What questions to ask to see if tiler is good?

[zoggy123]

Hi

I need help, I have just had an extension built and would like an area of 42 sq metres to be tiled with 600 x 600 tiles. Which is split into an open plan kitchen/diner, small toilet, hallway etc. The floor has just had underfloor heating put in and floor as been screed, all walls are plastered and My builder is a one in a million so the preparation has been top class (

I think this sounds a pretty straight forward job as there are as the rooms have been plastered and floor screeded and the areas corners are seem to be very straight 90 angle corners and nothing else is in the rooms to be tiled (ie skirtings/kitchen, so its really a blank canvass)

However I want to get some advise and what to ask a tiler to find out if he's good. I've been loads of bad tiling jobs and I know when things have been bogged around alkward corners, but how do I communicate this to a future tiler. Obviously I'm looking for a really professional job at a reasonable price.

I know some people have suggested looking at a portfolio but that does not always show the full picture (as mentioned in an other thread, it might not be their work and its hard to judge good tiling face to face)
I've asked a few friends for referrals but didn't get very good responses

Also regarding prices, do tiles quote per job or per sq metre.

As my tiles were a big expense and we are down to the wire on the budget I can't afford to pick the wrong tiler and get an average job.

So what should I be asking?

Thanks
Zoe
By the way if anyone can recommend anyone i live in Woodford, Essex

[Dave]

Hi zoe......are you looking for a tiler via these forums......if so let me know......

[brian c]

HI Zoe and welcome to the forums,maybe you could tell us what area you are in and one of our members could price on the job?Posted at same time Dave...lol

[Prem Tiler]

she's in Woodford, Essex

[Daz]

Zoe,

You don't mention what type of tile, potential pattern etc. A good quality tiler will always discuss additional preparation work (natural stone) and potential issues (multi tile pattern) with you at time of estimation.

I would be happy to provide an estimate but Woodford is just a bit too far for me to make it economically viable for us both (I'm just outside Cambridge).

I can provide many customers that can be contacted for a "live" reference and any decent tiler should be able to do the same for you.

[frogeye]

.......6,7,8,9,10...........

[zoggy123]

I've seen italian tiles for around £60 per sq metre but trying to get a better trade price. the brouchure I have said they are class A tiles, no pattern just a very comtempory hammered finish, they are floor tiles with the colour that runs right through (not sure if that's porcelain or ceramic)

The area is 42 sq metres, including a large area of 33 sq metres of kitchen/diner so one big room, I would like them laid for the next row of tiles runs on the same edging, does that make sense, so when they laid every row of tile is the same , does that still make sense?
the tiles are 600 x 600

[frogeye]

so who deleted that then?

tut tut tut
pathetic

[zoggy123]

Oh a rough estimate would be great they are italian floor tiles, 600 x 600, total area is 42 sq metres

we have had an extension, so underfloor heating has been laid and then builder screeded the whole area to be tiled in concrete and his finish is first class, all walls have been plastered, there are no skirtings, anything in the areas to be tiled, just plastered walls and cemented floor, they finish is excellant, my dad was a builder years ago and said the prep area is a great base for tiles

[graham31]

Maybe just me but i don't think you can pay £60m2 for tiles and expect a reasonable price.

Like everything you get what you pay for

[wivers]

Hello i would be happy to give you an estimate.

We are based in Welwyn and can travel to woodford.

[frogeye]

I refer to a previous post - as near as....

"Obviously I'm looking for a really professional job at a reasonable price.

As my tiles were a big expense and we are down to the wire on the budget I can't afford to pick the wrong tiler and get an average job.'

censorship rules

frogeye

[zoggy123]

Sorry getting confused by the comments, I'm trying to get the tiles at a trade price and pay around £40 but ovbiously I'm not saying I want to pay peanuts for the tiler as I know you get monkeys
I'm trying say I want to pay a fair price (the going right) but get a good quality of work, a professional quality of work, I don't think that's too much to ask for if I'm paying the going rate
But what I was originally asking is what is the going right and how to a spot a good tiler and a bad tiler (what questions to ask).
I understand you get what you pay for, and I'm will to pay the going rate however in the past I have found out the someone/company giving me a top price doesn't always mean they are top at their jobs, likewise paying a low price gets you crap

[graham31]

Zoe i think the best thing you could do is PM Dave and he'll set you up with a good tiler from the forum....................You can't go wrong.

Cause if the job did go wrong you can come on here and out the tiler so your more or less guaranteed a good tiler

[whitebeam]

References would be a good start, phone number of previous customers. A lot of clients ask how long have you been in the trade, about three different prices is the standards or ask a friends if there've used a tiler recently

[P'boro tiler]

im guessing i would want atleast 1800 including materials for this job

[beanz]

about three different prices is the standards

Sorry Whitebeam, but what does this mean!?!

Also, length of time served doesn't always mean a great deal. One of the local "bulders come tilers" in my area has been tiling for years, and his customers are "apparently" very happy with his work, but i think he's a complete cowboy.. And i've only just started tiling!?! The short of it is, you can be tiling for 20 years, but if you were taught bad habbits by a cowboy tiler 20 years ago.........

Zoe, if you can't find anyone to refer a tiler, you probably would be better off using someone from the forum. Preferably someone with pics up. Dave can recommend the more experienced tilers to you, and like Graham said, they'll want to do a great job, because they won't get any more recommendations from the forum.

[Mrs Tiler]

your tiler may be able to get your tiles for you with trade discount;
try the Tile Association for a tiler, they have strict rules before they admit members so all tilers listed on the site should be okay.

[Leatherface]

Ask tiler for a number of customer and trade references who you can contact.
Even go as far as to say you would like to go and see a couple of the jobs that he has done !!!
for any tiler worth his salt he would only be too happy to oblige !
A kitchen firm I do work for wanted to see 3 of my jobs before they would even consider me.
Happy customers are always willing to help you out. A couple even wrote me a glowing reference without me even asking.

[Dave]

I refer to a previous post - as near as....

"Obviously I'm looking for a really professional job at a reasonable price.

As my tiles were a big expense and we are down to the wire on the budget I can't afford to pick the wrong tiler and get an average job.'

censorship rules

frogeye

Your'e previous comments were unfair to this member......i think you read to much into the comments..

You know the forums rules on behaviour towards other members.....lets leave it at that...

[Dave]

your tiler may be able to get your tiles for you with trade discount;
try the Tile Association for a tiler, they have strict rules before they admit members so all tilers listed on the site should be okay.

That is far from the truth.......anybody can join the TTA if they have a few references, a copy of there annual accounts and some pennies to pay to get in.....


We will only recommend valued and trusted members on this site who has a vast amount of knowledge on talent......


Zoe... i will get some names for you and pm you back....