Pro tiling of kitchens, what level of prep to expect from fitters?

[ioannis]

I've been tiling for around ten years and consider my self of a high standard. Over the years I have had issues with the level of prep either i or the fitter should do. Bearing in mind the depth constraints of tub gear, i feel the substrate should be to within a couple of mm of perfect. Now do you guys walk away, chisel away or plaster as a standard part of your role?

On a kitchen atypical / acceptable day for me would be a max of 5 metres straight tiling (given one window, all returns. Full height to extractor). Plastic trimed and grouted all to a high standard. I would expect half hour to an hour of prep, spread thoughout the day.

This amount of work seems reasonable to me for a days money plus sundries, the average allowed by the major kitchen firms for an average kitchen.

Please share your expectaions. Are there any cheap quick drying filler products instead of the full plastering routine, suitable between worktop and wall cupboard?

 

[macten]

Ditch the tubbed stuff for some bagged rapid set.

 

[White Room]

As above...plastering should'nt deviate anymore then 3mm over 2 metres, as per BS.

 

[bugs183]

As above, if the kitchen guy doesn't prepare the walls properly its not your job to.
You're there to tile, not plaster. As soon as you start skimming he'll leave it all to you to do, and heaven help you if its bumpy!!

 

[ruairi mac]

As above...plastering should'nt deviate anymore then 3mm over 2 metres, as per BS.

could anyone post a link with the british standard guidelines please, for plastering , screeding and tiling??

I'm amazed that the BS is 3mm over 2m for plastering.

 

[ioannis]

could anyone post a link with the british standard guidelines please, for plastering , screeding and tiling??

I'm amazed that the BS is 3mm over 2m for plastering.

After a time you forget the simple things.

 

[afright]

Stopped working for Kitchen firms you always get put on,Its not good when you travel a lot of miles and then find you have to do a lot of prep for the same price.

 

[bugs183]

Yea Afright, i don't work for any either, it's funny how they expect absolute brilliance when they've given you duff tiles and a ploughed field to tile on.

 

[Billy Hunt]

I do a fair bit of kitchen work and the walls are hardly ever prepped for me,so any extra work on the prep side I charge for.
I never use tubbed gear for that reason and I skim with addy as i'm going along.
In this day and age I'd imagine if you kicked up a fuss about substrate prep to some of these companys they would tell you to do one.
I also charge by the meter on splashys and never give them an exact time when it will be finnished as not to disapoint,working with 4 inch tiles and dodgy substrates it's done when it's done.

 

[afright]

If I do a kitchen now five metre,s and under you have to charge a least a days pay

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Stopped working for Kitchen firms you always get put on,Its not good when you travel a lot of miles and then find you have to do a lot of prep for the same price.

It's called exploitation ,when-ever you work sub-contract for any other firm they are not to good at supplying materials,sub straights,help they promise the customer the earth, that you have to try and deliver lol, it always easier with working direct for the client ,we all learn the ropes as we go along ..........