tiling - how difficult?

andrewf75

Builders are just finishing off the kitchen but they are not tiling it. We thought we'd give it a go ourselves. But now I'm torn because while I'd like to try it and save a bit of cash, I'm also looking at our beautiful new kitchen and thinking I want it tiled nicely!

How hard is it? We only want a couple of tiles height around the worktops and then going higher for a splashback behind the hob and a windowsill as well.

How much would we be looking at to get a pro to do it?

dee4life2005

I've just been quoted 20/m^2 for tiling my bathroom by a top notch highly recommended tiler (by over a dozen friends / family). This was for about 30m^2 total using 300x600mm tiles.

I'd imagine the size of tiles, the number of cuts required etc. will all affect the price ... as well as where in the country you are.

Mojisola

If you're lucky and have the knack for it, it will go alright.

If you're not good, it will look awful and it will spoil the whole kitchen.

Crinkmeister

Sticking whole tiles on a flat wall is not difficult. It only gets complicated when there are electric sockets and cuts round windows. Cutting L shapes requires a tile saw - about 35 quid in B&Q. You need a diamond hole cutter if your electric socket fits within a tile, so that you can cut the middle out. Grouting is messy but easy too. Tile edging makes for a neat job. You need to mitre this at corners. Use plastic sheet taped over worktops to prevent adhesive and grout spoiling the finish. Don't forget a silicone bead between worktop and tile.

skivenov

Big areas and stuff like a single height along a worktop are pretty easy so long as you start off with a good level and a flat wall and recheck it as you go.

The art's in where you need a half tile at the end of the row, or need to go around something like a socket. That bit's not easy.

If it's a one-off though, by the time you've bought a decent tile cutter and paid retail for your adhesive and grout, you might be as well paying a tiler.

andrewf75

Thanks, yeah am leaning towards getting a tiler to do it. Having spent thousands another couple of hundred won't hurt!

wallbash

andrewf75 wrote: »

Thanks, yeah am leaning towards getting a tiler to do it. Having spent thousands another couple of hundred won't hurt!

Not a personal dig, but I am getting worried about the lack of interest in DIY , especially in the young. I had to tile my first bathroom at the tender age of ........ eleven!! Father took ill and we had no one to turn to. Looking back, had plenty of time as the tiles were there for well over thirty years, it was not a brilliant job, but it was acceptable.

andrewf75

wallbash wrote: »

Not a personal dig, but I am getting worried about the lack of interest in DIY , especially in the young. I had to tile my first bathroom at the tender age of ........ eleven!! Father took ill and we had no one to turn to. Looking back, had plenty of time as the tiles were there for well over thirty years, it was not a brilliant job, but it was acceptable.

This is why I would like to give it a go! I want to be able to do things like this and you have to start somewhere.

wallbash

Problem , was self inflicted
You have already spent a LOT of money on the kitchen and its not worth the gamble to mess it up now.
When I started with very little money, the choice was easy, DIY or wouldn't get done.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1186031 start at #1959


But that was about thirty years ago.

ps as for tiling, I started off cutting/breaking tiles with a hand tool and two matches. Nibbled pieces with a pair of pliers.
An electric wet wheel was a revelation.

united4eva

andrewf75 wrote: »

This is why I would like to give it a go! I want to be able to do things like this and you have to start somewhere.

Just go for it mate. Start off and see how it goes near one edge and then you will know if you're cut out for it or not.

With these forums, youtube and a plethora of online resources these days there is so much help out there you may as well try with the possibility of it paying off. If you dont like how it's going over a small area, you can always get the pro's in again with the benefit of now knowing.. Good luck!

I've done a few things in my house that the wife would have preferred to a get a pro in for but achieved very acceptable results Saved on my pocket, and learned some new things as was a first time for me on all of them.

Stooby2

Tile a bit of your garage or loft and see how easy/hard it is for you first. That way you can judge whether you want to take the risk in your expensive kitchen.

You can get dirt cheap tiles for practice in B&Q, Wickes etc.