Tiling question

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Hi guys,

Just moved into a new property and am trying to refurbish some victorian tiles in the hallway. They are made from teracotta and a harder substance maybe granite?

The whole flooring is covered in a layer of bitumen and cement I believe. I have 2 questions:

1) Is it best to cover it in a softening solution and remove it? Or is it ok to chip away at the bitumen with a chizzle?

2) How much, approx, will it cost to polish and remove the excess cement and markings left once the job is done?

The hallway tiles are similar in size to this photograph here:

[img]http://www.versatile-restoration.co.uk/images/new6.jpg[/img]

Thanks muchly