Do's and Dont's of Choosing a Tile Installer to do Work in your Home

Tile installation is a very specialized trade and most tile after installed is in effect a concrete like product and can't easily be changed. In most cases if change is needed then new material will have to be repurchased. So it is imperative to hire a qualified professional tile installer to do your work. But How do you know who to choose?

Here are some basic guide lines that can help you make an educated choice.

1. Its always nice to find someone one of your friends has had in their home and has had experience with the installer's work, so start with friends and family to see if any one knows a quality tile installer
2. If none of your friends or family knows of a good tile installer , then the newspaper or numerous internet classified sites are your best bet, the most known of course is craigslist.
3. Always get at least 3 quotes  and if they seem like high prices  they probably are and continue looking until you find something comfortable for you.  The most economical way to go is to find a labor only installer and supply the materials yourself.
4. ALWAYS  get and check as many references as possible  the best reference is a completed tile job somewhere in public  that you can go out on your own and see for yourself.

For instance,  I have 2 jobs in the public mall here in Boston on the North Shore that anyone can just go into the store and see the work.
5.  Longevity and durability of a job is very important  if you can talk to a customer of your installer who's job was done some years ago  you will know the job is still in tack and done in a quality manner and you will get a lasting installation
6.Ask questions of your prospective installer before committing to hiring him. NEVER let ANY installer tell you its ok to lay tile on top of a wood substructure, It will not last half the life of tile laid on Hardiboard or Durock your grout can crack and tile break  from wood movement and any water ever on your floor will cause failure . make sure any tile laid in a wet area such as shower or bathroom is installed with thin set concrete and NOT tile mastic as mastic does not do  well in a wet environment. Never install tile in a shower on Sheetrock  or green board use only Hardi board or durock.
7. Always insist your installer use spacers and if he tells you he doesn't need them he can do well without them  then  don't hire him  period. I've been installing tile for over 37 years  and can lay a floor without spacers  but the finished product is  NEVER  as clean and straight as the one done with spacers.
8. I personally would never want any bench in my shower built out of wood, wood in a wet area makes no sense. Cement blocks are much less costly and will last forever.  I would insist on a concrete block bench in my shower
9. Finally your installer  will be in your house for some  days make sure your choice for a installer is one you feel comfortable and at ease  with.

I hope this advice has given you some inside information and thoughts from a professional tile installer that will make your choice for a tile installer easier and less stressful   

Remember, tile installation is a very hard and physical trade right up there with stone masons, sheet rock hangers  and roofers many years of work can take a real toll on the body. I myself have had both my hips replaced,  my knees are sore, and my back hurts as i step out of the truck first thing in the morning. We deserve to make a good wage,  not outrageous , but fair and honest working pay. If you have any question about your job  as always I am here and accessible by phone to answer any questions from anyone who needs  guidance    chris lawson  Tile Excellence  978 471 9127

Basement Tiled Camouflage Floor I New Bathroom Tile Remodeling-

Bathroom Tiled Floor

Shower Curb

Custom Shower Bench

Mosaic Tile Shower Soap Box

Mosaic Tile Shower Soap Dish

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Tile Pattern Walls

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Shower Wall

Shower Bench

Shower Floor

Last week in Georgetown Ma. I completed 450 sq ft of tile in a basement and 120sq ft of tile in a adjoining new bathroom.Was a pretty simple job for me and the labor cost to the customer was $1350 for the 450 sq ft of floor tile and  $1000. for the bathroom. These customers were younger hard working first home owners.They used 18 by 18 porcelain tile on their basement floor and 2 ft by 6 inch tiles on the wall.The 18 by 18 floor tiles were what I would call a "real tree"pattern after the "real tree" line of clothing I love it !!I thought it to be the most natural soothing tile I EVER installed .The 2ft by 6 inch tiles on the shower wall looked just like wooden walls.The whole job screamed Chris Lawson!

This job was really enjoyable to me and I hope you enjoyed me sharing it with you.I give examples of my work and what I charge for such work as a reference for you the home owner and the consumer to know what costs for such work should be and how to know when you've met a reasonable tile man and when your being taken for a ride. I appreciate every reader and hard worker out there hope this benefits you and makes your tile choices and contractor shopping easier :) chris

Inside shower benches wood Or concrete block

I ask you what would you rather have inside your shower Wood or concrete?Seems like a no brainer to me.But surprisingly most tile guys are making their inside tile benches out of wood framing only because its easy.But the price of wood is high and wood is greatly effected by water.Concrete blocks on the other hand are very cheap and last forever inside your shower.Cost effective and long lasting

concrete block is the only way to go when a bench is built inside a shower. So when getting quotes to build your shower insist on concrete benches in your shower and If your tile guy cant do it find someone who can  and get a 100+ year bench in your shower