Are these quotes excessive ti tile my kitchen floor?

[Mercedes]

We're starting to get quotes together to tile our new kitchen extension. It's about 21sqm and we've had the following quotes;

1. tiler emailed back saying a grand without seeing kitchen or asking any questions
   
2. Call asked all the right questions and quoted £1800 including adhesive, ditra mat etc but not actual tiles
   

Ok I live in London but stil!! I thought maybe around £700-£800. Am I unrealistic? have prices went up that much?

What are other Mumsnetters' experiences and prices

[PigletJohn]

is it a new concrete floor, with a DPM and no cracks, repairs or joins?

[MrsTaraPlumbing]

With out knowing any more I can say that £800 sounds a little low
with tiler supplying everything except tiles.
Also, the high quote may be a result of everyone being very busy.
The best thing is to get more quotes - will give you an idea on current prices. And ask about availabilty. Not so much of a problem if you are booking months ahead.

And any one planning work should be booking months ahead.

We get calls from people who tell us they've bought and got all their new bathroom stuff can we fit it as if we'd be available within a few weeks! We are amazed by these calls as we are typically booked up 4 months in advance and so is everyone else we know.

[PigletJohn]

Mention of the ditra mat makes me think it is not a straightforward job.

[WyrdByrd]

Definitely not excessive, particularly if you have basic floor issues that need sorting out first e.g. uneven floor, cracks etc.

Floor layers can have vastly differing levels of skill and it's well worth paying for a thorough, professional job.

My brother in law, who is a very competent handy man, but not a floor layer, tiled our kitchen floor about 6 years ago - it has been an absolute nightmare with tiles cracking and coming up.

We've currently got large mats down as we've given up trying to repair it and can't afford to have it replaced at the moment.

[Mercedes]

PigletJohn - the floors's in 2 parts if this helps. 1 new concrete in new extension; other half old kitchen with suspended timber flooring. Our builder will have hard boarded it in advance of the tiling.

[PigletJohn]

I swear I wrote a reply earlier.

I think the higher quote will be including extra work needed to prevent tiles cracking and coming loose over the wooden floor and at the join.

Hardboard is pretty useless. 18mm ply is usual over floorboards, or take them up and lay a new floor in 22mm ply.

Hardboard has no strength or rigidity, it is only useful under a carpet, which can't crack.

[Mercedes]

Re read what my butler emailed me and he's using 18mm ply before the tiler gets in. So it looks like £2000 is ok. (money flows out the door..)

I started thinking maybe we should do bamboo it may be cheaper but i suspect it will all end up the same price.

[PigletJohn]

Great that you have such an obliging butler.

[reallybadidea]

Where did you get your butler? Mine is good at getting me out of amusing scrapes with Aunt Agatha, doing a spot of light ironing etc but would draw the line at tiling, I should think.

[jackspratswife01]

We have been quoted £1000 to lay tiles 26 metres we provide tiles, and £300 to level floor, not London or any where near, if that helps.