Q: While renovating our home we purchased floor tiles and bathroom fittings. These were purchased from the same supplier. We also asked this supplier whether he could recommend us a tile-layer. He gave us the name of a tile-layer whom he praised and told us we would be satisfied with a job well done.

After the tile-laying was done, I washed the floor tiles and realised the tiles were not laid properly. The job did not look good.

We immediately phoned the tile-layer to come and see and asked for an explanation. He told us it was not his fault but it was due to the type of tiles we purchased. He said the tiles were damaged.

Why didn't he say this as soon as he started the job? What are my rights in this matter?

A: When buying the tiles, did the supplier inform you they were seconds or of inferior quality? If not, and the tiles are of bad quality, you may ask the supplier for a refund.

The tile-layer should have immediately informed you the tiles you bought were bad quality ones and that the finished job would not look good. In this case, you may also claim a refund of the cost for the tile-laying exercise and the cost to remove all the tiles.