3am- What did they do to the poor sink? Did someone finish the installation after breaking the sink?

From what I can gather, they were tightening a fitting and crack it went. I’m hopeful they don’t need to take the counters and hutch off to put the new one in. I honestly have no idea how it’s done.

[winecat]

k3am- I think they can, in normal circumstances, replace an undermount sink without taking everything apart. Hopefully that's the case for this sink.

[thatgirl2478]

wow, this one has been nothing but problematic for you guys! I love the direction you're going, I just hope you can actually GET there.

[mrsukyankee]

Ugh! I really hope that things start going your way!

[k3am]

Things are moving really slowly. They spent an entire day working yesterday and based on my camera feed, they parked in the street and spent most of the time moving equipment in one piece at a time. (Like.. one extension cord. Then one broom.) It seemed veeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrry inefficient.

Got home and from what I can tell, all they did was some clean up some wall patches and touchup paint. I'm not sure why they're bothering with touchup paint when they still need to tile and replace the sink, but what do I know?

They showed up again today and it looks like one guy is doing the repeat of the same thing (one item into the house at a time), and maaaaaaaaaaybe one guy is there doing the tiling. FX.

[k3am]

It’s not grouted yet, but I can already tell it’s going to look right! Finally!!!

[sandandsea]

That looks great!!!

[mrsukyankee]

That's so much better. Yay!!!

[Deleted]

Is that the same tile? It looks so much better!

[k3am]

Dec 11, 2019 8:17:57 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

Is that the same tile? It looks so much better!

Same exact tile. Apparently the manufacturer is literally down the street from the contractor so DH suggested they just stop by for installation instructions. I don’t know what they needed to differently, but it worked.