Impossible Finding a Tiler at a Reasonable Price

Ltunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 14:20
Last edited 24/09/2024 - 14:29 by 1 other user

I have a small floor tiling project - 10sqm.

I'm struggling to find a tiler (at a reasonable price) for the work in Sydney.

Are tilers really making $1000+/day?

I understand there's some complexities to my job but most people are saying they can do the work in 2 days, so when you back out the daily labour rate it comes to $1000-1500/day. Most of the tilers are one-man outfits. Some say they'll use a labourer, others will do the job solo. What gives?

tldr; Does $2500-$3500 for a 2 day 10sqm tiling job seem nuts or did tilers start minting money at some point and everyone else just missed the boat?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • MS Paint on 24/09/2024 - 14:22
    +112

    Are tilers really making $1000+/day?

    Yes. As revenue. It's not all profit. That raptor pulling twin jet skis doesn't pay for itself

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 24/09/2024 - 14:24
    +33

    10sqm

    Prob so much work atm they can afford to just fob you off with a ‘I don’t want it’ quote

      • Tony-Abbott on 24/09/2024 - 14:45
        +23

        Yep, they are.
        Why? Cause they can. Not enough competition

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 24/09/2024 - 14:49
        +9

        maybe

        even if its a 1 man band , taking your example 1k/ day is only like $142/hr assuming 7 hours billlable.

        I know tilers, concreters, brickies and painters are looked down upon by the upper echelon of trades like sparkies or chippies, but realistically running a trade business assuming they have the relevant license, have good work ethic and skill to do a good finish to the job, insurance, paying themselves a liveable wage etc is really the bare minimum they should be running at.

          • Jimothy Wongingtons on 24/09/2024 - 15:27
            +30

            @tunafish007: didnt neg you but if you can find a licensed electrical contractor for $50-60/hr , by all means share the details - im sure plenty of people here would love to hit them up for work, assuming they werent already drowning in work.

            • drprox on 25/09/2024 - 09:17
              +2

              @Jimothy Wongingtons: Lol yep I pay my guy heaps but know what? He shows up on time, takes my calls and does a good job. That's enough boxes ticked for me.

          • brad1-8tsi on 24/09/2024 - 15:28
            +10

            @tunafish007:

            I can hire a sparkie any day of the week for $50-60/hour.

            I don't see how this is possible for a tradie running proper books, insurance, etc. Our "maintenance partner" was paying our FT sparkies $35/hr in 2019. That was ~$70-$75 after overheads.

            I organise the repairs/maintenance for our strata. We pay $120/hr for people that answer the phone when called, turn up on time, clean up after themselves, do the job properly the first time, etc.

            • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 15:43
              -1

              @brad1-8tsi:

              I don't see how this is possible for a tradie running proper books, insurance, etc

              Hop on airtasker - plenty of licensed sparkies ready to work.

              insurance

              Insurance isn't actually a substantial cost of business. I ran a few quotes - workers comp 5k/year (200k wages) and public liability 1k/year.

              Tradies aren't neurosurgeons.

              • CurlCurl on 24/09/2024 - 15:58

                @tunafish007: Of the medical specialists, neurosurgeons were the highest paid with an average of $604,582, followed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons at $568,439 and ophthalmologists at $592,414. Qualifications: Complete an accredited medical degree at university. Work in a clinical setting for two to three years.

                That's $11,626 a week.

                • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 16:02
                  +5

                  @CurlCurl: @CurlCurl What's your point?

                  Medical indemnity insurance isn't a significant cost of business for doctors either (in proportion to their income).

                  People just like using excuses like Insurance and taxes to justify their stupid prices. They should just go with "rent" - that's the much bigger cost for any business. Oh wait, most tradies don't pay any rent. Just car payments on their raptors.

                  • kiwimex on 24/09/2024 - 23:12
                    -8

                    @tunafish007: Best to stop commenting and not look so foolish….then again keep going and remove all doubt!

                  • justworld on 25/09/2024 - 11:04
                    +2

                    @tunafish007: "Medical indemnity insurance isn't a significant cost of business for doctors either (in proportion to their income)."

                    It's a good 2% of their income which I consider very significant. If your pay rise went from 4% down to 2% I bet you'd consider it a significant change.

                    I'm self-employed and registration, insurance, office rent, and professional membership fees come out to around $35K a year which is not insignificant. Plus I have to reduce my gross billings by 20% to account for GST payable and superannuation forgone.

                    • jackspratt on 25/09/2024 - 16:46
                      +1

                      @justworld:

                      …..registration, insurance, office rent, and professional membership fees come out to around $35K a year which is not insignificant.

                      But is deductible of course.

                • BathRobe on 25/09/2024 - 09:52
                  +10

                  @CurlCurl: If you think 2-3 years clinical training allows you to become any of the specialties listed (and paid at that level) you are sadly misinformed.

                  10-15+ years clinical training would be considered average I would imagine.

                  • CurlCurl on 25/09/2024 - 09:56
                    +1

                    @BathRobe: You are shooting the messenger.

                  • ttt888 on 25/09/2024 - 17:15
                    -2

                    @BathRobe: That's the problem to be a doctor they take years and then specialist even more years.

                    All the training u would think they be good but they lost their moral compass.

                    Because I study so hard I deserve 600k a year specialist salary else don't bother me.

                    • justworld on 25/09/2024 - 23:41

                      @ttt888: That sounds about right to me. If they wanted to earn $200k-$300k a year they could have been a GP or taken any other bog average upper middle class job.

                      If you want a surgeon then you gotta pay the big bucks. Welcome to life.

                • Hangryuman on 26/09/2024 - 18:06
                  +1

                  @CurlCurl: the downside of being a neurosurgeon is the cost of ?5-6 years of study earning zip from that - followed by maybe another 5-6 years of specialist training - then once fully qualified there is probably annual retraining certification to keep up to date - so not for 99% of folkz - I failed first year medicine (because I didn't study, but that's a different story)

                  these days it sounds like tradies can earn $200K within 10-12 years if they are willing to work

                  so take away say 5 years x $200K and your neurosurgeon may be starting $1M behind the tradie after 10 years ? Hard to raise that cash BEFORE you start earning an income …

                  oh - I didn't include the cost of the studies - wot, another $200K ? (I'm making these figures up - others can correct ;-)

              • RTX9090Ti on 26/09/2024 - 17:33
                +1

                @tunafish007: no they aren't, they are those who cannot find office job due to their lack of interpersonal skills and other major skills. they mostly uneducated and some are ex-con.
                any office workers can become tradies, its very easy, you can learn those stuff in TAFE and get yourself certified.

            • 2esc on 25/09/2024 - 09:59

              @brad1-8tsi: Why is it not possible? Their are heaps of different businees out their doing it right now that have very similar insurance etc requirements and making a living.

              • brendanm on 25/09/2024 - 10:39
                +3

                @2esc: For $50-60 an hour? Theyd be better off working at Woolies after deducting all the costs.

          • MS Paint on 24/09/2024 - 15:40
            +7

            @tunafish007: Phone number for your unicorn sparkie please.

            • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 16:56

              @MS Paint: Yep, I need cable run through for an induction cooktop, send through their number.

            • humdingaling on 25/09/2024 - 09:33

              @MS Paint: needs to be posted as deal !

          • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 16:54
            +23

            @tunafish007:

            I have a phd and don't get paid anywhere close to that

            Congratulations, you've now discovered that you aren't remunerated solely based on the amount of education you've paid for, but your usefulness.

            That PhD in breakdancing just isn't worth as much as it used to be.

          • ihbh on 24/09/2024 - 18:23
            +2

            @tunafish007:

            I have a phd

            So what. Is it in demand is the key?

          • justworld on 25/09/2024 - 11:01
            +1

            @tunafish007: $50-$60/hour less GST and superannuation (which you'd have to pay yourself) is $40-$50/hour. Why would you even other at those rates. May as well stack shelves.

            Not sure why your PhD is relevant as a PhD simply tells me you're an academic, which has nothing to do with the economic value of your output. In my field (law) all you need is an LLB - a Master's is seen as an unnecessary affectation and a PhD is unheard of unless you want to be a professor. Getting a master's or PhD will actively decrease your earning capacity, not to mention the opportunity cost of the degree.

            • qvinto on 26/09/2024 - 09:00
              -1

              @justworld: "In my field (law) all you need is an LLB - a Master's is seen as an unnecessary affectation"

              so much like a soul and ethical standards?

              • justworld on 26/09/2024 - 11:36
                -1

                @qvinto: Who hurt you? Show me on the doll where the lawyer poked you.

            • kabammi on 26/09/2024 - 13:22

              @justworld: I think he's using it as a measure of specialisation and uniqueness. It isn't a trade though so means nothing in this context.
              What it does say is that he's not really applying his training as a Ph.D. Someone with a phd is usually damn good at research (that's what you're trained to do), and there's no shortage of information out there on how to do tiling. Just research it. That's how I put my Ph.D. to work around the house, I need something done and figure out how to do it using the mountains of resources online and talking to people. Then I work out what the standards and codes are so that anything I attempt to do wont damage my house, the people inside it, or the wider environment around it. If I can't do it, I'll get someone who can. Or I'll do it, and get someone to have a look at the work I've done and if they're happy with it, sign off on it, or if not, fix it.

          • PVA on 26/09/2024 - 18:25

            @tunafish007: I hope that electrician is on the Gold Coast. Let me know there name please.
            Only a few weeks back the cheapest one to install 2 ceiling fans (replace old ones, power all run etc) was $320 for 1 hour, just labour.
            Beacon, where we bought the fans has electricians, they are $280 per fan for the install.

          • GrueHunter on 26/09/2024 - 18:45

            @tunafish007:

            I have a phd and don't get paid anywhere close to that.

            You're this close to getting it

        • DrScavenger on 25/09/2024 - 17:11
          +2

          Except we don't show the same appreciation to other occupations. In Australia, tradies get EVERYTHING. It doesn't make sense for our children to be anything other than tradies

        • nikey2k27 on 26/09/2024 - 21:08

          same here but all older trades.

  • seraphim2017 on 24/09/2024 - 14:50
    +5

    Yes getting trades that are good is hard. No I'm not a trade/skilled.

    BUT.

    The quote might be high if they have spent a bit of time already quoting, they'd have licenses (?), insurance materials, tools, depreciation, they don't get lunches, sick pay or super, they pay tax etc. So their $1000 a day isn't $1000 salary x 365 = WOW, it's probably $500 a day after everything has been accounted for and averaging 4 days work a week of paid work plus a day of effectively unpaid quoting, business management that is enquired but not generating the $,(all figures pulled from the air) that 2k a week is 100k a year ,a good salary but not an extreme one, for a job hard enough to do well that you'd pay a professional who understands falls, angles and heights etc. If they have an offsider, they have to pay them too.

    Of course, you pay the same rates for cowboys and therein lies the rub,but go by word of mouth recommendations for people whose work and quality IS their advertising and the extra $ difference between a bodge and a good job will be worth the $. Or, learn to tile like a pro and save/make a fortune!

      • coffeeinmyveins on 24/09/2024 - 16:07
        +7

        A few guys came to inspect the job. Most just plucked a figure out of their a*** after seeing a few pics.

        What do you want? A six month project plan?

        • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 17:00
          -3

          A six month project plan?

          Any quote that doesn't imply a rate of $1000-1500/day for their labour.

          • MS Paint on 24/09/2024 - 17:06
            +3

            @tunafish007: As most people on ozbargain earn over $200k (search poll results) $1k per day is pretty much the going rate for most people that aren't tradies.

            • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 17:07
              -5

              @MS Paint:

              $1k per day is pretty much the going rate for most people that aren't tradies.

              Exactly - so how did we finish up in a society where these f***ers are making more than teachers/nurses/etc.

              • MS Paint on 24/09/2024 - 17:10
                -1

                @tunafish007: When you subtract their overheads that a 9-5 PAYG employee doesn't have there isn't a huge difference.

                There was a nurse on here a few years ago making $300k plus pa.

                • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 17:17
                  -4

                  @MS Paint:

                  When you subtract their overheads

                  I don't know what you're estimating as their overheads, but it's not 30-50%.

                  There was a nurse on here a few years ago making $300k plus pa.

                  There's cops making 300k too … but their either very high up or on the take.

                • morse on 25/09/2024 - 04:08
                  +2

                  @MS Paint: I like the way when that nurse posted most people ripped into them saying it was BS but now they are quoted as an example of what a nurse earns.

                  For an nurse to earn that they are either an executive in a large hospital or health service or they are pulling a heap of over time and weekends, so then their actual hourly rate isn’t comparable to what OP is saying the going rate for a tiler is.

              • coffeeinmyveins on 24/09/2024 - 17:50
                +9

                @tunafish007: You clearly lack the basic understanding of the difference between revenue and profit
                You also seem to undervalue the experience of a trade and are comparing it to mowing lawn

                If it's too expensive for you then do it yourself instead of complaining to us

                Report back when you've messed it up and had to hire a professional

                  • coffeeinmyveins on 24/09/2024 - 17:51
                    +13

                    @tunafish007: Then become one and be rich in your fantasy world

                    • Chandler on 26/09/2024 - 21:28

                      @coffeeinmyveins: Personally I'd be inclined to, but can't afford the pay cut to go through the apprenticeship and experience/portfolio/customer building stages.

                  • CalmLemons on 25/09/2024 - 20:10
                    +3

                    @tunafish007: Mate.

                    I'm not a tradie, but I can confidently say, it's not the project they're pricing, it's the person.

                    No one does a 2 day project in the hopes they can make $600 in total after costs.

                    The bare minimum run rate of revenue is $800 per day.

                    It is hard out there atm, the best way is to make yourself seem like less of a potential pain in the arse client.

                    Contractors are very good at judging who is going to be a problem.

                • DrScavenger on 25/09/2024 - 17:22
                  +1

                  @coffeeinmyveins: We need to bring people from overseas to cheapen the ridiculous cost of tradies

                • hazzad on 25/09/2024 - 19:28
                  +3

                  @coffeeinmyveins: Your acting like a tiler has some special qualifications. I mean seriously, the only real skill involved is cutting tiles and levelling them to a room. Not like they went to uni for 3-4 years to learn that. People with uni degrees can and do earn less per day. Sure some trades do require more skill and education to perform their jobs. ie sparkies. But many trades are simply a case of grunt work and knowing how to do a thing or two very well. The main driver of pricing in trades in recent times is lack of trades available. With goverments driving so much development, a large % of the trade pool have moved into those roles, leaving a significantly smaller pool of trades available. Which is turn has created a shortage of trades who can then name their price as people have no option to accept or keep looking until they find someone they can afford.

              • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 18:10
                +2

                @tunafish007: Teachers and nurses are getting paid a fixed rate by the government. These tilers are working for themselves and charging what the market will bear.

          • OzBrogains on 26/09/2024 - 11:01
            -1

            @tunafish007: Enjoy your slab of concrete then buddy

          • johnno07 on 27/09/2024 - 22:43

            @tunafish007:

            Any quote that doesn't imply a rate of $1000-1500/day for their labour.

            FYI the material cost of tiling is pretty expensive. I don't mean the tiles, but waterproofing membrane, adhesive, silicone, grout, cement, sand etc. The tools to cut big tiles are expensive.

            On top of this, tiling is hard yakka and a true learned skill. There is a million miles between a good and bad tiling job, and it's likely to be the most visible part of your renovation.

            I got a couple of quotes for a reasonably big bathroom job recently, they were in the $5000-$7000 range. I thought that sounded ridiculous. After spending a couple of weeks of my spare time researching how to waterproof and tile, and figuring out how many thousands of dollars of goop I was going to have buy, I decided to just pay the bloke $5000. After watching him slave away for a week, meticulously laying over 1000 tiles floor to ceiling, I was extremely happy with my decision.

      • brendanm on 24/09/2024 - 16:57
        +7

        I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're a tradie.

        Man they hand out PhDs to anyone these days, the guy you replied to literally stated that he is not a tradie.

      • seraphim2017 on 24/09/2024 - 19:04
        +2

        No, not a tradie, and also struggle with finding good quality trades.

        You do sound angry though, I do feel for you. We've just had a large(ish) job done and we had to badger the tradie who was supposed to be project managing more often than we wanted but eventually the job got completed.

        I'm not skilled in trades, don't have an aptitude for it. I work in a different environment, but I also don't look down on people who are, and good for them if they want to be in hock for the latest ute jetski etc. Not of interest to me. They have skills I don't have, and they can charge what the market will support I guess.

        As said, if the price is too high, do the job yourself and work out how much time effort vs outcome it gives. I decided to pay for a much better finish than I could achieve for my time instead, although I'd agree it can be hard to know the good from the not so good trades.

        Good luck with the job.

        • DrScavenger on 25/09/2024 - 17:27
          -1

          Rest of the people don't get paid what they deserve. No reason for anyone to be anything other than a tradie. I can pick up and be a tradie, my arms are working. But not every tradie can do what some jobs do yet they are paid much higher.

  • JMosk on 24/09/2024 - 15:01
    +2

    What do you imagine is a reasonable price?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 24/09/2024 - 16:13
      +4

      Probably $250 because they think they can do it in half a day

  • altomic on 24/09/2024 - 15:09
    +8

    I needed a tiler to my kitchen splashback in my old house.

    I did all the prep - strip walls of old tiles + grout, etc, removed power points (which were being upgraded), etc.

    I also supplied the tiles + grout

    reasonably small job -3 walls ~ 50cm high, using regular subway tiles.

    tiler just had to come in lay the tiles nicely (some required cutting) and then the next day he came back to do the grout.

    and then I did all the clean up, etc.

    I think it was about $300.

    I got him through airtasker. he was a local so he dropped in after work before quoting. he just looked at my kitchen and said $300.

    • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 15:12

      Do you want to DM me his number? jk - it looks like you're in brisbane.

      I think it was about $300.

      Heck at those rates, I could pay him to do all the work and still have change from 2k.

      • fullmetal on 24/09/2024 - 20:02
        +8

        You should fly him over

        • michaelTito on 26/09/2024 - 13:47

          he should do it himself. will save over $2999

    • blackfrancis75 on 25/09/2024 - 09:49
      +2

      To be fair, I think we should acknowledge that you were fortunate.

      I've had a lot of various jobs done by AirTaskers; and I've dealt with the best and the worst. Sure, AT can be a fantastic resource if you 'get lucky' and find a skilled, ethical tradesperson; but that is not the norm.

      • liongalahad on 26/09/2024 - 00:21

        I always try and go with people on AT with high ratings and completion rate, even though they may cost a tad more than other quotes on AT (but still less than if I quoted a job outside of AT). So far so good.

  • EightImmortals on 24/09/2024 - 15:14
    +3

    Go to TAFE, become a tiler. Bank!

  • onetwothreefour on 24/09/2024 - 15:36
    +16

    Tiling is not too hard if you watch a few youtube vids, you may not do as good a job as a professional but better than paying $3k. Give it a go, what's the worst that can happen?

    • MS Paint on 24/09/2024 - 15:43
      +42

      People with a PhD don't DIY tile. They also get butt hurt when a tradie is making more than them. That's my take away from this thread

      • CurlCurl on 24/09/2024 - 15:54
        -1

        What's a PhD worth besides gloating about it here?

        My guess is a big Mack and a small fries.

      • JIMB0 on 24/09/2024 - 20:23
        -1

        A lot of these academics have no idea about the real world and practical things.

        • qvinto on 26/09/2024 - 09:04
          +8

          Just like a lot of people have no idea about what academics do and what skills they have

          • Hangryuman on 26/09/2024 - 18:09

            @qvinto: yeah - those people that can read - they think they're better than me … !?!?

          • CurlCurl on 26/09/2024 - 18:47
            -2

            @qvinto: The current QLD Premier has a PhD.

            Annastacia Palaszczuk holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, a Master of Arts (Hons) from the University of London, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University.

            Enough said.

      • DrScavenger on 25/09/2024 - 17:30
        +3

        Let's see if those tradies can get a Phd. Australia doesn't value intellectualism. Tradies are kings here

        • brendanm on 25/09/2024 - 18:23
          +3

          Australia values usable skills. A PhD in something useful is valued. A PhD in breakdancing is not valued.

          • DrScavenger on 25/09/2024 - 20:29

            @brendanm: phd in anything is ridiculously hard to get

            • brendanm on 26/09/2024 - 09:01

              @DrScavenger: Hard to get does not mean it is of any use.

            • qvinto on 26/09/2024 - 09:06
              +1

              @DrScavenger: I wouldn't say in anything. Social "science" stuff like history of breakdancing is a joke compared to hard sciences like physics, maths, medicine etc.

          • liongalahad on 26/09/2024 - 00:26
            +1

            @brendanm: Define "useful". Sometimes knowledge fort he sake of it may be classified as non-useful, but can be extremely important nonetheless.
            Having said that, I agree with you on the ridicolousness of a PhD in breadancing lol

            • brendanm on 26/09/2024 - 09:07

              @liongalahad: You just answered your own question. Have a look at what sort of topics are given research grants in this country. How do Australian mosques compare to the great mosques. Gender roles in jazz. Queer aboriginal musicians in Queensland. None of these things are helpful, they are complete self entitled wankery. This was all.higjlightwd very well with raygun, her useless thesis, her absolutely lack of talent, and crap attitude.

              On the other hand, if people are researching a new treatment for MS, non-drug treatments for schizophrenia, etc, people can see the value in that. It is providing value to the community.

              • liongalahad on 26/09/2024 - 18:00

                @brendanm: I totally agree with you. The issue is who determines what's useful and what's useless?
                I agree that something like "Queer aboriginal musicians in Queensland" is pretty much useless, even laughable, and most people would probably agree.
                But a PhD in, say, Calculus, or Physics, their usefulness could still be questioned by some ignorants who see no use for them in their daily life of lollipop men or something.

          • jackspratt on 26/09/2024 - 01:02
            -1

            @brendanm: Who is this mysterious person who has a PhD in breakdancing?

      • qvinto on 26/09/2024 - 09:03
        +3

        I have a PhD and have done my own tiling and plumbing work. Most tradie work can be replaced with DYI if you have the time, it' not particularly difficult

        • MS Paint on 26/09/2024 - 09:14

          There is of course an exception to every rule.

        • webtonmoy on 26/09/2024 - 23:19

          High-five, mate.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2024 - 23:32
          -2

          @qvinto - “Most tradie work can be replaced by DIY” - That’s absolute nonsense. I’m sure you’re proud of your work, and I have no doubt that truly believe it’s good quality work, however that doesn’t make it true. Perhaps you should build an entire house and your true skills and the quality your work will be revealed then… I don’t think you’ll be saying after it that “most tradie work can be replaced be DIY”.

          I remember roughly 10 years ago my step brother (Dad’s wife’s youngest son) asked for my dad’s help with a project, they worked on it together because it was my step brothers house, my step brother thought he was a know it all and didn’t listen to dad’s expert advice from his decades of experience in the industry as carpenter and builder, and tried to take charge, dad let him do it the way he wanted and my step brother fooked it up. Afterwards dad said he would never do any work for him again and he hasn’t since. You sound just like my step brother.

          If you truly were educated and smart, you wouldn’t be on the internet posting on social media and discussion forums commenting in topics like this in the first place. Intelligent people use their time much more wisely to make more money, they certainly don’t waste it in threads like this.

          • qvinto on 27/09/2024 - 08:35

            @[Deactivated]: "Intelligent people use their time much more wisely to make more money, they certainly don’t waste it in threads like this." No worries, i will disregard your opinion as you must be a non-intelligent time-wasting person then.

            • [Deactivated] on 27/09/2024 - 09:42
              -2

              @qvinto: Not responding at all would have been a better way to show your intelligence, instead you have shown your lack of intelligence and have supported my point that people who spend time online discussing topics like this do waste their time rather than using the time much more wisely and productively, to make more money.

              My comment was meaning that I’m also an unintelligent fool for wasting my time commenting on here… So here we are, 2 unintelligent idiots who both think we are smarter than we really are 🤷‍♂️

    • tunafish007 on 24/09/2024 - 15:46
      -5

      Tiling is not too hard if you watch a few youtube vids

      Trust me - I've seen hours of them.

      Heck, I know more about tiling glues, levelling compounds, screeds, etc than most of the guys quoting on the job.

      You'd be surprised how many guys refuse to use self levelling compound or quick dry glue because it's "too expensive". Dumbf*** haven't realized how expensive their labour is and a bag of glue is nothing.

      what's the worst that can happen?

      I blow 1k on tools (can probably break even if I buy used and sell them afterwards), 1k on tiles, 1k on demolishing my mess.

      • onetwothreefour on 24/09/2024 - 15:48
        +30

        Sounds like they are quoting based on how difficult the customer will be rather than how difficult the job will be.

        I tiled my back splash with a tile cutter and a trowel. Cost me a lot less than $1k.

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