@Karen Hodge, I hear you!! Sometimes I think the estate agent should carry quite a bit of the blame actually. If they do their job correctly like you see in the adds on TV, they should bring these discrepancies to the attention of the sellers, stand on their morals and say if you can't get it better than this, then you'll have to find someone else to sell your home!! I know you can't make everybody "house proud" but the saying "do unto others" springs to mind. I bet if these same people bought a house not up to scratch, "a current affair" would hear about it but they don't think it wrong to simply walk out on a house that isn't being left nicely for the next family!! I have some friends that recently sold a house in Essendon, Melb and whilst the buyers were back and forth selling their own home, my friends kept watering the plants and even did things like painted out the wardrobes because of the scuff marks made over time!! They cleaned the entire two storey house from top to bottom and finished by mopping the floors as they were exiting. The buyers were so taken by the entire home, they bought it with almost all the furniture that my friends had in it!!

hi, you should always go by what the manufacturer specify. coat them before you start to tile and again once laid before grouting and then after grouting one more time. the sealer should be a penetrating one . because of the nature of the tiles , being cement based, I do not recommend them being used in showers or constantly wet areas. some other recommendations for a bathroom application are .to use a membrane that is ok in full immersion. adhesive is also to be of a type that is ok in full water immersion.. remember that not following theses recommendations may result in membrane failure and water damage and even resulting in structural damage.

ckat0076, you are most welcome. The porcelain tiles are fantastic. I have always been a wood floors lover and have lived with wooden floorboards for 20 years. But I must say the tiles are sensational, they have just been the best option for our family. You do not have to worry about anything happening to them, yesterday I dragged a big sideboard across the floors and no marks. No more worrying about water on boards. The only thing I could say is the tile I chose turned out to be lighter, when laid over the large floor space. The sample tile looked darker. I cannot remember if your house is a new build or a renovation as we had to have a 15mm screed under the tile. If you have any questions at all, I am happy to answer honestly.

Go with your gut Tracy..... it is a big investment but I have found that if it makes you smile every time you walk into your kitchen you'll never regret it!!!! I've recently moved into a smaller downsized home with my 3rd black kitchen, with drawers, no cupboards, except for the pantry which we use as the crockery and wine glasses stash. Mine is matt but no handles = no hip bangers! I chose to use snow white stone bench tops, the walls are painted natural white while the floors are pale oak hybrid vinyl.