We're about to redo our kitchen and potentially our two bathrooms and whilst I have no problems doing the kitchen install (it's only making sure you measure and cut carefully...) Tiling is not my forte.

I thought about doing a course, however having spoken to my wife about it, she's interested in doing it herself and if it's less work for me I certainly don't mind - after all I tend to get stuck with all the DIY jobs and she has plenty of holiday to do a course.

We're in Essex and a few people used to recommend PTS in Harlow, however it seems to have changed to STC and the old trade that was there has moved on. Is there anywhere in East Essex (southend way) that is better or is Harlow still the best bet? I had seen a few comments on the assessments for NVQ's being a bit rubbish, but we're not looking for qualifications, just the ability to do a bit of DIY properly... so probably just a weeks course to get some basics down.

Thoughts?

welcome

have i understood you correctly , one of you will do a tiling course so u can do your own tiling, if so would,nt it be better just to pay a pro to do it
good luck with which ever way to choose to go

It's a fair point, but what's the rate of a tiler these days? I would assume a single room would be a couple of hundred in labour?

Its all very well doing the course if you like DIY and the course gives you the experience necessary but i feel you will do the course for £XXX and then have to get all materials at retail prices or there abouts. You then have to tile the job which with the best will in the world will take you probably 5 times longer than a professional, you will also make lots of mistakes along the way as do lots of newbies when they finish their courses.

Of course you may prove me wrong but why not pay a professional saving the course money and job is done and dusted ASAP ?

Or why not post a job here and see what the quotes are in comparison with your own time and the course costs.
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My missus asked me to teach her how to tile. She said "We can spend more time together", "Like I need that??" Answering that question quietly to myself. In the end I agreed. "I got a grout job you can help me with" I explained. "Great" the missus replied. She lasted a whole 2 hours. Completely wrecked her fingernails and hairdo. Haven't heard a peep from her since LOL!!

My wife is quite practical and a lot more artistic than me. I can get something done practically, but asthetics aren't my strong point.

Our last bathroom I got fitted by a general builder. I bought all the materials and gear and he did the full refit for about £1,100. It took six days. I couldn't have taken the time off to do the work myself, but this time I have a 2nd bathroom, so can do 'without' so can do a bit at a time.

My wife works alongside me ( that's not strictly true - I set it up and she does the work) when we do commissions for mosaic Logo's and she gets all the money!
As for bathroom/kitchen tiling my son works alongside me (that's not strictly true - I do all the work).
To learn the basics of tiling, a course would be very worthwhile and she will enjoy it and then you have this Tilers Forum, which is here to help with friendly free advice! Enjoy.

hi tim ,wish you all the best(sorry the wife) all the best if she chooses to do her course and you will get lots of advice here,i do agree with other comments though that the cost of a course and also all the tools which are expensive to do full bathrooms to a good standard you would be as well getting a pro in .

either way all the best and keep us posted

Hi there Tim....sorry to follow thread but i do think that unless your wife is considering taking up tiling as a career the money you would spend on the course, materials and tools would be better used to get a pro in.

chris

When I first read the post I thought 'nothing wrong with that', then I realised I'd misread it. I thought it said 'wife wants to do the ironing'

Originally Posted by John Benton

When I first read the post I thought 'nothing wrong with that', then I realised I'd misread it. I thought it said 'wife wants to do the ironing'

ooh, wait till gisela and the rest of the ladies see that

Originally Posted by John Benton

When I first read the post I thought 'nothing wrong with that', then I realised I'd misread it. I thought it said 'wife wants to do the ironing'

Oh how we love a brave man..

I was going to add that I don't mind a bit of ironing myself and when my wife is looking over my shoulder its only fair that I should.

personally I think this is exactly where the training centres are of some use. If you are the type of person that will just enjoy doing the job for your self then it is perfect, but if you are just trying to save a £ then you may be disappointed. As others have said you will not get the tilers discount on the materials and the tools required for a professional finish can run in to hundreds so it just depends on what you are looking for either way you have started at the right place.

If your wife wants to do the Tiling because she will enjoy doing it, then I suggest the both of you sit down and count the cost for course, tiles, materials, tools. Also the cost to prep the area properly, this can cost quite a bit. Also include the cost of being inexperienced, this will cost you the most of all your expenses. It will include wasted adhesive, broken or miscut tiles, your time as it will take you at least twice as long.The biggest cost of inexperience can be the potential possible redo if it's stuffed up.(and I say that in the nicest way possible ) This of course does not include the mental and emotional cost to your wife and probably most of all, to you!!
....But, but, but .... if you are happy with the cost and....If you feel you will get some enjoyment and satisfaction of doing it yourself...I say go for it let her have a go, who cares what its going to cost as long as you can afford it. And you know what, If you feel like giving her a hand now and again then do it, accomplishing a project together despite what might happen ,Im sure it will be a memory the both of you can have a laugh about, mmm in...about ...30 years
Look, like I said if you can afford it and you really want to give it a go just for the experience then dont get put off we just know whats involved but the guys here are at your service if you get stuck, so dont be shy and ask heaps of questions BEFORE you start each step...Please.
Oh, and dont forget some pics please

Originally Posted by tim_n

We're about to redo our kitchen and potentially our two bathrooms and whilst I have no problems doing the kitchen install (it's only making sure you measure and cut carefully...) Tiling is not my forte.

I thought about doing a course, however having spoken to my wife about it, she's interested in doing it herself and if it's less work for me I certainly don't mind - after all I tend to get stuck with all the DIY jobs and she has plenty of holiday to do a course.

We're in Essex and a few people used to recommend PTS in Harlow, however it seems to have changed to STC and the old trade that was there has moved on. Is there anywhere in East Essex (southend way) that is better or is Harlow still the best bet? I had seen a few comments on the assessments for NVQ's being a bit rubbish, but we're not looking for qualifications, just the ability to do a bit of DIY properly... so probably just a weeks course to get some basics down.

Thoughts?

PTS and STC are the same company and are still going in Harlow at the same unit. PTS had to change their name. Just pop in and check them out.
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missyT

Doing any course is never wasted, I don't think. Having done the Nett course and loving it and then my bathroom I recognized that a course can teach you the basics, yes, and my bathroom looks good and I was proud of the result, BUT, it was physically much much harder than anticipated, leaning over bathtubs and making sure it doesn't get scratched, the weight of the tiles to be lugged around, the weight of the adhesive even, which you wouldn't want to mix by hand so you'd need a paddle mixer, and the ready mix adhesives are a nono....and as others have said the cost of the tools alone are quite considerable, and you have to have a space to store them, etc etc. I think doing the course is great, as the practical knowledge can be applied to other diy areas in life, it's a skill, but with the option left open that your wife can change her mind about doing this herself and maybe do get a professional in in the end after all. It all depends how strong she is and how much she enjoys the whole tiling experience during the course. If she is artistically minded, why not encourage her to design something unusual, or even get hooked into the design of it and have a tiler bring it to fruition? Could be bliss! . By the way, great you are so supportive of our wife! Nice!