Tiling the floor is a major part of finishing the floor just like plastering a wall is a major part of finishing the wall. Deal with major issues first before moving on to aesthetics like painting walls. Chafuaring the tiles is a non issue since painters know how to protect the tiled floor with gazeti and polythene. Also its much more comfortable to live in a tiled unpainted house than a painted untiled house. You can paint later pole pole but tiling is major works.

Thanks guys, you have answered my question 101% and beautifully at that. Asanteni!

@Jamplu this method makes a lot of sense. I especially like the idea of doing first coat before tiling.

@Ryko; top down approach definitely is convincing and what I was leaning towards. Thanks! Mfuko is threadbare but sacrifices will have to be made for me to move in asap.

@hardwood: This method also makes lots of sense. Moving from most important (read costly) to less important. Thanks!

@Wukan. I love your answer about an organically improved house. I fully am of the same thinking (and not just because my pockets are empty and I cannot afford to do everything at once). My biggest challenge has been pressure to escape rent. This, I have found, has also put a lot of pressure on me to compromise on quality as I go along. For example last week I found myself harakisharing the plastering guys to finish because I am trying to move in asap, then I saw the quality of the harakishwad work and realised it is better they slow down. Once inside after kissing my landlady goodbye forever I can really take my time to do everything right. Tolerating nyokonyoko work will be a no-no and I can supervise from up close kila siku. The pressure will be completely gone so even if my kitchen remains an echo filled hall for a few months while I save up for and install the right cabinets for it, hamna shida hata kidogo.

I appreciate all the ongoing help! Thanks all and be blessed!

Advice worth its weight in gold. No dirty shoes/foot traffic busy messing up my clean floors! Asante! Now I can sip my coffee and listen to the fundi sounds as they hammer nails into my treated cypress as we speak!

Waterbased paint on sanitary wares (sinks, toilet) comes off easy if you clean with hot water you have to be patient though - unless you've let it sit for a long period it should come out with a little help of a scrapper

The only thing that washes tiles clean is muriatic acid you just need a little mixed with water (but wear safety clothing that thing is hell a mask is mandatory) it will leave your tiles clean. if you've never used it pay someone who knows what they are doing the use excess of it will leave greenish stains on the tile edges.

Kwani how kienyeji were your painters? They don't spread papers etc? Tiling is very dirty....simiti kila mahali.