Help!: First commercial tiling job

[KevinBurnard]

Hiya

Im not sure if this is the right place to post but im in need of some help.

I live close to a building site (unlucky i know!) They are building a travel lodge and have asked me to quote for a tiling job.

I have only done residential tiling and where i feel fine to quote them, i am stuck on a few things.

it is 119 m sq broken down as such:
splash backs - 4m2
floor tiling - 63m2
skirting tile - 52m

How much would you quote? And how long do you reckon it would take you to do?

Also, i was under the impression when i said yes that they would get the tiles, but having just recieved an email they tell me that i am to get all materials! and here is my other problem... anyone know where i can get these tiles from?

• 150 x 150mm Johnson white wall tile
• Floor tiles; Swedecor ref: HHAR204, 300 x 300 colour: Astri Dubhe
• Ceramic skirting tile to suit 95 x 300

I want to do this job, but i am feeling a bit have i bitten off more than i can chew? are there any other things i need to be aware off before doing a tiling job like this?

thanks for any help

Kev

[diamondtiling]

Hi Kev, pricing cant be discussed in this forum.

There are lots of things you need when doing commercial work, a cscs card, public liability insurance of at least 5 million maybe more. You need a health and safety policy and risk assessments of all works being carried out. You also need experience of commercial work as without it you may be eaten alive by the other trades.
Money for the materials is a must as is good cash flow because you might not get paid for 3 months, good luck.

[KevinBurnard]

Hiya

Thanks for your reply! sorry didn't realise about pricing.. wont happen again

I think I will look into this all further before confirming/declining the work.

Thanks again.
Kev

[Bathfix Bob]

150x150 white tiles eh?.........classy!

Seriously though, I've never worked in commercial premises, I imagine though everything would need to be alot more durable (higher footfall etc, kids ripping things off). I'm not saying your work isn't durable but you don't want a call back a few months down the line.

Personaly I probably wouldn't be interested in this job, I don't have 5 million or a CSCS card for a start.

[Sir Ramic]

Never been asked for more than 2 million PL.
The classy white tiles will probably only be a kitchen splashback for staffroom.
Swedecor tiles used to be obtained from CTD but I think you have to go direct now...not sure.

As Dom says. working with other trades can be a nightmare, yo will be fixing the floor and they wil walk on it.
Commercial work can be ok but you need more experience IMO.

[Perfect Tiling]

As above mate...commercial can be a nightmare. You always seem to get an area finished just as they realise that they need to run a pipe or cable under what you have done...and don't care how they do it! You also have stricter deadlines to meet...regardless how fast or slow you can go. Stick with domestic for time being...easier customers (most of the time) and if you do a good job...they tell everyone...noone will know it was you who did the great job at the travel lodge. Good luck!

[Sean Kelly]

Kev,
I really would stay away from this one. If you can get in with a contractor or builder to work on a couple of these types of jobs then you should.
A couple of weeks ago I arrived on site at Beckton (East London). 2 & a half hour journey. I was fixing 2sqm of mosaic behind the bar at a Premier Inn, and 5sqm of floor tiles in 3 separate areas. Now how long should it take?..............and how long did it take?...................The answer is I arrived on site at 12:00 and did not finish until 02:00. I was last in line behind the sparks, chippies & builders. When I tiled & grouted behind the bar with 2sqm with mosaic I went to get clean water. When I returned, the painter was varnishing the bar, which meant I could not get to clean off the grout! The 5sqm of floor tiles was delayed because the builders were still building & plasterboarding the walls, and the sparks were still on ladders in the middle of the room. The only good thing was that driving 25miles home across London only took 35mins. If you have only done residential then there is no way you can quote for this kind of work. As posts above state, somebody WILL walk on your tiles, and somebody WILL drill out your tiles to fit a pipe or socket. It’s every man for themselves. If you really must say ‘Yes’ then think how long it would take you to tile that area if you had the whole area to yourself. Then times that number by at least 4. Good luck. Sean

[Dave]

Never been asked for more than 2 million PL.
The classy white tiles will probably only be a kitchen splashback for staffroom.
Swedecor tiles used to be obtained from CTD but I think you have to go direct now...not sure.

As Dom says. working with other trades can be a nightmare, yo will be fixing the floor and they wil walk on it.
Commercial work can be ok but you need more experience IMO.

Swedecor are CTD.. well near enough, they are both owned by Saint gobain and stock just about the same tiles.. So if the reference is a Swedecor one then you can ask in CTD or just use scewedcor direct.


You will find showrooms for all stores here>> Ceramic Tile Distributors | CTD, Bathroom Tiles, Kitchen Tiles, Floor Tiles etc.

[SandyFloor]

The very fact you're asking these questions and you've stated you're uncomfortable makes me think you should steer clear. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is programmes and if you're behind, these guys might crucify you. I'm also concerned that they want you to supply the tiles which is a big outlay if you don't have credit facilities.

[KevinBurnard]

Thanks for all your responses! this site is great!

I am steering clear from this one! I don't have the cash flow or means to supply all the tiles and other materials and they expect me to finish it in 2 days! And i know that i am not up to the level of tiling and grouting 119m2 in 2 days.

Thanks for the information about CTD it is good to know about.

I will stick to domestic tiling

Cheers everyone!

Kev