We are actually planning on using an 18" tile, but for some reason the
person who quoted this did it for 12" tiles...not exactly sure why.
The contractor is also going to be the one providing the thinset
(that's part of the $920 that they quoted for materials); all we're
going to provide is the tile itself. I'll look into the
hardibackerboard. Is it superior to concrete board?

Thanks for the information on the tile as well. I'll see what we can
get in porclain.

In your opinion how difficult is this sort of thing for a home owner to
do? I am pretty handy (but then who doesn't think that grin) and
just finished adding a 30 x 16" deck. I think I'll pick up a good
tile-laying book and investigate that route.

Thanks again,

Michael