| Pre quotation stage | | | | 3. How do you cut round the window? (if |
| I would firstly like to point out that I'm not aiming | | | | applicable). The answer should be something like; I |
| to patronise anybody with any of my writing | | | | centre the tiles to the window reveals and then |
| here, I'm simply extending my knowledge from | | | | cut to the corners of the room as they fall (if |
| inside the industry to enable the consumer to | | | | you have a tile handy it can be demonstrated |
| have more confidence to deal with any maybe | | | | there and then, it's always handy to have a |
| cowboys that enter their home or industry. The | | | | sample of the tile anyway so that the job can be |
| way I see it at the moment is, that a lot of | | | | priced according to the type of tiles to be fitted). |
| cowboy tradesmen are masquerading as | | | | 4. How is/are the floor/walls going to be laid out? |
| professionals behind logos written on vans, by so | | | | The answer should be something like, I centre the |
| called guilds and associations that only require a | | | | floor/ walls according to the obstacles at the |
| fee to join, and don't actually mean that they are | | | | edges and the position of pedestals (e.g. toilet |
| good tradesmen, so beware! Check them out | | | | basin), if these are removed anyway, then the |
| first before allowing them into your home, or go | | | | tiles would normally be centred to the room and |
| for personal recommendation only, where you can | | | | tiled out to the edges so as to avoid slivers at |
| see their work done for a friend or family. There | | | | the edges and in the corners. At this point, it's |
| are also some good recommended tradesmen | | | | good to agree which way round the tiles are |
| websites to check out, just be sure to check for | | | | going to face,and, if there are any patterns, |
| references, and try and find out the criteria | | | | borders to be fitted, or staggered joints. This |
| needed for them to register on there or their | | | | way, there will be no surprises for either party |
| affiliate membership association. Websites tell a | | | | when it comes to the start of the tiling itself, or |
| great story about who you are dealing with. | | | | at the time of billing when the price increases |
| Invaluable in my honest opinion. As a professional | | | | because the job has taken longer as a result of a |
| tiler, it's all too frustrating to see how many | | | | bespoke design. Use your imagination as much as |
| people are still hoodwinked into employing | | | | you like, a professional tiler can do almost any |
| cowboys who want to do the job for maximum | | | | design with tiles, provided you want to pay for it |
| profit with minimum care. | | | | of course, I find all too often that consumers are |
| Quotation stage | | | | sometimes told what they are going to have, |
| Assuming that you are happy with their | | | | there's no need, you have the choice! |
| credentials, or that, intuitively, the company | | | | 5. How do you finish the edges and corners? The |
| attitude feels correct, you are now at the point | | | | answer should be; silicon sealant to the floor |
| where it's necessary to make contact with the | | | | edges(only if up against skirting or tiled walls or |
| company/person. It's extremely difficult to get an | | | | left open if skirting is to be fitted over the tile |
| accurate quotation over the phone, as every | | | | edges), silicon sealant to all the internal wall |
| single job has different scenarios, in my opinion, | | | | corners and around the bath and tanking behind |
| it's essential for the company/tiler to survey the | | | | the bottom tiles over the bath (to prevent water |
| site prior to a quotation. | | | | ingress around bath edges). At this point you |
| On arrival at your premises, a professional, in my | | | | should agree whether you want tile trims to |
| opinion, would need to have a means of writing | | | | exposed edges and external corners also, as with |
| information down, some form of measuring | | | | some tiles, it's not necessary, and you may want |
| equipment, and a spirit level, at the very | | | | to have the exposed corners with the tile edges |
| minimum, to be able to provide an accurate and | | | | mitred together. I would also hope that the tiler |
| fair quotation, I would be very concerned if there | | | | would give you the option of silicon to match the |
| wasn't a tape measure to take basic | | | | tiles and grout as closely as possible too, it shows |
| measurements. I would also expect eye contact, | | | | conscientiousness. |
| and a good general demeanour, feeling | | | | 6. What colour grout can I have? The answer |
| comfortable with your tradesperson is important | | | | should be; I can find a matching grout for you or |
| for good communication later, should anything | | | | a close colour, or you can have whatever colour |
| crop up. If you feel intimidated, go elsewhere. You | | | | you like (there aren't many you can't have- even |
| may have to leave them in your house alone at | | | | sparkly pink is available). If you want to see a |
| some point, it's unavoidable sometimes, would you | | | | sample of the colour, most tile stores have grout |
| trust this person? | | | | swatches to look at, but, please bear in mind, that |
| When they/he/she have measured the area to | | | | special colours may be more expensive and take |
| be tiled, ask the following questions or similar, to | | | | a while to be delivered, compared to stock items. |
| establish their professionalism, and to get an idea | | | | It's a lot to think about and remember, but don't |
| of whether they know the correct procedure or | | | | worry if you have to read it from notes while the |
| not, you will understand the logical process of it all | | | | tiler is there, I never have a problem answering |
| by collecting information at this stage, and you | | | | questions, as I know my stuff and so should any |
| are more likely to get an accurate second opinion, | | | | other tiler that enters your house in my opinion, |
| if you need one. | | | | please don't hold back! I can pretty much say that |
| 1. How much preparation is necessary, and how | | | | after these questions, you will know your |
| long will it take? The answer should be something | | | | tradesperson and their abilities pretty well to |
| like; -x no. days to remove the tiles/wallpaper | | | | make an informed decision at this stage. I'm sure |
| paint; x days to re-board walls/floors or re-plaster | | | | they will have shown their true colours by now. |
| render to make good. (Sometimes it's necessary | | | | There are so many good tradespeople being |
| for the tiler to go away and think carefully, so he | | | | robbed of work by the less caring among us, I |
| she/they should say so at this point). They also | | | | feel with the experience I have gained over the |
| should have a rough idea of the time for the | | | | years, that it would be a shame to keep this |
| actual tiling work also at this point. | | | | knowledge from people, so I felt I had to share it |
| 2. Do you prime the surfaces before tiling? The | | | | with you, and I hope that you may be able to |
| answer should be something like; All surfaces that | | | | use this format for any trade that you employ to |
| need to be primed will be primed. | | | | work in your much treasured home in the future. |