1/25/2011 4:03 PM (PST)

We recently filed a complaint with CSLB on our Geneneral Contract due to his failure of fixing the bad tiles that his subcontractor has installed. We also included among the other issues that we have with the contractor trying to extort more money from us when we hired him to remodel our home. We provided CSLB with the pictures of the tiles, cost of corrections from other lincensed tile setters, documentation of the problems, and documention of the project timelines.

Our experience so far with CSLB has not been helpful. They try to mediate and get the GC to fix the problem. But what the GC propose to fix is not going to solve the problem for us. The workmanship on the tile installation is really poor due to tthe following reasons:

- inconsistent grout joints
- grout is rough and there's lippage in some areas
- the pony wall does not any slope to allow the water to drain
- the shower pan step is too wide, 8 inches on one end and 7 1/4 inches on the other end. The standard shower pan step is 6 inches
- the trims are not straight in some areas
- the grout lines are too wide around the fiberglass tub ~ 1/4 inch, which will crack and leak in the long term
- the tiles around the bath tub is not high enough to fit the diverter correctly

With all the issues I'm listed out the lincensed tile contractors we talked to are not comfortable cutting the tiles out as it might chip the neighboring tiles and it also destroy the integrity of the tiles. With that said they will not warrant the installation. They all suggested that it needs to be removed and start from scratch. What this GC is proposing is to cut out a few tiles and correct the problem. We would prefer to have him pay us and we hire another tile setter to fix the problem. CSLB doesn't care about the problem or how it should be fixed they only care that the GC is willing to come back and trying to fix the problem. We don't want him to come back and fix the tiles again, especially not after the tile guy has fixed it twice. CSLB said if we don't take the GC's offer then they will close the case. We ask for arbitration and they said this case is not qualified. We're thinking filing a small claim or going after his bond. We also thinking of hiring a tile inspector to write up a report, but it'll cost us $1000.

Along with the other issues we filed, CSLB doesn't seem to care or put any effort in investigating our complaint. We even provided evidence too. We know this GC has at least one prior complaint and we would think they would put some effore in discipling the GC. Is that how CSLB works?

Does anyone have bad experience with CSLB as a consumer point of view?

Does anyone have any experience or advice on filing a bond claim?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.