When does a tile become a mosaic

[richard Kent]

When does a tile cease to be a tile and become a mosaic?
Is it the size of each indiviual tile, or the fact it's attached to a backing that makes it a mosaic?
Not that I'm bored
It's just I have a rough price per meter for wall tiling, with tiles no smaller then 10cm sq, if a customer chooses tiles smaller than this the price increases and normally they are attached to a backing

[doug boardley]

I'd say a tile becomes a mosaic when it's fiddly

[timeless john]

RICHARD - What is a rough price for wall tiling?, but more importantly who would you give that price too.
If someone is on the phone and asks how much you charge for wall tiling I couldn't give them an accurate guide so I wouldn't quote. There are so many other factors - not least your particular point - the size of tile - that would determine a rate.
I find that the only way you are going to win a job is by a site visit, see the background, measure the total area to tile, and see how long it will take to complete.
I could tile 30+ metres of 6inch white in a day on straight walls, but only 6 metres as a kitchen splashback.
In short - my costing would be based on the amount of time a particular job would take rather than by the size of the tile.
Mosaic is the picture or pattern produced by an arrangement of tiles/pieces and is therefore not determined solely by size and the backing is there to control the positioning of the tile pieces.

[tobins tiling]

good reply john doing kitchen splashbacks does nt always give you the price as the amount of work you put in with cuts ect. but sometimes you have to take rough with the smooth i suppose

[SandyFloor]

Agree fully with TJ. To add to that I would advise anyone to not only look at the job but to meet the customer to discuss and advise what they should be looking for from a tiler. Rather than competing on price you want to compete on professionalism and competence.

[richard Kent]

Hi John
I sub-contract to one of the big sheds for kitchen fitting and if the customer wants a tile splashback the shed will pay me a certain amount per metre with tiles of 100cm sq if the tiles are smaller than this then they will pay me more per metre.
The price I receive is irespective of how many sockets I have to cut round or how many door or window reveals. I would also get paid so much a metre for removing the old tiles and making good ready for tiling.


Doug great reply

[timeless john]

Richard - Been there many moons ago and its fine with continuity of work or if its an add on to your kitchen fitting!
But in the 70/80's when we were getting £8/10 per yard you couldn't make a wage on a 3 yard splashback which took a day to complete.
Even now some of the prices that are given by sales assistants just to win the bigger picture are derisory.
I understand your post in the fact that a price is provided by the 'shed' and they are wanting you to do it at that price - but prehaps it may be better to start at a minimum day rate for say up to 5sq metres to include 6 sockets and 1 window return.
Then you can have an additional list for extra sockets etc. (just the same as extra for removing tiles/preparation.)
Long may you remain busy and keep the customer happy - it can often be a introduction to more work in the same household.

[richard Kent]

Hi John thanks for the reply, to be honest it's not that bad a wag if you bank every thing togeather fitting the kitchen, appliances, electrical work, plastering, plumbing.
If you had to turn up on site and just do the tiling then it's not so good, and your right about having a continuous supply of work, well this year any way.

[timeless john]

Excellent! - pleased to hear your busy.
Keep posting and enjoy your time with the Tilers Forum.
Don't forget 'we love pictures' is the rallying call from administration.

[Dave Ramsden]

Id say anything les than 100x100mm I have fixed mosaics larger than 50x50mm yet tho

[richard Kent]

This weeks fit had 100cm x 50 cm stone mosaic on a backing sheet around 5 metres managed to finish them last night, so had to day off work which has been nice, getting ready for a week end away at Banbury my wife is doing the race for life on Sunday.

[cuttintiles]

@100mm x 50mm and a dead give away is if it is on sheets!

[Phil Hobson]

I can relate to TJs answer, in the 60s, 70s, 80s in my case. I could easily do a 18m2 bathroom and a 4m2 kitchen in a day, using 150x 150 tiles. Today I can spend 3 days on one bathroom, large format, the job I am on at the is moment is 900mm x 320mm. You can't give a price anymore over the phone. I need to price every job by seeing the tile, the job, and the amount of cutting, prep work etc.How times change