Help!: How much should I be spending?

[Loulou]

Hi, I'm new to this and would appreciate any advice. We are having work done on our house which includes two new bathrooms. The structure is in place and I've got to decide which tiles I want so the plumbers know depth of them for laying pipework etc. (Stupidly I thought all times would be the same thickness....) I am thoroughly baffled by the ranges available to me, from bargain tiles at B&Q to pretty expensive in other places. But do you get what you pay for? I want slate effect floor tiles and the price varies enormously. I dont want to pay over the odds for something if I dont need to, but on the other hand I dont want to by rubbish quality. I would appreciate any advice as I have to make my decisions by Monday!
Thanks
Loulou

[cornish_crofter]

You certainly do get what you pay for, and my recent experience with B&Q and Focus tiles confirmed that. Thes tiles are often mixed batches, warped and have other issues, making them time consuming to lay. DIY shed tiles have got worse lately.

If you go to your local branch of CTD, They have a good range, and are generally thought to be better than TOPPs. Get yourself in with a tiler who uses them and he may be able to get you 15% off their prices.

[FreeD]

You get what you pay for same as with most things...although b&q and wickes do some nice tiles at resonable prices...the most important part imo is to chose a tile that you like doesn't really matter what it is but make sure you don't skimp on on the cost of having them laid...cheap tiles can look awesome if layed by a good tiler, nice pattern, good grout etc remember though the chances are the more expensive the tile the more its gonna cost to lay.

[Loulou]

Sorry, I'm unaware of CTD - are they a national company? I must admit to being unimpressed with our local Topps Tiles, it looked like it needed a good clean and a sort out (although staff were quite helpful) but it didnt seem great value for money...
I agree about quality of tilers - last time I bought tiles they were Porcelenosa 'bumpy' white with diamond inserts - very expensive and.took the tiler days to fit as they were so fiddly.
Luckily the guys who will be tiling are professionals brought in by the builder. I would have asked them but they're not due on site yet, its the plumbers that are chasing me.
Is there a specific type of tile you would reccomend? (travertine / porcelain etc?)Which is best? Or is it down to personal preference. As a rough guide what would you say would be the average price per m I should be paying for decent quality?
I really appreciate your responses so far..

[Sir Ramic]

This is CTD and you can find your nearest branch on the site.
CTD | home

[cornish_crofter]

CTD = Ceramic Tile Distributors. Look to your right, they are one of this forum's sponsers. If you click on the thumbnail you'll get their site and find your local store.

As to the cost, it all depends what you want. As FreeD has said, choose a tile you like and go with that, provided you can afford it.

[Loulou]

Unfortunately the nearest branch is in Warrington, over 40 miles away. In comparison to shops like Topps Tiles which are the only type i've been to, is it a better showroom and do you think it would be worthwhile me trying to fit in a visit if I can juggle my work commitments?

[Sir Ramic]

Yes deffo.

[enduro]

Unfortunately the nearest branch is in Warrington, over 40 miles away. In comparison to shops like Topps Tiles which are the only type i've been to, is it a better showroom and do you think it would be worthwhile me trying to fit in a visit if I can juggle my work commitments?

Tells us what area you are from then somebody on the forum could put you in touch with a supplier.

[Loulou]

I'm from Morecambe in Lancashire. That would be a great help, thank you!

[Grace'sDad]

LouLou, I've been to the Topps in Morecambe (from Morecambe myself, originally but I escaped!) It isn't up to much.

Try Topps in Preston if you can, it's how a Tile store should be with good staff. I agree with B&Q / Wickes etc. I tend to up my price a bit when I am asked to fix B&Q/Wickes/Homebase tiles, purely down to a few bad experiences with them.

What's GazTech's quote?
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

[Loulou]

Where did you escape from Morecambe to? (I must admit that, despite the critiscisms it gets I love the area, have lived in Lancaster & Morecambe all my life).
I may just try Preston Topps Tiles, thank you. If I'd found this forum earlier I could have gone when I went into Preston on Wednesday!
..And I love Gaztech's quote!...

I would like to say a big thankyou to every one of you taking the time to respond so quickly. A very impressive, helpful forum.

Loulou

[Grace'sDad]

I married a girl from Preston so I ended up here. I too lived in Lancaster and Morecambe. Preferred Lancaster really, but Morecambe was great in the early 90's with The Empire and The Carleton. Guess I've grown up now though!

(If you see anything you like in Preston Topps, PM me and I'll see if I can work you out a better deal. My parents are in Morecambe so I come up quite regularly. I believe they are starting a 40% off offer on Saturday.)

[Loulou]

You can tell I'm new to forums...if I'd read the information at the side (avatar?)I'd have known where you were from...
The Empire! I'd forgotten about that place. we put a fountain in the reception area but the guy wasn't paying, so I spent three afternoons just standing outside his office until he got so fed up of me he paid up!
I'll let you know how I get on today, thanks
Loulou

[MICK the Tiler]

I'm very glad you find the forum informative Loulou (Love the name by the way) and it is a pleasure for us members to help inform you about your upcoming tiling project.

Just remember not to rush the tile choice, you are in charge you are writting the cheques to get the job done, you are the boss not the plumbers or the builder. You will have to live with your choice (Hopefully for a long time)

My advice would be a tile from Spain or Italy always well made and of high quality. Compare a couple of samples one from Italy and one from China. The Italians and spanish have very High quality glazes on there tiles fired onto a finely graded clay biscuit that are also of a high quality, a quality that one can see and feel when they hold one in there hand. Same goes for porcelain as in the porcelenosa you are familar with, high quality. Yes they cost more, but are well worth every penny IMO.

Same goes with natural stone like travertine and marble Italians do it better although there is some nice marble coming out of Turkey of late.

Try and go for something in the middle range that way you will still get the quality finish you desire without the headaches of the fixer complaining that you bought cheap and nasty stuff from your local cash and carry tile shop.

All the best with your project and let us all know how you get on.

Cheers Mick

[Loulou]

Wow - a reply from across the pond! You must have known I've got Aussie blood. Thanks for taking the trouble....in fact I have taken Grace's dad's advice and just spent nearly three hours in Toppps tiles in Preston. The manager, Pete, was amazingly helpful (and patient!). He made me a coffee and spent lots of time showing me alternatives - some cheap, some very expensive. And I have come away knowing exactly what I want in each bathroom! He is even going to come out to see the bathrooms to suggest the best way of arranging the tiles as I am thinking of having feature mosaic on the actual shower floors and following it up the wall to break up the plainness of the main tiles(as he suggested).

[Loulou]

Whoops - shows how little I know about forums. I somehow managed to send the message without finishing it.
An interesting comment Mick about doing things at my speed, not to suit the fitters' . That is exactly what Pete said too.
All in all, if I hadn't found this forum I would still be wandering about without any direction and would probably have given up on tiles and gone to Marks & Spencers instead . (Wow, i've even managed to use one of those smiley things now - is there no stopping me!)
So I am extremely happy this Friday afternoon, and look forward to moving this project forward.

So I owe you all a big thank you, and will let you know how we get on if anyone's interested.

[Grace'sDad]

Of course, we'd love to know how it all goes now. (we love photos too!)

Glad you had a good experience at Topps Preston too!

[Loulou]

Just a quick update for you all....I have finally placed an order today with Topps Tiles in Preston. Its taken a while because its quite a big project and Pete (manager from Topps) has been out a couple of times to measure up and talk to my builder to ensure everything goes to plan which has been a huge weight off my mind. We're now getting the wetrooms from Topps as well, as an 'all in' package.We've also decided to re-tile and heat the kitchen/dining area - a massive 45m2 in total! The service has been excellent and we've been given a good discount as its such a big order.
Grace's dad - had in not been for my builder bringing his own men in (and he'd promised them the work months ago so it would have been unfair to pul them off the job)) I'd have been more than happy to get you involved. You come highly recommended by Topps and I will keep you in mind if I know of anyone wanting any work done. You should be on commission!!!
I'll let you know how things progress..
Loulou

[doug boardley]

well done loulou for keeping forum updated, perhaps you would post some piccies when project is complete
doug

[Loulou]

I'll be happy to do so I will if I can work out how to! I'm not great with computers but I'm sure someone here will be able to help when the time comes in a few weeks...

[doug boardley]

and did you notice that I'm only up the road? don't worry, not fishing 4 work, booked up till spring!

[Grace'sDad]

Thanks LouLou! I hope all works out well for you now. Feel free to get in touch if I can help in anyway. (I'm mad busy right now though so no complaints!)