Wife wants to do the tiling...

[The D]

personally I think this is exactly where the training centres are of some use. If you are the type of person that will just enjoy doing the job for your self then it is perfect, but if you are just trying to save a £ then you may be disappointed. As others have said you will not get the tilers discount on the materials and the tools required for a professional finish can run in to hundreds so it just depends on what you are looking for either way you have started at the right place.

 

[bobbynz]

If your wife wants to do the Tiling because she will enjoy doing it, then I suggest the both of you sit down and count the cost for course, tiles, materials, tools. Also the cost to prep the area properly, this can cost quite a bit. Also include the cost of being inexperienced, this will cost you the most of all your expenses. It will include wasted adhesive, broken or miscut tiles, your time as it will take you at least twice as long.The biggest cost of inexperience can be the potential possible redo if it's stuffed up.(and I say that in the nicest way possible ):lol: This of course does not include the mental and emotional cost to your wife and probably most of all, to you!!
....But, but, but .... if you are happy with the cost and....If you feel you will get some enjoyment and satisfaction of doing it yourself...I say go for it let her have a go, who cares what its going to cost as long as you can afford it. And you know what, If you feel like giving her a hand now and again then do it, accomplishing a project together despite what might happen ,Im sure it will be a memory the both of you can have a laugh about, mmm in...about ...30 years :lol:
Look, like I said if you can afford it and you really want to give it a go just for the experience then dont get put off we just know whats involved but the guys here are at your service if you get stuck, so dont be shy and ask heaps of questions BEFORE you start each step...Please.
Oh, and dont forget some pics please
:welcome:

 

[MTiler]

We're about to redo our kitchen and potentially our two bathrooms and whilst I have no problems doing the kitchen install (it's only making sure you measure and cut carefully...) Tiling is not my forte.

I thought about doing a course, however having spoken to my wife about it, she's interested in doing it herself and if it's less work for me I certainly don't mind - after all I tend to get stuck with all the DIY jobs and she has plenty of holiday to do a course.

We're in Essex and a few people used to recommend PTS in Harlow, however it seems to have changed to STC and the old trade that was there has moved on. Is there anywhere in East Essex (southend way) that is better or is Harlow still the best bet? I had seen a few comments on the assessments for NVQ's being a bit rubbish, but we're not looking for qualifications, just the ability to do a bit of DIY properly... so probably just a weeks course to get some basics down.

Thoughts?

PTS and STC are the same company and are still going in Harlow at the same unit. PTS had to change their name. Just pop in and check them out.
Tiling Courses | Plastering Courses | Painting and Decorating Courses | Specialist Trade Courses

missyT

[h=3][/h]

 

[user123]

Doing any course is never wasted, I don't think. Having done the Nett course and loving it and then my bathroom I recognized that a course can teach you the basics, yes, and my bathroom looks good and I was proud of the result, BUT, it was physically much much harder than anticipated, leaning over bathtubs and making sure it doesn't get scratched, the weight of the tiles to be lugged around, the weight of the adhesive even, which you wouldn't want to mix by hand so you'd need a paddle mixer, and the ready mix adhesives are a nono....and as others have said the cost of the tools alone are quite considerable, and you have to have a space to store them, etc etc. I think doing the course is great, as the practical knowledge can be applied to other diy areas in life, it's a skill, but with the option left open that your wife can change her mind about doing this herself and maybe do get a professional in in the end after all. It all depends how strong she is and how much she enjoys the whole tiling experience during the course. If she is artistically minded, why not encourage her to design something unusual, or even get hooked into the design of it and have a tiler bring it to fruition? Could be bliss! . By the way, great you are so supportive of our wife! Nice!