Tiling Questions Answered | Paul the Tiler

Question 1

What type of work do you take on?

Accepted Answer

Good question to start with. What I do is high-quality residential wall and floor tiling — bathrooms, kitchens, large-format porcelain, feature walls and premium finishes. In most cases I'm the right fit if you want the job done well and to last.

Question 2

Do you offer re-grouting services?

Accepted Answer

This one comes up a lot, so it's worth explaining. Removing grout properly needs mechanical tools, and on older tiling there's a real risk of catching tile edges or disturbing what's already there — which would then become my problem to sort. Because of that, I don't take on standalone re-grouting as a rule. What I'd say is: if the grout has gone, it's often a sign that something else needs looking at anyway. I'm happy to talk through what's actually going on and point you in the right direction.

Question 3

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Mainly Warrington, Cheshire and South Manchester. If it's the right kind of project, I'm happy to travel a bit further — just get in touch and we'll see if it works.

Question 4

Do you do small jobs like splashbacks?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes — it depends on the job. Even smaller work needs proper prep and finishing, so it has to make sense to do it right. Send me a few photos and a quick description and I'll give you an honest answer.

Question 5

Do you quote per square metre or per day?

Accepted Answer

Most of the time I'll give you a fixed quote based on everything involved — prep, cuts, layout, finishing and so on. That way you know exactly what you're paying. For repairs or jobs where the prep is unknown, a day rate can make more sense. I'll let you know which approach suits your job when we speak. Starting labour rates and the online estimator are on the tiling cost guide at /tiling-cost-calculator/.

Question 6

Do you supply materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes — I bring everything needed for the job itself: adhesives, grout, trims, tanking systems, boards, levelling products and fixings. You source the tiles. If you're not sure what to get or want a second opinion before you buy, I'm happy to advise.

Question 7

What do you need from me to give a quote?

Accepted Answer

The more you can share, the better. Ideally: a few photos or a short video, rough dimensions, the tile size you're thinking of, and what's currently on the surface (tiles, boards, plaster, floor type). A postcode is useful too. From there I can usually come back with a clear quote or suggest a site visit.

Question 8

Do you provide written quotes?

Accepted Answer

Yes — always in writing, clear and itemised so you know exactly what's included.

Question 9

Can you tile over existing tiles?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, yes — but only if the existing tiles are completely solid, flat and well bonded. In my experience, taking the old tiles off and starting fresh usually gives a better long-term result. It means I can properly assess what's underneath and set things up the right way from the start. I'll always give you my honest recommendation based on what I see.

Question 10

Do you remove old tiles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that's something I can include as part of the job — removing wall or floor tiles and getting the surface ready for the new install.

Question 11

What happens if problems are found once tiles are removed?

Accepted Answer

This is worth knowing upfront. In older properties especially — particularly timber floors — things can sometimes only be seen once the existing tiles come off. How I approach it is: I price based on what's visible at the time of quoting, and if something unexpected turns up (like damaged plaster, movement in a floor, or a substrate that needs attention), I stop, explain what's there, and we agree on the next step together before anything else is done. No surprises, no costs added without your say-so.

Question 12

What about waste and rubble?

Accepted Answer

Old tiles are bulky and heavy — it's worth planning for it. I can usually arrange disposal, or if you've got a skip lined up that works too. We'll sort whatever makes most sense for the job.

Question 13

How far in advance are you booked?

Accepted Answer

It varies depending on the time of year — some periods book up quickly. It's usually worth getting in touch sooner rather than later, and I'll let you know the next available slot.

Question 14

Do you work alone or with a team?

Accepted Answer

I carry out all the tiling myself. On bigger projects I'll sometimes bring in a trusted labourer to help with the heavier prep and logistics, but the tiling and finishing is always done by me personally.

Question 15

What does TTA membership mean for you?

Accepted Answer

The Tile Association is the UK's main trade body for professional tiling contractors. Being a member means I've been vetted to meet industry standards, I work to recognised British Standards (BS 5385), and there's an independent body you can refer to if needed. It's not something every tiler has, and it takes time to be accepted. For you it's just another way of knowing the person doing your project takes their trade seriously.

Question 16

Are you fully insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes — I carry full public liability insurance. If you'd like to see the documentation, just ask.

Question 17

Does your guarantee cover structural movement?

Accepted Answer

My guarantee covers the workmanship itself. What it can't account for is things like structural movement in the building, deflection in timber floors, or issues that were there before I started. What I do is flag anything I'm not happy with during preparation — before tiling starts — so we can deal with it the right way.

Question 18

Do you offer a guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Yes — on the workmanship, with a few common-sense conditions attached. The main one is that the job needs to be built on a surface that's suitable for tiling. If there are underlying issues that need dealing with first — movement, a failed substrate, plumbing — we sort those before anything else. That way the guarantee actually means something.

Question 19

Do you do preparation and levelling?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and honestly, it's probably where most of my focus goes. In my experience, most tiling issues trace back to what's underneath rather than the tiles themselves. What I do is assess the substrate properly and sort it out before anything goes down — levelling, strengthening, decoupling, waterproofing — whatever the job actually needs.

Question 20

Can you match grout and silicone colours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's worth thinking about. The colour of the grout and silicone has a bigger effect on the finished look than most people expect. I can source colour-matched silicone and include it in the quote if that's something you'd like.

Question 21

Do you supply and install electric underfloor heating systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I can supply and fit electric underfloor heating as part of the floor build-up before tiling. How I do it is: lay the system out carefully, test it, then encapsulate it in levelling compound so there's a flat, protected surface ready for tiles. The only part I can't do is the final mains connection — that needs a Part P registered electrician to keep everything certified and compliant with building regs.

Question 22

Do you do wet rooms and waterproofing (tanking)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In any shower area or wet zone, waterproofing is a standard part of the job for me — not an add-on. I use proper tanking systems and follow manufacturer guidelines throughout. It's one of those things where cutting corners can cause issues down the line, so I don't.

Question 23

My shower is leaking — do you fix that?

Accepted Answer

I can look at it from the tiling and waterproofing side, but shower leaks can sometimes be plumbing-related too. If it's something like a loose tray or water coming through a ceiling, I'd usually suggest getting a plumber involved as well so the whole thing gets sorted properly in one go.

Question 24

How long will my job take?

Accepted Answer

It really does depend on the size and what prep is needed. A bathroom, for example, isn't just the tiling — there's layout planning, cuts, drying time, waterproofing, levelling, and finishing to factor in. Once I've had a look at the photos and details, I'll give you a realistic timeframe rather than just a vague estimate.

Question 25

How do I book you in?

Accepted Answer

Drop me a message with a few photos and a short description of what you're after. If it sounds like a good fit, we'll arrange a visit or I can quote from the information you've sent — whichever makes more sense. From there we'll agree dates and get it confirmed.

Question 26

Can you help me figure out how many tiles I need?

Accepted Answer

Yes, happy to help with that. If you send me the room measurements, the tile size you're going with, and which surfaces you're tiling, I'll work it out for you — including a sensible allowance for cuts and wastage.

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