Need to find a good tiles installer in Phuket

[Valbor]

Hi,

For a 40 sqm bathroom that need new tiling (removing old and installing new), I am looking for a good price to quality installer able to do a professional job that I can trust.

I will buy all material and tiles and Need this to be finished within 30 days (Phuket south).

I would be very grateful for any recommendation.

What I have found now is either not a trustable quality or outrageously overpriced with too long delays.

Any idea ?

By the way what would be a fair price for that job nowadays in Phuket?

Thanks for any help

Valbor

[DrDave]

Having had 2 different tile installation projects done recently, I can tell you that the materials cost is about 130 baht per square meter (cement and grout). This is for Thai-style installation, where they lay down a thick bed of cement. On one of our jobs, I requested that "thinset" cement be used (e.g. Crocodile "Gold"). I don't think that the installer really knew how to use thinset, and ended up using 3 or 4x more than should have been required, which made the cost of materials much higher as thinset cement is very expensive compared to normal cement.

All of the quotes we got for the 1st project were for about the same amount - 300 baht per m2, including materials. The 2nd project included removal of an existing floor, and was about 200 baht per m2 + materials. We gave them a little extra because it ended up being a lot more difficult and took more time than any of us had thought.

I'm also interested in doing some projects similar to yours (removal and replacement of existing wall and floor tiles in bathrooms), so please post your experience here when finished!

The key, as you mentioned, is finding someone who has the skills and correct tools to do a good job.

[Valentine]

Having had 2 different tile installation projects done recently, I can tell you that the materials cost is about 130 baht per square meter (cement and grout). This is for Thai-style installation, where they lay down a thick bed of cement. On one of our jobs, I requested that "thinset" cement be used (e.g. Crocodile "Gold"). I don't think that the installer really knew how to use thinset, and ended up using 3 or 4x more than should have been required, which made the cost of materials much higher as thinset cement is very expensive compared to normal cement.

All of the quotes we got for the 1st project were for about the same amount - 300 baht per m2, including materials. The 2nd project included removal of an existing floor, and was about 200 baht per m2 + materials. We gave them a little extra because it ended up being a lot more difficult and took more time than any of us had thought.

I'm also interested in doing some projects similar to yours (removal and replacement of existing wall and floor tiles in bathrooms), so please post your experience here when finished!

The key, as you mentioned, is finding someone who has the skills and correct tools to do a good job.

The reason for a thick layer of cement is because the floors are never level nor are they at the right height so it is up to the tiler to rectify. This is one those "we have always done it like this" situations. It is surely not beyond the capabilities of the builder to have the concrete floor level & at the right height so then normal tile adhesive can be used with a thin layer. We use tile adhesive all the time but always ensure the surface is set properly first.

[Valentine]

Having had 2 different tile installation projects done recently, I can tell you that the materials cost is about 130 baht per square meter (cement and grout). This is for Thai-style installation, where they lay down a thick bed of cement. On one of our jobs, I requested that "thinset" cement be used (e.g. Crocodile "Gold"). I don't think that the installer really knew how to use thinset, and ended up using 3 or 4x more than should have been required, which made the cost of materials much higher as thinset cement is very expensive compared to normal cement.

All of the quotes we got for the 1st project were for about the same amount - 300 baht per m2, including materials. The 2nd project included removal of an existing floor, and was about 200 baht per m2 + materials. We gave them a little extra because it ended up being a lot more difficult and took more time than any of us had thought.

I'm also interested in doing some projects similar to yours (removal and replacement of existing wall and floor tiles in bathrooms), so please post your experience here when finished!

The key, as you mentioned, is finding someone who has the skills and correct tools to do a good job.

The reason for a thick layer of cement is because the floors are never level nor are they at the right height so it is up to the tiler to rectify. This is one those "we have always done it like this" situations. It is surely not beyond the capabilities of the builder to have the concrete floor level & at the right height so then normal tile adhesive can be used with a thin layer. We use tile adhesive all the time but always ensure the surface is set properly first.

Tried to send PM but it did not go through.

[Valbor]

Thank you to both of you for your inputs.

I went to speak with Cotto studio in Phuket town for the design and they were affirmative that I can install news tiles over the existing ones with their special Cotto tile adhesive done for that.

Talked to their technician, that confirm no need to remove old ones if they are ok. ( and it is the case), and no need to special pre-treatment either (except clean surfaces)

SO I am going to try that as it appears to be A LOT MOR EASIER (No noise,No Dust, and a lot faster (removing our tites has proved to be difficult in our place))

I am sure there will some debate on that point, but 3-owners here have done that for floor and bathroom walls with satisfaction. so I am going to try it too.

Now the main problem remain : To find a Tile professional installer able to do a good job...

If you know somebody to recommend ... Rawai area.. will be happy to offer you some beers or something else...

[Valentine]

Thank you to both of you for your inputs.

I went to speak with Cotto studio in Phuket town for the design and they were affirmative that I can install news tiles over the existing ones with their special Cotto tile adhesive done for that.

Talked to their technician, that confirm no need to remove old ones if they are ok. ( and it is the case), and no need to special pre-treatment either (except clean surfaces)

SO I am going to try that as it appears to be A LOT MOR EASIER (No noise,No Dust, and a lot faster (removing our tites has proved to be difficult in our place))

I am sure there will some debate on that point, but 3-owners here have done that for floor and bathroom walls with satisfaction. so I am going to try it too.

Now the main problem remain : To find a Tile professional installer able to do a good job...

If you know somebody to recommend ... Rawai area.. will be happy to offer you some beers or something else...

Trying to PM you but does not go through. I probably cannot say more publicly as it will likely be deleted as advertising.

[nev]

Thank you to both of you for your inputs.

I went to speak with Cotto studio in Phuket town for the design and they were affirmative that I can install news tiles over the existing ones with their special Cotto tile adhesive done for that.

Talked to their technician, that confirm no need to remove old ones if they are ok. ( and it is the case), and no need to special pre-treatment either (except clean surfaces)

SO I am going to try that as it appears to be A LOT MOR EASIER (No noise,No Dust, and a lot faster (removing our tites has proved to be difficult in our place))

I am sure there will some debate on that point, but 3-owners here have done that for floor and bathroom walls with satisfaction. so I am going to try it too.

Now the main problem remain : To find a Tile professional installer able to do a good job...

If you know somebody to recommend ... Rawai area.. will be happy to offer you some beers or something else...

I do my own tiling, and I have done tile on tile, I just put slight cuts with the angle grinder in the below tiles for extra grip and used a tile adhesive.

[Valbor]

hi Valentine,

Don't understand why your PM message does not get through !?

The settings looks ok to me.

How can we get this contact details?

[Valentine]

hi Valentine,

Don't understand why your PM message does not get through !?

The settings looks ok to me.

How can we get this contact details?

See if you can PM to me. A long time ago I also set tiles on tiles. At that time laid down a special adhesive which had to be left overnight & then use another adhesive for the tiles. It was worth it as the new tiles were quite expensive.

[LivinginKata]

hi Valentine,

Don't understand why your PM message does not get through !?

The settings looks ok to me.

How can we get this contact details?

Looks like your PM system is turned off, can you send a PM ?

[Valbor]

_{Well your are right, I cannot send and receive any PM.}

_{I don't see any reason nor do I can find the option to allow PM .}

_{What I can see is the fllowing error message fromThaivisa saying:}

_{OOPS something went wrong:}

_{You already have the maximum number of messages that you are allowed to store. In order to send a new message, you must delete some existing messages.}

_{only 1 message store in my mailbox but message said}

_{Your messenger storage 100%}

_{100% of your quota (1 messages)}

_{So I appear to be blocked.}

_{Anybody can unblock me with this PM functionality ?}

_Thanks

[LivinginKata]

Email [email protected] for help

and ... see if you can delete your one message.

[Valbor]

I did try to delete the only one message following Livinginkata advice...

And it worked!

I was able to send a PM

So may be I can also receive one or more??

Thanks for your help and advices ...

[Valbor]

Problem has now been fixed by Thai visa support

PM are OK now

Thank you to all.

[DrDave]

Correction to my earlier post regarding cost of materials for tile installation...

The 130 baht/m2 was for materials and labor, not just materials. The labor component I had estimated based on the installers being paid by the contractor at the rate of 1,000/day (e.g. 1,000 x number of men x number of days). I took note of how many bags of cement and how much sand was used, then checked the prices at the local supplier. The total cost of cement + sand + labor (assuming 1,000/day) divided by the number of m2 resulted in 130 baht/m2. The 1,000 baht/day is probably higher than what the installers were paid, and definitely higher than the going rate in other provinces, but then this is Phuket.

[Valbor]

^{Thank you DrDave for your complement.}

^{I am not sure I can get that price for the 2 bathrooms I need to do, as it is direct average costs and not sure when done and for what size.}

^{And anyway I am not looking for the cheapest possible price but for an excellent quality at a normal good price.}

^{The work I have is}

^{1/ a 27 sqm Wall and ground tiling on top of old (good ones) and}

^{2/ a 23 sqm wall and ground done the same way.}

^{I need a good job so a good proven contractor with the correct pricing that does not consider me as a Rich naïve tourist, but apply the correct not overpriced prices.}

^{I pay for all material and looking for a normal quotation for an excellent work only.}

^{Beginning with bathroom 1 until completion and going to bathroom 2 if I am happy with Job1.}

^{Please do not hesitate to recommend someone if you know their quality is excellent.}

^{And Thanks anyway for your inputs.}