Tiling has always been one of the most popular of home improvements undertaken by a DIY enthusiast. However, the lack of formal, qualified tiling course training can sometimes unwittingly show through in details here and there, especially with regards the all-important attention to preparation.Unfortunately, there are still too many occasions when those who have 'done the odd tiling job at home' get asked to help out on a sub contracted basis and the insufficient knowledge/experience only comes to light when the results of slightly substandard 'that'll do' work are more closely examined.The consequences of insufficient preparation because of a lack of knowledge will often lead to the tiling work having to be reapplied. Lack of planning or errors of judgement can lead to not measuring, cleaning and smoothing out the tiling surfaces carefully enough or knowing the method of installing tiles on a curved wall. In addition, there is always likely to be at least 10-15 per cent waste and spare tiles needed for future replacements.Trying to save time ( and money) sometimes leads to not using use battens in both horizontal and vertical directions to lay tiles in perfect straight lines, resulting inevitably, in positioning mistakes and a skewed surface. It is always important to check the work within the first 6-12 hours. Once the grout has hardened it can be a problem to deal with an incorrect tile after 24 hours.Working with grouting and adhesives is another first sign of competency! Tiling adhesive has to be appropriate to the type of environment, especially where waterproofing is vital. The big myth of course with applying tile adhesive is the dot and dab approach! Adding dots of adhesive to the corners of tiles does not achieve a stronger bond but actually increases the chance of cracking because the adhesive shrinks as it dries. When the adhesive is thicker in some areas, such as the corners, the shrinking will add pressure on the tile.Protruding grout is an instant fail! The material must be spread slowly and evenly using a support tool like a squeegee. Working too fast and too large an area leads to faster drying out at the furthest points and resulting in an uneven finish. It is critical to remove any excess grout immediately after laying a tile before it dries.Knowing how to work quickly and produce a professional finish at the highest level requires knowledge and skills training and hard won experience to master the tiler's craft. In other words, if you are interested to take a DIY interest further. then a basic Wall and Floor tiling Diploma might be a good starting point but for embarking on a fulltime career it is essential to undergo proper training on City & Guilds tiling courses. Many options of differing duration are available from a 5 day introductory tiling course to an 8 week complete NVQ tiling course and intensive weekend tiling courses are an ever popular and convenient choice.