Removing wall tile?

Deanne17

How easy (or difficult) would it be for a beginner to remove tile from a bathroom wall?

The tile was just put in yesterday, if that makes a difference at all.

Thanks for any advice, Deanne. 

 

**Backstory, not necessary to read unless interested** 

 I had hired a plumber to install a shower, and needed a carpenter to build a wall to support the shower. The plumber did a fantastic job, I paid him, he left. The carpenter (who did a good job on the wall) said he had some finishing work to do and would come back another day.

 He came back yesterday to do the 'finishing' (never gave me more details than that). When I came home from work, there was tile surrounding the shower and covering one small wall.

This tile is absolutely hideous, and I had never once mentioned tile as something I wanted. He did not ask about this, just went ahead and did it. 

As I was very dissatisfied with his work, I refused to pay him the full price he asked. We negotiated a lower price, I paid, and I hope to never see him again. I debated about not paying at all, but figured I didn't want the hassle.

 I'll need to hire someone else to do the proper drywall, and I can ask that person to remove the tile, but wondered if I might be able it DIY and save some money. 

Jerem2911

It's likely he didn't grout yet, so you could chisel the tiles off. If you didn't like it yesterday, you should've just taken them off then because the cement would've still been wet.

sharonskye

If it hasn't been grouted you should be able to just pry them off. You'll cause a little bit of damage to whatever he put beneath, but you'll need to hire someone to finish the wall however you want anyway. Honestly, I wouldn't have paid him at all. I would be on the phone to his supervisor or who ever owns the company and make them pay for someone else to fix the damage he caused. Installing tile you didn't want or ask for is unacceptable 

Deanne17

Thanks for both of your replies.

Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of the tile the day he did it (got home from work after 11pm and went straight to bed). I saw it the next morning but did not have time to do anything until after work.

 I tried to pry them off but they seem pretty set by now. I think I'll just leave them in place until I figure out what will be replacing them.

 I did consider not paying him, but as I said I didn't want the hassle. I could afford what he charged (and got him to come even lower than that), and was willing to pay to get him out. Unfortunately, he is an independent contractor so he has no supervisor (or I definitely would have gone above him).

 I'll definitely be doing more research on future contractors, and I've learnt my lesson about getting written contracts!