ᐅ Tiles – Differences Between DIY Stores and Specialist Retailers?

Hello everyone,

we need to decide soon which tiles to install where.
When comparing tiles from a home improvement store and from a specialist supplier, there is quite a price difference.
We have already looked at both options. To us, they look the same except for some detailed appearance, so we wonder—what’s the catch with a bathroom tile for 20€ (about $22) and a porcelain stoneware tile for the terrace for 12€ (about $13)?
We were once told it’s about availability for later replacements. But do you usually keep some extra for repairs anyway?
I would really be interested to hear some opinions on this.
Is the higher price at specialist suppliers worth it, and if so, why?

In general, hardware stores are not necessarily a bad option, but later availability is not guaranteed. In specialized trade, the tile installer receives better conditions. Often, the customer pays the listed price, but waste or offcuts are included. Specialized trade is generally of higher quality and more consistent. There are often system solutions available as well. However, this topic is too abstract for a more detailed discussion here.

Okay, I'll try to clarify our question.

At first, we planned to hire a tile supplier who also handles the installation themselves — a one-stop solution. Now, however, both our architect and father-in-law say they each know a tiler from previous good experiences. Neither of them has a tile supply business; instead, they purchase the tiles themselves and then install them or install tiles that the client has supplied.

That sounds good at first.

Currently, we are leaning towards giving the potential tiler a tile choice, letting them source the required quantity, and then having them do the installation.

This concerns two bathrooms.

Later, the question arises of how to have the landscaper design the terrace. Essentially, it’s a similar issue.

Maybe this helps to better address our question.

You mention “higher quality,” “more coherent.”

But what does that mean?

I’m comparing it to my previous jobs. I rarely managed to sell a higher-priced device simply by claiming it was higher quality. Usually, this ended with a puzzled look and the sentence, “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

“Higher quality,” “more coherent”—there must be a reason or basis for that…

Tarnari schrieb:

You say higher quality, more coherent.
But what does that mean?

Those who know the difference can see it and usually choose the more expensive option.
If you don’t notice the difference between cheap and expensive, that’s fine… then just go for the more affordable option.

Visual differences, for example:
Mass-produced // individuality
Small repeat pattern // more variety in tile patterns
Printed pattern // custom pattern

I often see repeating patterns in wood imitation, and I also find printed patterns to look quite cheap… others don’t notice this: then just shrug and buy.
Usually, design affects the cost significantly: some have a good sense for always choosing the expensive designer option, others don’t see the difference.

Why do you want to store the materials on site so early?

In the end, the tiler might not install them, you have third-party materials, and no one can or wants to lay them for you^^

ypg schrieb:

Those who know the difference recognize it and usually choose the more expensive option.
If you don’t see the difference between cheap and expensive, that’s fine too… then just go for the more budget-friendly one.

Visual differences, for example:
Mass-produced // Individuality
Small repeat pattern // More tile pattern options
Printed pattern // Custom pattern

I often see frequent repeats in wood-look tiles, and I find printed patterns quite cheap… others don’t notice it: then just shrug and buy.
Most of the time, design influences the price. Some have a knack for always choosing the expensive designer option, others do not see the difference.

Honestly, this is hard for us to judge, especially since you can’t see them side by side.
It’s less about the money itself. Of course, everyone wants to save, but in the end it has to work. We are budgeting about 100€/m² (about $100 per square yard) including installation. That should allow us to find something reasonable.
Our question is, how is “higher quality” defined? Can you get the same performance from something less high-end? Appearance is irrelevant for now.
As another example, we currently have solid hardwood flooring that was quite expensive. One might assume that expensive means high quality, so this floor must be high quality. In fact, the opposite is true. The floor is a huge disappointment. It looks great, and everyone who sees it for the first time says “Wow.” But the constant need to remove stains, the splinters underfoot, etc., are problems only we know about.

HilfeHilfe schrieb:

Why do you want to stockpile the materials so early?

In the end, the tiler might not be able to install it, you have someone else’s materials, and nobody can or wants to lay it for you^^

I may have expressed myself unclearly.
The idea is to select something from the tile supplier, possibly together with the installer, then place an order that includes the chosen tiles and the required quantity (determined by the installer) as well as the installation costs. When the time comes, the installer picks up the tiles (or whenever) and brings them to the construction site when starting work. This way, we wouldn’t have any materials stored unnecessarily, and from our perspective, the installer would also be responsible for warranty in case of damage during transport, etc.
Is this approach unusual? Admittedly, this suggestion came from our architect, who said she has done this several times with “her” tiler.