We have about 250 sqm (2,690 sq ft) of tiles from SR ourselves. Mainly in the price range of 50-80€/sqm (approximately $55-$88/sq ft). Absolutely fine and recommendable. They were used for floors in the living and dining rooms, complete bathrooms including walls, with tiles up to 200x200 cm (79x79 inches). No signs of wear at all (we are still in the move-in phase, so the floors are definitely being used without much care).
However, in the basement we chose very inexpensive tiles (30x60 cm / 12x24 inches, 20€ per sqm / about $22 per sq ft) – these are much lower in quality (joint widths, uneven heights, etc.), also from SR.
However, in the basement we chose very inexpensive tiles (30x60 cm / 12x24 inches, 20€ per sqm / about $22 per sq ft) – these are much lower in quality (joint widths, uneven heights, etc.), also from SR.
SvRi___ schrieb:
However, in the basement we chose very inexpensive tiles (30x60cm (12x24 inches), 20€ per sqm) – these are significantly lower in quality (joint sizes, uneven heights, etc.), even from SR.But SR is not to blame for that; it’s due to the tile itself or the manufacturer/price.
We also sourced many of our tiles from Schmidt Rudersdorf, as our tiler purchased from them. As far as I know, they don’t have their own brand but distribute tiles from various manufacturers. Therefore, I can only comment on their service, which was always very good. They offer tiles in a wide range of price categories and, consequently, qualities. Naturally, this can mean sometimes receiving tiles that are not perfectly dimensionally accurate. Although 20€ per sqm is not exactly bottom-tier pricing.
Hello Hans,
some background and terminology about common practices in the construction industry:
S&R appears to be a specialized retailer with a showroom. The tiler has a contract with them, and they handle the selection process as well as the lists of surface areas and quantities for your project. Then everything is delivered to the construction site on schedule, invoiced directly, and with appropriate logistics in the correct quantities. In other words, the tiler has minimal logistics effort and can focus on his core task, the installation. You will receive the cost estimate from the tiler.
Negotiating prices with the specialized retailer usually doesn’t work, as their prices are often the manufacturers’ list prices. Tilers generally don’t like to work with materials supplied by the customer because of logistics, incorrect quantities, warranty issues, and quality concerns. Smaller one-person businesses might make exceptions on request, but the larger the company, the less likely this is.
Often, specialized retailers offer tiered discounts to tilers based on the volume of tiles purchased. This means the tiler receives a commission at the end of the year, including for materials you buy. If there is any room for discounting at all, this would be the place to try, but given the current construction market, it’s doubtful. Haggling with specialized retailers is generally not possible.
Also, specialized retailers usually stock all the major manufacturers, so it doesn’t matter much which one you go to. The size of their showroom will vary, of course. Feel free to visit another showroom (even if your tiler doesn’t work with them) because you might find tiles you like that you didn’t see at the first showroom. Then ask your tiler if he can order those for you. That’s how we found our bathroom tiles, for example.
PS: my brother runs a tiling business.
some background and terminology about common practices in the construction industry:
S&R appears to be a specialized retailer with a showroom. The tiler has a contract with them, and they handle the selection process as well as the lists of surface areas and quantities for your project. Then everything is delivered to the construction site on schedule, invoiced directly, and with appropriate logistics in the correct quantities. In other words, the tiler has minimal logistics effort and can focus on his core task, the installation. You will receive the cost estimate from the tiler.
Negotiating prices with the specialized retailer usually doesn’t work, as their prices are often the manufacturers’ list prices. Tilers generally don’t like to work with materials supplied by the customer because of logistics, incorrect quantities, warranty issues, and quality concerns. Smaller one-person businesses might make exceptions on request, but the larger the company, the less likely this is.
Often, specialized retailers offer tiered discounts to tilers based on the volume of tiles purchased. This means the tiler receives a commission at the end of the year, including for materials you buy. If there is any room for discounting at all, this would be the place to try, but given the current construction market, it’s doubtful. Haggling with specialized retailers is generally not possible.
Also, specialized retailers usually stock all the major manufacturers, so it doesn’t matter much which one you go to. The size of their showroom will vary, of course. Feel free to visit another showroom (even if your tiler doesn’t work with them) because you might find tiles you like that you didn’t see at the first showroom. Then ask your tiler if he can order those for you. That’s how we found our bathroom tiles, for example.
PS: my brother runs a tiling business.
cschiko schrieb:
Whereas €20 per square meter is not really the lowest segment.At a specialist dealer, it definitely is. The same tiles would probably cost €10 to €12 per m² (approximately $11 to $13 per sq ft) without the three-stage distribution at the DIY store, and on sale perhaps €7.99 per m² (about $8.50 per sq ft). That is indeed the lowest segment. You really can’t expect precisely sized, calibrated, slip-resistant, and flat tiles at that price. At €20 per m² (around $22 per sq ft) at the DIY store, you might get those qualities more often—but the tiler won’t always want to work with those, as I mentioned in my other reply.Showroom quality always costs a significant amount, whether in car dealerships, bathroom specialists, or tile suppliers...
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