Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Aug 11, 2009 7:35 pm In Adelaide tilers charge around $40 to $45 per square metre. Plust the cost of actual tiles lets say around $50 (for something decent). Which adds up to almost $100 per square metre Has anyone done or is tempted to do their own tiling? Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 3Aug 11, 2009 7:53 pm Its not too hard - but its quite messy. I've done a bit of tiling over the years. You need to think the layout and strating point through carefully as well as ensuring level/plumb/square etc It depends how much time you have on your hands, I had a tiler mate just do my bathroom whilst I was on holidays and it was worth every cent (mind you he did it quite cheap) Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 4Aug 11, 2009 8:03 pm I've done a couple of floors and walls. As fazmac and Dukekamaya have said - it isn't particularly hard and even easier if you have the right tools - makes a world of difference! The good thing is, you can really plan out the whole job and line things up the way you want. I've often noticed professional tilers make all sorts of strange decisions about where cut lines should go and don't bother to line things up where they really should. It's probably to save time from an installation POV but while well-thought out tiling looks great, quick and dirty looks, well, quick and dirty! Kylie Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 5Aug 11, 2009 8:34 pm Yep! Done it too. Just as the other posters have stated "if you have the right tools" makes life a whole lot easier. Might be worth your while looking at some plastering websites, in particular CSR. also they normally have explanatory leaflets covering this sort of topic. Good luck Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 6Aug 11, 2009 9:58 pm I think tile size can make the difference between easy & not so easy - obviously smaller tiles would be easier. Perhaps have a go in an area that won't matter too much & see what you think. Not sure if Bunnings have a weekend tiling workshop/demo, but might be worth checking that out too. We don't have a lot of spare time or experience with laying tiles, so we are paying to have it done professionally. OH is a bit of a perfectionist & knows that if he did the work he most likley wouldn't be happy with the finished result. Good luck. HH Life's too short too drink bad wine Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 7Aug 12, 2009 11:32 pm its easy and fun but buy 20% more tiles to allow for bad cutting even the experienced tilers want 10% extra if you cant afford to buy a tile cutter bunnings have one for hire and they are so easy to use if the tiles arent too thick you can buy a half decent 1 for under $100 thats electric not a hand one stay safe happy building Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 8Aug 13, 2009 11:58 am I ended up paying for a tiler to do my house. My i agree tiling can be easier it depends on how difficult the situation is. For example in a bad or difficult job a prefessional tiler will probablt get good results. In an easy job it may not make much different. What makes a hard job hard?? - Uneven floors/ walls even slightly (no slab or wall is perfect) if you think it is then you have low expectations -Large heavy tiles (my tiles weighed over 8kg each. -Also tiled shower floors can be difficult. -Porcilian tiles are more difficult because of the rectified edges. Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 10Aug 18, 2009 12:35 am Howdy Yes I would say it is hard yakka if you have a variety of rooms first of all need the right tiles and tools and know how to use them safely is rule #1 Then there are tricky areas like bathrooms and toilets. You need tiles notched trowel 5 or 8 or 10 to 12mm buckets lots sponges cement or adhesive mix cement mixer and a large drill to acomodate the bit grout grout float knee pads rags, quite a few old rags few pairs of good gloves angle grinder for those tricky corners and curved cuts. (now this is one of the most dangerous tools if you do not know how to use it properly and with the right attachments) tile cutter or a wet saw cutter. spirit level a flat piece of timer rubber mallet Good luck! Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 11Aug 31, 2009 9:32 pm yup done it (take a look at my building blog if you want to have a look at the pics) also if the wet area has a sloped floor smaller tiles are easier to work with. measure and think very hard where you want the grout lines. also when grouting (or building any sloped floors) the sand/cement will very quickly wear your skin off if it gets inbedded into your clothes and will take your finger tips if your not wearing gloves (I suggest wearing Nitrile surgical gloves as it will protect your skin, allow you to put your hands in water and keep the dexterity in your fingers) To add to what "grinder" said, you will need a dimond blade for your grinder (it is a bit easier on the tiles) and the mixer metioned can be found under "paint accesories" and is sometimes called a mixing paddle. Have fun My Owner still Building thread viewtopic.php?t=9026 Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 12Aug 31, 2009 9:46 pm easily enough done - have a crack. keep it straight, square, level and simple. ’’Quondo Omni Flunkus Mortati ’’ If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Stila BK1 Build Thread The best place to talk about sport Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 13Oct 13, 2009 7:16 pm I also once did it and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. It is definitely true that you need the right tools for it. I decided to hire the tools because I did not want to buy them because I would not use them very often. In the end I was very happy that I did it myself because it was cheaper and actually a lot of fun. Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 14Oct 13, 2009 7:45 pm a word to the wise - wash off any tile glue before it dries. if left to dry it will give you a brazillian from your toes to the back of your neck ’’Quondo Omni Flunkus Mortati ’’ If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Stila BK1 Build Thread The best place to talk about sport Re: Anyone tempted to do their own tiling (wet areas)? 15Oct 13, 2009 8:02 pm A few yes Where you are coming from is where you are going to... All sorted guys. Just needed to buy a blade with the correct bush. Dunno how to delete this post, can't find any help file. Cheers. 1 3657 Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20354 Looking to tile the facade pillars rather than rendering. Builder is quoting 2500$ laying cost for upto 10msq. The 2 pillars come to be 16msq. So laying costs are 5000$… 0 7524 |