If got chipping, you will see the base colour of the tile which is normally light colour. If using dark colour tiles, very obvious.

Yours is a flat/ apartment? There will be additional labour just to move the material up to your unit. If it is a walk up flat, worst, have to use the staircase. Thus the additional cost.
Some flat management are quite stringent in the construction debris removal.

Showroom is the place where you can see (and feel the texture, etc) for yourself the actual tile. Don't expect too much discount as they cannot be cheaper then their dealers, can they? Once you have decided on the particular tile that you like, then you can search around for the best price at the tile shop around your place.

Actually, quite a number of those branded (well known) tile in Malaysia are actually manufactured in China. It does not mean that all tiles from China are no good. It depend on their quality control.

FYI, White Horse tiles are all made in Malaysia. Been to their factory in Pasir Gudang few years back.
While some of the 2'x2' and larger MML and also Niro Ceramics (an even higher end brand) tiles are made in China.

Used that for my wet kitchen and wash area floor. Quite satisfied.

Tiling work are very much reliance on the workmanship. No doubt the quality of the tiles itself also play an important part. As with all workmanship, there will be tend to have ups & downs. Even the workmanship of an very experience tiler will vary slightly from job to job. He is human anyway.
So, if you are not too particular/ fussy, then you will enjoy the outcome of your renovation even more.

There are pro & con to buying your own tiles as compared to getting the contractor to do so.
Pro - Can have more selection of tiles to your liking. Most cases, this method would be cheaper.

Con - Any problem with the tiles, you have to deal with the supplier yourself. In some cases, the tiler will blame the tiles for poor finishing quality

Consider as very cheap already. On top of that you are very satisfied with the job. So, should be happy

There are 2 different methods to installing the floor tiles.
- Dry Method. Cement screed the floor to the required level. Then install the floor tiles.
Pro: Better level control
Con: Slower and it involves additional process

- Wet Method. Cement screed the floor and at the same time install the floor tiles.
Pro: Better bonding of floor tiles & faster.
Con: Need better skill to ensure the good finishing.

Personally, unless I know the contractor well enough, I would purchase the tile myself. At least you will know what's the product you are getting for the money spend.
As for the 1st grade & 2nd grade, this would depends on the manufacturers. Some 2nd grade tiles are just the consistency of the shades or dimensions.
If the tiles have already been installed, to change it will be like throwing them away.

Try Jalan Ipoh area

Even if you have the tile code, you may not be able to get the exact tile. Reason is that the tile used by the developer might not in production anymore. Another problem is that there could be some colour variation if you managed to get them. So, just be prepared for this. Then you should be OK.

those are just labour for the tiling work only. The installation of WC and basin will be done by the plumber, which is charged differently

What is the extend of your work? hacking & remove existing wall & floor tiles? Who supply the tiles?
It this a landed property or apartment? There could be additional cost to remove the debris for apartments as compared to landed property.
What's the plumbing work involve? Replace all the existing piping? Any new copper piping for hot water? Or just replacing the sanitary fittings only?

What you can do is to work out the wall and floor tiling areas. Then used the rates provided earlier by another LYN member. This would give you an rough indication.

Better to have BRC if you are making a new car porch floor. No point trying to save on this.
Not dispose rubbish. Does it mean that you will provide the tong sampah for the contractor?

The BRC is acting as reinforcement for the slab to prevent cracking. It does not effect whether the slab sink or not.
Proper compaction below the slab will ensure/ reduce the sinking.

Grout Colorant is applied by painting over your existing grout. This can be a very tedious process; not forgetting back breaking.
If it is for your floor tiles where there are lots of traffic, it may not that durable.
Alternatively, you could get your contractor to remove the existing grout. White cement can be easily remove as compared to the grey cement. Then re-grout with your preferred colour grout. This will be longer lasting.

From what my reno contractor told me previously, it should not cost an arm & leg.
He did that for one of his client when he was renovating his house. Since he was carrying out the other renovation work at the same time .... That was replacing the existing floor tile grout by the developer.
Anyway, it will also depends on the area affected and the man-days required.

This post has been edited by kelvyn: Oct 28 2011, 02:16 PM

Try talking to your contractor and offer to compensate 50% for the labour required. Will be win-win for both parties