@Connie & melbourne_mum, I do feel so much for both of you and I too echo your sentiments Connie. If it were me, I would get this forum dilemma fixed, as I mentioned in my earlier post but as Midesign0401 has already mentioned, a solution is available to put all the problems behind melbourne_mum and that's good really. As for your plumber, Connie, it's not a great start with so much more to do before you get your reno completed, what with the builder, plasterer, painter etc... etc.... I would suggest to ask around the neighbourhood or even further afield, local supermarket or post office and see if others have had recent reno's and if they're happy with their respective tradies, then you could book them following a good report giving you a much better chance to be satisfied and more especially not screwed again!!! Best of luck to both you ladies. Cheers, Barbara

Hi Micshak, No, you're not argumentative at all - your frustrated and understandably angry about your experience and are coming from that place. I didn't say that there weren't minimums, I said that rectified tiles allowed finer than traditional grout lines. Happily for me, I've had a similar issue to Stacey and were fortune to have great building team who ensured that my problem was fixed as soon as I raised it with them and they covered fixing the issue and resulting damages from their pocket - it wasn't even a conversation topic - what I got was "absolutely, yeah, that needs to be fixed, no worries" - the difference between great people and the guy you sadly got. Your story almost bought me to tears but did bring home the advice I had from more experienced family members on personally checking license and trade affiliations such as HIA and checking the trades insurances as well as being on site every day and only paying when I was happy for the job. It goes to show - just because you're a good person, doesn't mean that everyone you meet is a good person. Know that I believe that poor tradesman and badly behaved tradesman who don't produce reasonable quality work should be publicly flogged and branded because of the heartbreak, stress and financial hardship they put people through. Stacey needs to be able to give the option of having the problem fixed and the tiler/builder the chance to regain his reputation before trying to fix things yourself - despite your horrible experience, most are tradies are hardworking good people and want to do great work for you to keep good will for their business. Sadly for you anyone who is going to prohibit this man from getting work/money isn't going to do much except be background noise. Davco, the tile supplier etc aren't able to stop him from getting work - but you sure can and I'd encourage you to go after him with unrelenting vengeance) - go to the appropriate licensing board and talk to them. Go to HIA if your tiler is a member and the Fair Trading body in your state as a matter of course - they should be able to force compensation. I would threaten to get on every website, blogsite (including TrueLocal), the local paper and social media to tell as many people as you can about your experience with this tradesman naming names and showing what appalling work was done if you don't receive a refund/compensation/a first class quality fix within 14 days - and then if you're not happy follow through with the shaming and make sure he knows about it by sending him links/snapshots/clippings naming him and his business and let him know you're so upset that this will continue to be refreshed on a monthly basis until you receive satisfaction or he's out of business. If he indicated any businesses or people that would recommend him or gave you a list of previous jobs, I'd be sending letters to them (with photos and supporting correspondence) letting them know - and copying him. Builders all talk ;) Oh - and you could always do what a friend of mine did - have friends ring the gentleman in question to book work then cancel at the last minute after you've done your shame campaign siting the fact that they heard that he was a shameless, substandard tiler and their going with a more reputable tiler. Evil, but no more than than deserved. Stacey - I honestly hope you have more my experience than poor Micshak's. Let us know how you get on.

Hello jbantick, thank you for your interest in this saga! I have now fired the builder as I have been advised by the Dept of Fair Trading NSW that until such time the licence # is issued the builder cannot continue working. He had previously agreed to strip the walls back to the frame however this has not occurred. He has only removed the tiles and has left numerous holes in the walls and there are a lot of areas that has had the first layer stripped off. He told me that this would be addressed when the tiler renders the wall with Ardent. My concern is that if and when the foundation moves will it crack the render and have a follow on affect with the water proofing and grout. He was also suppose to organize for a skip bin to dispose of the rubbish. When I queried him about that as well he said there was no way he was going to pay the $300-$400 when he can use his ute to dispose of the rubbish. Everything he has formally stated he would do has not been done so it has left me uneasy. At this point in time I have only paid $4,000 I have asked for a full refund as all the work was carried out whilst he has been unlicensed and I have asked for the replacement of the tiles and the rubbish removed. I have also notified the Service provider I had sourced him from. He has responded to my email stating that he will need to account for his costs and will re-issue a tax invoice accordingly. I have also notified the Dept of Fair Trading and will lodge a formal complaint in the event the Service Provider will take no action and the builder doesn't comply with my request. I have been advised it will be a long process however it is the principle of the matter even though I may not get a full refund. If it helps to prevent another person going through the same thing I have had to then it will all be worth it

Hi oklouise, thank you again so much for your suggestions to help me reflect on my choices! The great thing about this whole process is that it has really helped me clarify my must haves/dealbreakers and nice to haves. Key elements that I don't want to forego are: 1) a "master suite" with large WIR + private ensuite+ direct private garden access/views. The current northern bedrooms are elevated and do not allow these elements and better suited to small kids as no external doors and can be eyeballed from the kitchen. 2)The kitchen must be the heart of the home and connected to all living spaces so the host never feels disconnected from guests & can watch kids from almost any living space.I attended a party last weekend which had the kitchen blocking the living room from the outdoor space and the host commented they regretted it after renovating. 3)The dining room must be an end destination vs a corridor so it does not become a dumping grounds for bags, mail & everything else as the nearest flat surface to the entry point. 4) All new bedrooms must also be min 3 -3.2M wide on the narrowest side for me to justify them. 5) I reviewed all my lookbooks and tear sheets pulled to date and its a clear pattern that I want my 'adult' living and dining/entertaining spaces connected to the rear garden preferably wrapping l-shape round a deck or courtyard garden. In a sense 'broken' vs open plan but still visible through glass etc. 6) I would not be prepared sacrifice the prime N/NE aspect with utility rooms. 7) I don't wish to place a verandah at the front as it will never be used except extra maintenance and can create shading in summer via other methods. 8) capacity to rent out room with private living quarters. There are many splitter blocks in my area and I don't need it to operate as legal dual occupancy. 9) single level living -no second story bedrooms etc. 10) separation of main bedrooms when renting out section of house Phew....I think thats most of the checklist criteria I have been working to. Still think tanking the street appeal/front facade style but its probably leaning toward lux byron bay beach cottage meets modern coastal with some retro elements to hint at the history of this 1950s house!