ᐅ Surcharge for Installing Large-Format Tiles

kbt09 schrieb:
Well, at the local tile dealer, I was able to take various tile samples with me and test them first in the apartment’s lighting, compare them with my furniture, the planned wallpapers, and so on.

This is not relevant for us, as the tiles are chosen before any groundwork has even started.

We initially thought there was time for that, but once we realized it was important for the lighting planner, the kitchen planner, the painter, and others, we selected something. The staircase also needs to be ordered soon by the general contractor. Even the type of staircase is connected in some way to the chosen floor coverings.

It’s unbelievable how high the prices are here.
Our 80x80 cm (31x31 inches) Kermos grey matt tiles cost 28€ net per square meter. The installation, including alignment wedges, cost 30€ net without baseboards, including grouting.
It’s really outrageous how some people are being overcharged here.

R.Hotzenplotz schrieb:
This is not relevant for us, as the tiles are chosen before any earthworks have even started.

We also initially thought it could wait, but when we realized it was important for the lighting designer, kitchen planner, painter, etc., we made a selection. The staircase also needs to be ordered soon from the general contractor. Even the type of staircase is somehow related to the chosen floor coverings.

It seems something is being handled incorrectly on your end. Good or bad if the general contractor believes the surface finish of the staircase must be decided this early. Why is that necessary? No one really cares about the wood color of your railing or steps at this stage. Of course, you need to specify the staircase type - wood, steel, or concrete.

Tiles are usually selected only after the shell construction is complete. Kerstin explained the reason earlier: daylight exposure.

So this should be relevant for you — at least it ought to be! But when someone is asking for a large payment upfront, they may feel the need to create a sense of urgency for the customer.

ypg schrieb:
Tiles are usually chosen only after the shell construction is completed. Kerstin mentioned the reason earlier: natural light exposure.

So, would you order a kitchen without even knowing whether you will have light or dark tiles? You need to order the kitchen to get the installation plans.

The lighting planner also said he needs to know this; otherwise, he can't do his work. And without the lighting plan, the electrician cannot be contracted either. This is necessary so that the spot holes can be made in the concrete ceilings, which have already been commissioned. So, it’s all connected.

You don’t need to order the kitchen to get the installation plans. You should have an idea of what you want, and then you can create the installation plan yourself, or simply pay for it separately at a kitchen showroom with the option to offset the cost when ordering the kitchen.

Even if you order a kitchen now, the manufacturer will only start production after the shell construction has been measured on site. Until then, you can still change fronts, colors, and so on.

And as long as no construction work has started, you can still adjust the final placement of power outlets and so forth.

If you want ceiling light fixtures and have wanted them all along, I have to honestly say I’m a bit surprised that the house planning itself hasn’t already included more realistic placement based on the furniture layout.

Putting that aside, I personally knew exactly which type of staircase, which railing, where to place reading lamps, and where the tall cabinets would be during and after the planning phase.

On one hand, you have your personal taste, and on the other, you plan back and forth, trying to imagine alternative materials. But even more than that: I know my furniture and understand what qualities I value when acquiring new pieces—colorful individual items alongside neutral minimalism.

That’s why there is a white kitchen. Tiles definitely need to be durable, so no white or black. The staircase must complement the fireplace and windows (fundamental considerations). Then there is the countertop again.

During planning, I knew which wall needed to be accentuated and which one should remain passively white.

However, all materials are still adjustable and can accompany us as samples throughout the construction period.