Cape Town - Here’s some advice on purchasing a new home, by my regular contributor John from HouseCheck.
As home inspections are increIasingly becoming the norm in the South African real estate process, estate agents should be using the home inspection report as an important tool in successfully managing negotiations between seller and buyer.
South African estate agents are now generally much less hostile to the concept of home inspections and, indeed, some estate agents are recommending that their buyers obtain a home inspection report. Some agents have moved beyond regarding a home inspection report as a possible “deal-breaker” and are now starting to use the report to facilitate and finalise the sale negotiations.
HouseCheck has recognised the crucial role which estate agents play in the sales process and has decided to routinely make a copy of the inspection report available to the estate agent involved. This means that the buyer and the agent (and through the agent the seller also) has access to the same factual information on the condition of the property.
Questions and answers
Maryna has a question about tiles and tiling.
We have a problem with the tiles in our newly built house. We moved in about three weeks ago.
The tiles are Nano tiles. Before buying the tiles we made sure from the supplier that it was a first-grade full Nano polished porcelain tile. We understand a Nano tile is supposed to be a very strong durable tile.
While the tiler was busy, we had about 20 to 25 tiles replaced because of faults. We used the same tiles on the floors as well as on the walls.
The tiles have dull patches and seem to scratch extremely easily, despite felt pads on all our furniture to protect them. On the wall tiles the dull patches are clearly visible.
We informed the supplier and they came to look at the tiles. The gentleman agreed that the tiles should not be in this condition. They came to inspect the tiles again and then a specialist also came, but could not give us a satisfactory explanation on the condition of the tiles.
There is definitely a problem and we worry about the condition the tiles will be in after six months. The tiles in your house are the most important focal point.
Where could we contact someone to please come and inspect the tiles and give us advice?
Answer: I have been waiting for a tiling question. We are bombarded continually by radio, TV and print media ads cajoling us to buy this or that tile. Everybody has a special – why? Because suppliers import container loads of tiles from here, there and everywhere hoping to dump them on an unsuspecting public, and then having bought them we put them into the hands of inexperienced tilers, many of whom have some basic skills but have never been trained to lay tiles to First World standards.
A quick check on the internet reveals the following about Nano Tiles:
“Nano technology is being used in the tile industry to produce tiles with increased sheen and colour and a greater resistance to stains.
“Nano technology in tiles involves a process that treats the tile’s surface to increase the sheen, enhance the colour and improve protection against staining and marking.”
From the above and without wanting to go into too much detail, it would appear that Nano refers to the finish on the tile and not necessarily to the tile itself.
What really annoys me about this scenario is that your supplier has been to your home twice and sent a specialist to check and still you are getting nowhere.
Having admitted that the tiles are not what they should be, why is he not offering to replace them instead of just shaking his head? If the tile does not have the correct finish there is no argument: replace them or use the other standard arguments of “it must be the tiler’s fault or you have not sealed them properly”. But don’t spend millions on ad campaigns then leave your client in the lurch. Man up or get out of the industry.
In all fairness to suppliers, there are many instances where clients and tilers don’t follow the correct laying or sealing procedures, assuming it was explained to you by the supplier at the start of the process what needed to be done and for what purpose the tile was best suited.
Buying an expensive tile is like buying an expensive paint; if you don’t get the prep right you are doomed to failure. I am involved in a scenario at the moment where the client spent R300m2 on tiles, the tiler did not use the correct amount of adhesive, leaving the tiles sounding hollow, then he was entrusted with sealing the tiles. The only problem was he did not wash the tiles before applying the sealer, so now the client has a nice grey tile instead of a white tile. As it was a soft tile the dust penetrated the tile surface and no amount of cleaning or sanding will get the tile clean.
If you are using a tile which needs to be sealed, don’t skimp – employ a professional company which specialises in cleaning and sealing tiles. It could save you a fortune. I guarantee that a R90m2 tile laid and sealed properly will look much better than a R300m2 tile badly laid. Correct supervision is of paramount importance. - Weekend Argus
* Please keep your questions or comments coming to don@macalister.co.za, or sms only to 082 446 3859