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!
I posted a job on My-Hammer mentioning large tiles and then waited to see who would respond. First, I checked the reviews, although that’s not a reliable indicator since none specify whether the tile work involved large tiles. So far, I have proactively contacted only two tile installers – one who worked for an acquaintance, and earlier today the one my tile supplier considers the best for large tiles among their customers.
I now have these two tile installers shortlisted, and two more are scheduled to visit next week. In the end, I want to have three options and decide on one based purely on gut feeling. The price differences are about 200 EUR ($) between them.
As I said, I don’t really know anyone with experience in tile installers for large tiles except for one person, so I had to take this more thorough route for the tiles. It was different with the parquet flooring, which went faster and was easier.
I’ll upload some pictures later showing how the bathrooms currently look and how they are planned to be tiled.
I now have these two tile installers shortlisted, and two more are scheduled to visit next week. In the end, I want to have three options and decide on one based purely on gut feeling. The price differences are about 200 EUR ($) between them.
As I said, I don’t really know anyone with experience in tile installers for large tiles except for one person, so I had to take this more thorough route for the tiles. It was different with the parquet flooring, which went faster and was easier.
I’ll upload some pictures later showing how the bathrooms currently look and how they are planned to be tiled.
Here are the pictures of the main and guest bathrooms, including the "professional tiling plan."
Working time: 7 to 10 working days. Quotes range between 4,500 and 5,000 EUR (excluding VAT) and include:
Priming walls and floors, waterproofing, building in the bathtub, and, of course, laying the tiles. Except for the tiles and stainless steel profiles, all materials are included, such as adhesive, epoxy resin, etc.
The price seems reasonable to me, considering there is quite a lot of work involved.
The tiles and mosaics are the Maps of Cerim model from the manufacturer Florim.
Working time: 7 to 10 working days. Quotes range between 4,500 and 5,000 EUR (excluding VAT) and include:
Priming walls and floors, waterproofing, building in the bathtub, and, of course, laying the tiles. Except for the tiles and stainless steel profiles, all materials are included, such as adhesive, epoxy resin, etc.
The price seems reasonable to me, considering there is quite a lot of work involved.
The tiles and mosaics are the Maps of Cerim model from the manufacturer Florim.
W
winnetou7813 Aug 2017 08:57I believe that nowadays, you can use large-format tiles even in small bathrooms. The fewer the grout lines, the better.