Direct tiles Warehouse - Faulty Tiles - Claim Issued

[kammx4]

Hi

i've an ongoing issue with a ceramic tile company and wondered is there a certain length of time that i can say these tiles are not fit for purpose.

 

Bought the tiles april 2018 laid two parts of a £40,000 kitchen project.

Last part completed in november 2018

 

discovered a fault in the manufacturing of the tiles that causes them to be defective and not fit for purpose.

Have been arguing and waiting on the tile company up until now.

 

Thanks for any advice.

[kammx4]

They were installed by a local company for a cost of £1750.

Bought from a supplier in Wales called DTW .

 

Total cost of the tiles are £2100 in total.

The issue is not visible to the naked eye when being inspected by the installer.

 

close up.pdf close_up_2.pdf

[kammx4]

They call themselves direct tile warehouse.

 

I bought the tiles in April 2018. Installed 3/4 of them and finished the installation in November 2018.

 

The problem in the pictures arose during the final grout process and is only noticeable at that time.

DTW are saying to me that because ive accepted the tiles they are not now to repair or replace and we can go to small claims court.

 

Ive sent a letter before action and a 2nd follow up letter with the same response.

I've 15 tiles left.

 

The cost to replace the defective tiles is close to £3000 pounds because of the nature of the work.

The pictures are a close up of the defective tile and the 2nd picture is the ecstatic view.

[kammx4]

Yes they raised some points in the first letter about not dating the LBA and addressing it to the manager who i've never dealt with and some questions about the tiles.

 

Initially they just offered to replace 6 tiles but on closer inspection and a close up picture that then said replace ALL defective tiles and issue us with new grout and adhesive and pay a £1000.

 

All without prejudice though.

Its 100% DTW wales. £3000 is the total cost to replace yes

 

. Many thanks.

[kammx4]

Quality of the tiles not noticeable until looked under a printers eye.

As stated 100%  the company in Wales.

[kammx4]

I didn't realise there was another company with the same name. An independent assessment, from the only company that does this work in the UK, of the tiles would cost between £2000 and £3000. I just need to know if the time frame of the failure of the tiles to now affects my rights as a consumer.

[kammx4]

I understand.

I've sent pictorial evidence and emails and phone calls to DTW since November 2018.

It took them 2 months to organise 3 types of cleaning liquid, sent from Spain, and instructions in English, but that's another story.

 

At first they offered to give me "in good faith" 6 tiles to replace the 6 worst tiles but no reimbursement for installation which would of been met by myself. After a close inspection of the tiles under the printer lens and forwarding that picture on to DTW they then offered " without prejudice " to replace the 15 tiles i have left over, and replace the now found 15 defective in total ,  with new grout and adhesive and a £1000.

 

But this doesn't cover the total amount to replace the 15 defective tiles.

I then sought advice from WHICH legal and they forwarded me the LBA to which i forwarded on to DTW.

[kammx4]

I've given them every opportunity to come and look and assess  the tiles at there own discretion and it was never taken up.

 

I've supplied them with three quotes at there bequest and told them of my actions to take this further on the 28/7/2019.

 

The letter was posted on the 4th of December.

1. Letter-Before-Action correct. pdf.pdf

[kammx4]

Happy to start proceedings.

Concerned about reports not prepared by an expert only a tile installer with 15 years experience

 

. I have 3 quotes to reinstate the defective tiles. 

[kammx4]

Sorry for the delay in replying but i work on the railways so a bit busy in the storm.

This will a private case.

 

Here is the letter of inspection.

 

Would you like to see all the correspondence so far?.

cammack 2.pdf

[kammx4]

Because the tiles are in two different locations one company did two quotes.

 

Most of the waiting has been on my part ie it took two and a half months to get there supplied cleaning liquids and instructions in english. 

 

Thanks for your help.

[kammx4]

DTW 100.pdf

[kammx4]

Yes i have it in writing the offer and and their solicitors final letter says that because i accepted delivery of the tiles that they will join issue with me in court.

[kammx4]

No they've been clever and always stated "without"

[kammx4]

Do you think that a report from a tile fitter would be classed as " expert" . The company I found actually are PhD dd's and chemists and would use proper electron microscopes to analize but at a massive cost. Thanks for your help. 

[kammx4]

I dont think DTW will want to use this company.

It costs between £2000 to £3000 for that report.

I get some more reports done by tile fixers. 

 

 

[kammx4]

Have you any sort of draft letter i could send when i get these reports done or should i send them to you for your perusal. When i spoke to the PHD professors one called back and asked if i have a the CE date for these tiles. Do you know what this is and should i write and ask DTW for this date sheet. Thanks.

[kammx4]

Had this report done today.

Positive and hope it covers everything.

I can edit if needed and he will sign when its ready

 

[kammx4]

Anything else you think he could put in. 

 

Ian pdf 3.pdf

[kammx4]

I have headed notepaper from his contractor.

Can i get the company in that has already done the first report to do a more detailed report.

[kammx4]

Thanks for your help.

[kammx4]

What do you mean by remedial work.

To start court proceedings?.

[kammx4]

Don't really have that kind of money at this time as i'm changing jobs right now.

As Arnie says "i'll be back"

[kammx4]

Just to double check with you what will i be looking for after sending the letters of to DTW.

Them to say we will settle the original quote of installation or the cost of replacing all the tiles which really we don't want to do because of the upheaval ?.

[kammx4]

Had these quotes and another report prepared today.

Thoughts please.

 

All can de on the companies letterheads and the other report is by one of the same companies that did the initial one.

 

cammack report pdf.pdf quote 1 pdf.pdf quote 2pdf.pdf