OMO: Bathroom refit help!

Originally Posted by widepants

right heres a quick plan of what you need to do and things to think about........

All logical and I'd sort of realised most of them but the more I think about it the more I think it'd be something I'll start, screw up and end up living with because apathy wins, flawless victory!

Originally Posted by timwilky

My advise. get a pro in to tile it. It will be neater and quicker than anything you can do. And they can generally supply quality tiles cheaper than you can source them.

Originally Posted by specialone

A pro will do it in a third of the time and get over any rough walls a damn sight better than an amatuer.

Originally Posted by Owenski

Tiling is one of the few things I've never tried, and I'm happy to keep it that way

This is sounding like the better option rather than me ruining it. If I knocked up a quick layout plan (to scale of course) and select a nominal tile for pricing, would any of you mind giving me a quick estimate so I don't get done over if I do actually go out to tender on this?

I'd be even more grateful of an orger willing to take it on but I think most of you are too far away for it to be worthwhile.

Thanks for all the help, guidance and opinions so far, I really do appreciate these threads.

[widepants]

go for it

Cool, thanks for all the help.

Here goes, a rough plan:


Assuming its a quick calculation change I've got a couple of tile choices but just the first if its hassle. I realise I'm imposing on peoples time but am very grateful for the advice and help.

Tile choice 1: http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tprod107...oor-Tiles.html
2nd choice: http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tprod416...ile-30X30.html

Not set on the design/colour at the moment but the two ends of the square metre price budget I'm looking at.

Anything I've forgotten just let me know, I can put more dimensions on if needs be but I guessed the loo and sink were only needed to know that they would need dealing with whereas the bath reduces the area to be tiled.

Brett, those zamora tiles from Topps are a common tile, but porcelain.

Customers of mine have chose them on the walls and floor tons of times and they are a fecking nightmare to drill, i average around 10 mins per hole on these tiles, more if a bigger hole is required.

I normally leave the bath dimension in tbh as it allows for a bit of wastage, unless it takes you over a full box amount.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by specialone

Brett, those zamora tiles from Topps are a common tile, but porcelain.

Customers of mine have chose them on the walls and floor tons of times and they are a fecking nightmare to drill, i average around 10 mins per hole on these tiles, more if a bigger hole is required.

I normally leave the bath dimension in tbh as it allows for a bit of wastage, unless it takes you over a full box amount.

I had to drill a 45mm hole through a porcelain tile a few months ago took bloody ages!!!!
Oh and most if not all tilers will charge more for laying porcelain tiles than ceramic, I know I do!

[widepants]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

!!!!
Oh and most if not all tilers will charge more for laying porcelain tiles than ceramic, I know I do!

Why though. I can see the difference in adhesive and grout but the labour on the two is very similar

[dirtydog]

I dont charge loads more for porcelain but enough to cover the extra work/ costs involved.
Like you say there's the difference in cost of the adhesive and grout but then there is also the extra time for doing stuff like drilling holes for all the fittings. Drilling through a ceramic tile takes seconds and as special one says above you're looking at 10 mins a hole in porcelain which doesn't sound much until you start to add up how many holes
You'll drill in a bathroom that's got tiled floor and walls.
Toilet will have at least 4
Basin and pedestal 4
Radiator 4
Bath screen 4
Riser rail 2
Shower 2
Cabinet/mirror 4

So just with those you've got 2hours + of just drilling holes over ceramic tiles, longer if you've got bigger holes for water or waste pipes
Then there's the possibility of people wanting soap dishes/cups for their toothbrushes.

Factor in the cost of a new cutting wheel in the wet cutter and probably a new drill bit by the time you've finished and it all adds up.

[widepants]

standard porcelain are fine , its the vitrified ones that cause the problems