FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Download our Showroom Checklist (below) to summarise all the services we can offer, and so you can compare other retailers to find the best tile showroom for your needs.
Download our Tiling Checklist (below) to summarise all the features of our tiling service, so you can compare other tiliers to find the best tiler for your needs.
Q: Who are you?
A: MTM Tiling Limited (also MTM Tile Showroom which is a trading name of MTM Tiling Limited) is a tiling company and tile showroom based in Blagdon Hill just outside of Taunton, Somerset. The Director of the company is Mark Rollins (one of the M's OF MTM) he is a City and Guilds qualified tiler with over 30 years experience in both tiling and tile retailing. He lives in Taunton with his wife (another M) and his son (the T). He is passionate about tiles and tiling along with doing right by his customers and providing a great service. MTM Tiling was set up because he realised there was a gap in the market for a customer led showroom along with a customer driven tiling service.
Q: Why is a visit to your showroom a must when looking for tiles?
It has character just like the team at MTM.
To set the scene (and Somerset is scenic), our tile destination (showroom) is a picturesque detached stone building set on and overlooking the village green in Blagdon Hill, just outside the county town of Taunton, Somerset, it nestles at the foot of the Blackdown hills. It is a former Mission Hall and has a lovely open aspect with a calming atmosphere.
It is just across the lane from the village pub (conveniently) namely the Lamb and Flag Inn, which by the way serves up a great pub lunch, or you can bring a packed lunch and sit at one of the picnic tables on the village green outside (we can supply complimentary beverages) both the pub and village green are dog friendly too. If you want to explore the Blackdown hills by foot or car or visit Wellington Monument nearby you can (escape suburbia) make a morning or afternoon of your tile choosing outing.
Sorry I am rambling, (over the Blackdowns) back to our showroom which has bespoke display units that have been designed to house loose tiles, these can be placed on the large clear tops and combined with grout and tile trim samples (amongst other accessories) to give different combinations and design ideas. The showroom has been designed to be as interactive as possible. We also have a consultation area to guide you through the various options open to you as we are happy to share our knowledge to help you make a better informed choice. This in turn makes your project personal to you and allows you to create your wow factor. Whether you want to browse or create in an environment free from pressure, a warm welcome awaits along with Coffee, Tea and biscuits (no bribery intended).
Q: What experience do your staff have?
A: Our showroom staff Mark and Garry (whom are both ex tilers) have over 30 years experience each in tiling along with retailing also. Our Tiler Joe has over 20 years experience in tiling and all our staff are approachable and polite with a can do and nothing is a problem attitude (we are friendly like that). For larger works or busy periods, we ensure the sub contractors we use are of a similar standing with the same approachable manner (they are friendly too) and follow our policies whilst working on our behalf. Wherever possible we do try to keep the work in house.
Q: When are you open?
A: We are currently open Monday-Friday 9.30am until 4.30pm and 10.00am-1,00pm Saturdays, by appointment only for your safety. Q: Do you open at weekends?
A: We open by appointment only on Saturday mornings.
Q: How far out of Taunton are you?
A: We are around 4 miles or 12 minutes from Taunton and also easy to get to from other towns such as Honiton, Chard, Ilminster, Yeovil, Dorchester, Wellington, Tiverton and we are within an hours drive of Bristol and Exeter.
Q: Do you have tiles in stock?
A: In order to provide our customers with the best possible choice of the latest designs and trends, along with the classic tiles and variety of stone, glass, encaustics, porcelains, ceramics and mosaics we don't limit our offering in the showroom to tiles that we can hold in stock. If we held stock of tiles we would have to set aside a large part of what is now showroom space to accommodate them and this would in turn limit the tiles on offer. We also wouldn't want to account for our customers tastes and push our tiles over and above the design houses and suppliers we deal with. We believe the whole market approach is better for our customers and whilst the margins may be less the choice is considerably more. Therefore we don't carry stock of tiles.
Q: Can I buy a sample tile?
A: We offer a free sample tile service, where we have loose tiles or displays in store you are able to take these away to see if it is right for you, in some instances we may have to order samples in for which there may be a small charge, if a small charge was to apply then it would be refunded upon placing an order.
Q: How quickly can you get my tiles once ordered?
A: This depends on the supplier but typically the lead time varies from next day to one week, if you require tiles urgently we can advise on the tiles that we can obtain quickly for you. We would advise wherever possible to order your tile around two weeks in advance.
Q: Do you price your tiles per tile, and if not why not?
A: No we don't , not unless it is a pattern tile or border/mosaic. The reason we don't do this is because we feel it can be a little (very) misleading for the customer. We price our tiles by the square metre and that way whatever the tile size or shape, it is easy to compare prices of different tiles on a like for like comparison, equally we don't price tiles per box as the quantity varies between manufacturer and this too can lead to confusion.
An example of individual tile pricing would be a tile that measures 20 cm x 50 cm priced at £2.95 each versus a tile that is 10 cm x 10 cm priced at £0.45p each. There are 10 x 200cm x 500cm tiles to a m2 so the total per m2 is £29.50, there are 100 x 10cm x 10cm tiles to a m2 so the total per m2 is £45.00. So the tile priced at 0.45p is £15.50 dearer per m2. Therefore if you needed to cover 10m2 it would cost an extra £155.00. This gives an instant and clear comparison.
Q: Can you deliver my tiles?
A: Yes we can, we can deliver your tiles for a small charge and in some cases we can organise a direct delivery from our supplier to any UK address, this depends on the supplier and we can advise you on this before ordering your tiles.
Q: What should I look out for if purchasing tiles from a store holding stock?
A: If you are purchasing from stock, especially if it is self service, check the tiles are all the same batch, this is very important as often tiles that are left over are returned at a later date. The returned tiles are then put back on the shop floor and if placed with a newer delivery after the shelves have been refilled, there could be tiles of different batches (different shades and sizes) on the same shelf.
Secondly make sure you have purchased enough, it is best to allow between 10-15% extra depending on your pattern. If you do require more you may not get the same batch again.
Q:How do you check the tiles for shading and size if you don't have them in stock?
A: Our suppliers order in the tiles by the pallet and in many cases multiple pallets of the tile with the same batch and calibration (size). Our suppliers check batches before delivering and will not send mixed batches or will advise us first if any doubt exists. We check the tiles that arrive to us for batch, calibration, visual damages, quantities and also that it is the correct tile and finish (saves any awkward moments later) , this is by way of a checklist which is ticked off and made available to the customer upon delivery/collection. If upon delivery to ourselves there is an inconsistency (this is very rare) we would return the whole order for suitable replacements.
Q: Why should I buy tiles from you?
A: We have tea and cake! Actually we do, but on a serious note we have an abundance of knowledge (most of us over 30 years) which we are very happy to pass on, thus ensuring you have the right products for your project and that you are aware of all the options available to you to make your project bespoke to you and practical. We have a consultation option to guide you through everything you can think of and therefore making your project a lot less stressful that it needs to be. We also have a tiling service and can literally take care of your tiling project from conception to completion (a completely done for you service). We lend out samples for you to ensure your choice is the right one.We are on hand to answer any questions you may have relating to your tiles or tiling.
Q: How much should I allow for wastage on top of the actual amount of tiles I require?
A: As a rule of thumb it used to always be 10% and this is still the case with tiles up to 30cm x 30cm in size but with the introduction of larger format tiles, which are becoming much more popular now, we would advise allowing 15% extra for wastage.