Your Guide To Choosing A Tiler
When it comes to sourcing a reputable tiler for your residential or commercial project, what should consumers be aware of in order to make the right choice?
Floor & Wall tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble and glass tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes. The number of people working as tilers as their primary income has certainly grown in recent years, with 26,200 tilers registered in 2019 when compared to 15,400 in 2014. Even despite the global pandemic, this number is predicted to swell to 28,500 by 2024.
So while things are looking good if you’re a tiler in Australia, it’s worth noting that not all members of the trade operate at the same standards. In fact, there’s still a significant shortage of tilers when compared to the demand for them, especially during the current renovation and building boom.
Thus, whether you’re undertaking a significant renovation, building your own home or undertaking a commercial refit, sourcing a reputable tiler is crucial if you want to get it right the first time and potentially avoid a costly disaster.
Six Factors To Consider When Choosing A Tiler
Working with a tiler is slightly more complex than “here are the tiles I like, off you go”. While it’s always a good idea to get two or three different quotations to give you a rough idea on installation costs, the cheapest operator may not be the best option for you. After all, tiles should be considered as a long term investment, and so you should consider the below factors before settling on a service provider.
Check The Credentials – Is your desired tiler licensed, insured and financially stable? If not, you could be setting yourself up for disaster. Ensure you check the relevant trade licensing number in your state. A credit reference may help to verify if the company pays its suppliers on time, and if they have a good reputation within the industry.
Source Reviews – Friends, family, colleagues or even your local tile store can be good places to start when it comes to word of mouth recommendations. Don’t be afraid to check out the tiler’s social media or Google reviews though for the ‘real world’ experiences of others too.
Know Your Budget – There is little point approaching a tiler that specialises in commercial jobs to fix a cracked tile in your bathroom. Instead, try to source a tiler that regularly completes jobs in line with what you need, as their pricing will usually be reasonably in line with your budget.
Project Timeframe – If you opt for a tiler that is related to you or a family friend, unfortunately there’s a chance that you may ‘go down’ on their priority list, particularly if you’ve received a discounted rate. Be sure to check that their project timeline matches yours.
What’s Their Specialty – Contrary to popular belief, tilers aren’t always a ‘one stop shop’ for all renovations or projects. If you are looking for someone to action a large-scale commercial fit out, then someone who specialises in small residential fix ups probably isn’t for you.
Communication Is Key – Just like you, a tiler is usually running a business, and has a lot going on. How they provide their customer service and how well they communicate with you is very important, especially with written quotes, as these are usually a good indication as to whether they value your business or not.
While there may not be such a thing as the perfect tiler, more often than not there is a perfect tiler out there for you. However, the materials are arguably just as important as the craftsmanship required to get the job done, so who do you turn to in order to ensure your tiles are exactly what you had in mind?
Sourcing The Right Tiles To Bring Your Project To Life
While your options for flooring materials are almost limitless, selecting the right type of tile for your home certainly isn’t an easy feat. With each space, comes a different preference or priority: are you chasing style, functionality, or simply want to stay within the budget?
In operation for over 25 years, at Tile Wizards we pride ourselves on getting you more – for less. We pioneered the warehouse format, and our stores are purposefully designed to make your selection easier, and ultimately offer our customers quality, price and the right advice.
Even if you are just after some honest and friendly advice – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Tile Wizards today for a free quote. We’re able to work with you in order to bring your dream flooring solution to life.
