Tile Installation FAQ

We visit the site, take measurements, and provide a written estimate at no charge. The estimate breaks down materials by type and format, substrate prep required (including any waterproofing or uncoupling membrane), and labor as a separate line item. We specify the tile format and finish we are pricing so you can compare it accurately against other bids. The estimate is not a binding contract, but it is specific enough to hold us accountable to the scope we described.

After you contact us, we typically schedule the site visit within a few days. The written estimate follows within one business day of the walkthrough. Lead time before work starts depends on our current schedule and whether you need to order tile. A standard bathroom remodel runs two to four days on-site. A kitchen backsplash is usually one day. A larger outdoor patio with mortar bed work can take three to five days. We give you a realistic timeline in the estimate so you can plan around it.

Either way works. Many homeowners prefer to select their own tile from a showroom, and we are glad to work with what you have chosen. We can also recommend sources and handle procurement if you prefer to hand that off. If you are sourcing the tile yourself, we will specify the quantity, format, and any edge trim or transition pieces needed so you do not end up short or with a mismatch.

It does, particularly for outdoor and bathroom surfaces. Salt air accelerates grout deterioration in unsealed joints, and moisture cycling from marine layer humidity can cause certain adhesives to fail faster than they would inland. For outdoor patios within a few blocks of the water, we specify a polymer-modified mortar and a grout with low water absorption. For shower walls and floors, we use a full waterproofing membrane rather than relying on moisture-resistant cement board alone. These are not upsells. They are the prep that makes a coastal install last as long as an inland one.

Porcelain is fired at a higher temperature and absorbs less than 0.5% water, which makes it more appropriate for wet areas, outdoor use, and high-traffic floors. Ceramic absorbs more moisture but is easier to cut and generally less expensive, making it a practical choice for dry wall areas and backsplashes where the primary concern is appearance. For showers, patios, and any floor that will see foot traffic, we typically recommend porcelain. For a kitchen backsplash or a decorative accent wall, a quality ceramic works well and opens up a wider range of handmade and artisan tile options.

Sanded and unsanded cement grout should be sealed after curing, which takes approximately 72 hours. In coastal conditions, we recommend sealing annually in high-moisture areas like showers. Epoxy grout is non-porous and does not require sealing, but it is harder to work with and costs more to install. We apply an initial sealer as part of the project completion. After that, a homeowner can maintain it with a spray-on penetrating sealer once a year, which is a ten-minute task.

A shower remodel means the shower is out of commission until the grout cures, which takes roughly 24 to 48 hours after the last grout application. If the bathroom has a tub and a separate shower, one fixture is typically usable throughout. We contain the work area with plastic sheeting to limit dust migration into the rest of the house and clean at the end of each day. For a full bathroom floor replacement, the toilet comes out and goes back in the same day, so access is limited only during working hours.

This is the scenario that catches homeowners off guard when they hire someone who does not look first. When we demo existing tile and find saturated cement board, soft drywall, or a failed pan liner, we stop and show you what we found before continuing. The additional repair work is scoped and priced separately from the original estimate. We do not proceed over a compromised substrate. Tiling over a damaged base is the fastest way to repeat the same failure in two years.

We handle demolition as part of the project. Tile demo generates more debris than most homeowners expect, and the method matters. Aggressive demo on a shower can damage the pan liner or the wall framing if done carelessly. We include controlled demo, haul-away of the tile debris, and substrate inspection in our scope. If you have already removed the old tile yourself, we are happy to start from that point, and the estimate will reflect the reduced scope.