How to Hire a Tile Installer

A good tile setter should give you precise cuts and even grout lines on a tiling job

By Vickie Ferguson

Photo by iStockphoto.com

A tiling or retiling project encompasses many areas of the home, from laying ceramic tile flooring or adding a backsplash behind the kitchen sink to remodeling or upgrading the bathroom with a decoratively tiled shower enclosure. Regardless of the type of tiling project, selecting quality material and hiring an expert contractor will not only result in added beauty but also ensures a professional installation.

• What You Need to Know
• The best way to assess a tiler's work is to see it for yourself. If you can get permission to see a completed job, check for the smooth and even cuts in the tiles and consistent width of the grout.

Step 1:

Contact residential and commercial tile installation companies that are licensed, insured and have been in business long enough to have a significant clientele list to serve as references.

Step 2:

Request quotes for the tiling project from each contractor that includes the cost of tiles, subfloors and finishing tiles (if applicable), backboards, grouting material, labor, hauling of debris and cleanup costs. Ask for contact information of previous customers. Contact each customer and ask to set up an appointment to see the completed tiling job.

Step 3:

Schedule an appointment to observe tiling work in progress on a project. Look at the setup the contractor uses to protect areas around the tiling job and the efficiency of the crew working with the contractor. Tiling is precise when it comes to cutting, laying and fitting each piece uniformly with the next. Check the installed tile looking for straight lines between tiles, uniform spacing between tiles, even lines of grouting with no cracks, even floors and edges, and properly fitted corners.

Step 4:

Require a written contract with the contractor's full name, address, phone number, license number, date, pricing, completion date, payment agreement and a warranty for a specified time covering labor, materials and leaks, if applicable. Be sure the contract is dated with the current date and signed by the contractor and the homeowner.

• Tips & Warnings
• Whenever a contractor is hired, always ask for proof of a contractor's license and proof of insurance.
• Professional certifications are available for tile setters, so you can ask if your installers have been trained by or follow standards from the National Tile Contractors Association or Ceramic Tile Education Foundation.
• Determine the type of tile and any decorative border or accent finishing pieces ahead of time so the information is available to the contractors when working on the bid for the project.