New double socket on tiled wall

Just done same in my kitchen, fitting extra sockets, used my Bosch multitool with a diamond blade,to cut through the tiles, no damage, can access right in to the corners without over cutting,& have a nice neat hole for the box, it wasn't easy to do though, as vibration loosened one tile, as tile adhesive was only spotted.(not my work)

But,I expect the blade might struggle on really hard tiles .

Walk away is my advice.

 

Small angle grinder with diamond tipped blade or as Kiab suggested a multitool. I have a Fein Multimaster which does the same job but they are too expensive to consider for a one-off job.

 

I had to cut some floor tiles back by around 25mm after the builder had layed the tiles too far into the door threshold, so you could see them in the next room when the door was closed (this was for the mother in law)

I drilled a series of 5mm holes with a tile drill, then used a diamond blade and multi tool (being a diyer just a good old green Bosch)
I found the blade can skid a bit on the tile surface without drilling holes, but with the holes, the blade can bite into the tile and cut relatively easily

Obviously you don't need a perfect cut edge as the socket will allow a slight overlap

 

I also found that you have more control using a multitool than with a small grinder cutting the tile.

 

I would advise telling the customer, if you do decide to take this on, that you cannot guarantee no breakage of tiles. Secondly, cutting carefully through a fragile wall finish takes time and care so in theory should attract a higher price. If the customer is wanting a difficult job doing then they need to be aware of the potential consequence of breaking a tile and the fact it is much trickier to do. I don't suppose they appreciate that.

 

Makita tile cutter.

May be able to rent???

 

Difficult to use if tiles are already on the wall though.

 

Not at all.......done it once myself, and it was ok, and less dust than an angle grinder.

 

If the original back boxes are fitted before the tiles, these will take time to cut out. Possibly your new back boxes will not fit in the same hole, (back box edge over tile), so you will have to grind back the tiles behind the original socket. Tile drill holes in all the corners first. Make sure there are no studs behind your new hole. Plastic dust sheet everything in the kitchen. Ensure the back box clamps have enough depth for plasterboard and tile. Tape over bare (now dead) cables before pulling through old boxes. Is there enough cable to fit to the new socket.
Would you think I've done this before. Can be very frustrating, but rewarding. Charge loads.

 

I have done this a few times, and have used a small tile drill to stitch drill around the socket. I took the kitchen kick plate off and used a bradawl to find the vertical stud from below, to make sure the socket would hit one, and sink a back box into it once tile and plasterboard clear. I would try to avoid cutting between the studs, as a dry lining box is not great on sockets.

If the tiles were expensive, I would advise customer against, as they will likely be extreamely hard (which is good in a way I guess, as less likely to break), but will also be expensive to replace, lol.