majority of the tiles are China-made even those branded one too as most of them have kilang over there! Pls don't discounted China mali punya tiles , some of them are real good quality

not only the material cost, labour cost to lay 1x1 compares to 2x2 are like 50% or even more...

labour cost to lay 2x2 is higher, at least that is what happened to my reno.

bro skng03 , does the contractor remove the layer of 'wax' on each tile for you? If not, after moving in you may notice that the surface is lackluster
under bright view (ie. turn on bright light at night and look at the floor).. Friend of mine (many years in tiles related sales job) told me that is due to the layer of wax is still there... It will go away only after we walk for some time or he suggested me to buy those powder used to patch up plaster ceiling to 'dewax' the tile surface..

another thing i regretted not to monitor is that after installation of the tiles downstairs, the contractor did not protect the surface using any protective layer...workers still walk in and out without taking off shoes....that results in terrible scracthes in certain area especially the entrance! So, be minded.

AFAIK, it doesn't matter if it is china tiles or your Niro tiles.. the purpose of that layer of wax is to prevent scratches while even in the packaging. Even a cheap china polished tiles will look like 'mirror' finishing if you don't notice them closer enuf (under lighting beam)...