ᐅ How can I identify a skilled tile installer for large-format tiles?
Created on: 10 Aug 2017 15:27
E
EA-Tec
Hello,
perhaps a somewhat basic question, but how can I recognize a truly skilled tile installer with experience in large-format tiles?
The background to my question is that, after many visits from tile installers at the construction site, they all claim to have done this kind of work before, but so far I have only felt confident that one of them really knew what they were talking about.
Of course, I could look at the work of each tile installer individually, but I neither have the time nor the desire to do so and would like to make a preliminary selection.
So far, the selection has mainly been based on price...!? Meaning if someone is too cheap, they are dismissed... I just get the feeling that the person doesn’t understand how much work this will involve for us.
In total (two bathrooms) it’s about 40 square meters (430 square feet) of tiles and around 10 square meters (110 square feet) of mosaic, but a lot of profiles between the tiles will be used, and the grout cuts need to be precise. The store where we bought the tiles estimated about 30% waste, and this was also confirmed by the tile installer who has so far left the best impression. However, it remains to be seen if that will really be the waste, as much of it can likely be used for shelves and similar.
Anyway, I’m wondering what criteria I can use for a preliminary selection? Are there specific questions I can ask tile installers to find out if they have experience with large-format tiles? Or do I need to continue selecting based on gut feeling (and a low price)?
Personally, I’m budgeting around €4,500 to €5,000 including VAT (including adhesive, sealing tape, profiles, etc.) — labor costs, across several tile installers, tend to be around €2,000 to €2,500 net, with a duration of 7 to 10 working days.
One person offered to do it for €1,500 gross and would have finished in three days — I suppose you could hire them just so they realize what the job actually involves, but I want the tiles to be installed nicely, not just thrown together.
I would appreciate any tips or suggestions, thank you very much in advance!
perhaps a somewhat basic question, but how can I recognize a truly skilled tile installer with experience in large-format tiles?
The background to my question is that, after many visits from tile installers at the construction site, they all claim to have done this kind of work before, but so far I have only felt confident that one of them really knew what they were talking about.
Of course, I could look at the work of each tile installer individually, but I neither have the time nor the desire to do so and would like to make a preliminary selection.
So far, the selection has mainly been based on price...!? Meaning if someone is too cheap, they are dismissed... I just get the feeling that the person doesn’t understand how much work this will involve for us.
In total (two bathrooms) it’s about 40 square meters (430 square feet) of tiles and around 10 square meters (110 square feet) of mosaic, but a lot of profiles between the tiles will be used, and the grout cuts need to be precise. The store where we bought the tiles estimated about 30% waste, and this was also confirmed by the tile installer who has so far left the best impression. However, it remains to be seen if that will really be the waste, as much of it can likely be used for shelves and similar.
Anyway, I’m wondering what criteria I can use for a preliminary selection? Are there specific questions I can ask tile installers to find out if they have experience with large-format tiles? Or do I need to continue selecting based on gut feeling (and a low price)?
Personally, I’m budgeting around €4,500 to €5,000 including VAT (including adhesive, sealing tape, profiles, etc.) — labor costs, across several tile installers, tend to be around €2,000 to €2,500 net, with a duration of 7 to 10 working days.
One person offered to do it for €1,500 gross and would have finished in three days — I suppose you could hire them just so they realize what the job actually involves, but I want the tiles to be installed nicely, not just thrown together.
I would appreciate any tips or suggestions, thank you very much in advance!
Hello EA-Tec.
You can’t judge a skilled tradesperson by their appearance!
Ask them for a "reference project" where they have previously installed large-format tiles.
If you don’t have the time or interest to check a reference, well, then you’re essentially taking a “blind gamble” by putting all your trust in one person.
How else, please, are you supposed to assess the quality of a tradesperson’s work other than by the results they have delivered in the past??
----------------------
Regards, KlaRa
You can’t judge a skilled tradesperson by their appearance!
Ask them for a "reference project" where they have previously installed large-format tiles.
If you don’t have the time or interest to check a reference, well, then you’re essentially taking a “blind gamble” by putting all your trust in one person.
How else, please, are you supposed to assess the quality of a tradesperson’s work other than by the results they have delivered in the past??
----------------------
Regards, KlaRa
Hello KlaRa,
I think you might not have read carefully.
I mentioned that I don’t want to visit the work sites of every single tiler. After just four days, that would already be nine tilers, and more are coming next week. By the way, according to their own statements, all of them are experienced with large-format tiles.
That’s exactly why I asked if there is a way to pre-select, but not only based on price.
But I can already see – at first it’s just gut feeling and price, and if the pool of potential tilers is smaller, in my case a maximum of five, then it’s time to visit their previous work. Among my friends and acquaintances, I only know one who has large-format tiles (120cm x 120cm (47 inches x 47 inches)), and their tiler is coming to inspect my site next week.
My gut feeling has rarely let me down so far, and a (too) low price suggests to me that the tiler either doesn’t fully understand the scope of work at our place or has very few orders and relies heavily on every single one – which, in turn, would not necessarily reflect positively on the quality of their work… all of this is purely theoretical, of course… but at some point, theory has to become practice.
I think you might not have read carefully.
I mentioned that I don’t want to visit the work sites of every single tiler. After just four days, that would already be nine tilers, and more are coming next week. By the way, according to their own statements, all of them are experienced with large-format tiles.
That’s exactly why I asked if there is a way to pre-select, but not only based on price.
But I can already see – at first it’s just gut feeling and price, and if the pool of potential tilers is smaller, in my case a maximum of five, then it’s time to visit their previous work. Among my friends and acquaintances, I only know one who has large-format tiles (120cm x 120cm (47 inches x 47 inches)), and their tiler is coming to inspect my site next week.
My gut feeling has rarely let me down so far, and a (too) low price suggests to me that the tiler either doesn’t fully understand the scope of work at our place or has very few orders and relies heavily on every single one – which, in turn, would not necessarily reflect positively on the quality of their work… all of this is purely theoretical, of course… but at some point, theory has to become practice.
T
Traumfaenger10 Aug 2017 23:01EA-Tec schrieb:
or has very few jobs and depends on each one – which does not necessarily reflect positively on their work... Some contractors also participate on online platforms for job or trade service postings. They are rated there as well. Finding one with 50, 100, or 500 positive reviews would be a good indication for an initial selection.
Good morning!
Do you really contact everyone you can find through Google?!
It’s a shame to waste so much time for the contractors—and for you as well.
We try to limit ourselves to two or three companies to request quotes from. Before that, we ask friends, colleagues, or family if they know someone reliable.
This method has worked well for nearly all trades so far. We then sort based on price and sometimes also personal impression (for example, one painter showed up during the site visit commenting on what other trades were doing wrong—in a way that simply didn’t suit us).
That has to be enough, after all, choosing doesn’t get any easier after talking to 15 people.
Do you really contact everyone you can find through Google?!
It’s a shame to waste so much time for the contractors—and for you as well.
We try to limit ourselves to two or three companies to request quotes from. Before that, we ask friends, colleagues, or family if they know someone reliable.
This method has worked well for nearly all trades so far. We then sort based on price and sometimes also personal impression (for example, one painter showed up during the site visit commenting on what other trades were doing wrong—in a way that simply didn’t suit us).
That has to be enough, after all, choosing doesn’t get any easier after talking to 15 people.
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