I am gutting my 5x9 master bath and expanding it by demoing a closet next door. I am to the point of taking down the wall tiles around the tub and then take out the tub itself. Prying tiles off the wall does not work as they were not applied with thinset over backer board. There is a wire mesh with about an inch of mortor between the mesh and the tile. So far the only way I've removed 2 or 3 is by smashing them. Am I doomed to smash the rest? I took photos but am unable to upload them. Any time saving ideas will be appreciated!

I'm currently renovating my first home, a small condo. I've removed the tub/shower combo, and I plan on replacing it with a walk-in tile shower. I don't plan on using expensive tiles, or getting too fancy with it in general, but I do want it to look nicer than your average bathroom and somewhat upscale. I'm not looking for the cheapest, I'm looking for the best value. I'm alright at DIY projects, but since this is an upstairs condo and we're dealing with water, I'm thinking I should hire a pro. I want to do whatever I can to mitigate my risk of water issues. I want the tile to run up to the ceiling, and I'll also need the rest of the floor tiled. I'd like to know what, if anything, I can do myself to save money. I also know every market is different (I'm in Portland, OR), but I'm hoping to get a ballpark before I start requesting estimates. I'll be reinforcing the subfloor with another layer of 3/4" plywood, which is what is down there now. The size of the shower will be 60"x32" (about 85 square feet). Pic of the space, and the current condition. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/csJXp84.jpg[/IMG]