Quarry tiles.

Thankfully I've got two pairs of protective goggles. With them being completely see though when I put them down I can never find them again. Of course, if I put them back in their own 'special place' [ie in the garage where they've ben for the past 20 years ]that wouldn't happen. But I don't .

Wearing the appropriate protective gear, I hope.

I need to speak to the S.O. about our itinerary this afternoon then I'll get back to you. Hope the weather stays like this! I've just learned how to use an electric drill [I think].

Tegan I answered your PM about being up in this direction soon, but have not yet heard from you when you think you will come up to Auld Reekie?

Yes, Tegan I have read all about it too! In DH's workshop there is (are?) a pair of clear googles that look as though they won't restrict my view. (Also ear defenders and knee-pads and enough hand and electric tools to build a small housing estate)

I know I'm nagging and you will anyway but you will be wearing protective glasses when you use the tile cutter won't you [?]

Brilliant, Jess ! Thank you.

(I am still going to play with the tile cutter and the sample tile, just because I like fiddling about with things like that, but I don't think I shall be tackling a whole three and a half square metres)

ok here is the other thing I discovered last year when we were sprucing up our house to let it out.
Speak to a local professional letting agent (the lettings department of an estate agent) - ask them if they can recommend any suitable tradesperson. They normally have a little list of people they use for maintaining their clients' properties. The rates they get will be good, because the tradespeople get a lot of work through this route. The letting agents will expect efficiency or they will use someone else.
Then ring the recommended person and say you have got the referral from the agent. They are a lot less likely to over-charge you or mess you about if they think you are a friend of the agent.

No approved traders section on my Trading Standards website, and Age UK does not cover the whole of the UK - they pirated that name under false pretences. Age Scotland does not seem to operate any approved Tradesmen scheme.

B and Q just refer don't they. Fitters are not employed by them. Look on your local trading standards website for approved traders.

Personally I would pay the man to do it - tiles are dreadful to keep clean if not flat and also with level grouting. The chap who laid the tiles in our last kitchen was a builder who could do most other things as opposed to a man who only did tiles - generally they were OK but he had the grout too wide and also made it lower than the surface of the tiles - became a trap for dirt and then for dirty water when I was washing the floor - drove me potty.

I do think that you have to be very careful to have the floor area levelled correctly or the effect will be something you will have to live with for a while,can you not find a "man who can" in your local directory or Age UK may help you find a retired fitter who would cost a lot lot less.

B&Q fitters won't charge less than for 5 sq metres, which is £295. I imagine anyone else could be much the same.

Yes, there is a tile-cutting device, but I have never used it. DH got good results with it. I think I shall try cutting a sample tile and see what luck I have. May need strong wrists!

I'd ask around and find a recommended tiler; most of my family [except me] are very handy when it comes to DIY but they always pay people to tile floor.Someone I know had a hall tiled and it cost £550 for 21sq m if that's any help.

I think your problem would be cutting them to fit at the edges. Do you have a grinder or tile cutter?