Interiors & Finishes
Tile Installation
Porcelain, stone, shower and backsplash tile set over flat, waterproofed substrates by specialist partners, with every layer checked before it is covered.
Overview
Tile is a system, not a surface. Under every floor, shower and backsplash is a substrate that has to be flat, solid and, in wet areas, waterproofed. Large-format porcelain exposes uneven floors; showers depend on correct slope and a continuous waterproofing membrane; stone needs the right setting materials and sealing.
Specialist tile partners perform the installation under our supervision. We confirm layout and tile selections with you, check substrate flatness and waterproofing before tile goes down, and inspect alignment, lippage, grout and movement joints when it is done.
In Florida, most tile goes directly over concrete slabs, so slab cracks, moisture and flatness are evaluated before setting begins.
Who it’s for
- Owners installing porcelain or stone floors through a home or business
- Bathroom renovations with new showers, tub surrounds and floors
- Kitchen backsplashes and accent walls
- Curbless or walk-in showers with linear drains
- Commercial restrooms, lobbies and food service areas
What’s included
Typically included
- Layout planning: tile direction, centering, cut placement and transitions
- Substrate evaluation for flatness and cracks, with leveling and crack-isolation as needed
- Uncoupling or crack-isolation membranes over slabs where appropriate
- Shower construction: sloped mortar bed or pre-formed pan, cement board or foam board, and a sheet or liquid waterproofing membrane
- Flood testing of shower pans before tile
- Setting porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, glass and mosaic tile with mortars suited to each material
- Movement joints at perimeters and changes of plane, and in large floor areas, following industry guidelines
- Grouting, sealing of natural stone and grout where specified, and final cleaning
Common exclusions
- Tile and stone material, unless included as an allowance
- Removal of existing tile, unless included in the scope
- Plumbing valves, drains and fixtures, which are installed by the licensed plumbing contractor
- Structural slab repair, which requires its own evaluation
- Shower glass enclosures, unless specifically scoped
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Tile is priced by the square foot of installed area, with showers, niches and benches often priced as their own items. The estimate is built from the measured area, the tile size and material, the layout pattern, and the substrate preparation and waterproofing required.
Substrate condition has a large effect on cost. A flat, sound slab needs little work; an uneven slab or a shower converted to curbless needs leveling, recessing or added layers. When tile is part of a kitchen or bath renovation, it is priced within that project.
What changes the cost
- Tile size, material and fragility – large-format, natural stone and mosaics take more time
- Layout pattern and the number of cuts
- Substrate flatness, leveling and crack isolation
- Shower complexity: niches, benches, curbless entry, linear drains
- Waterproofing system and any heated floor
- Removal of existing tile and disposal
- Grout type and sealing requirements
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Selection and layout
Tile, grout and trim pieces are confirmed, and layouts are drawn or marked for each area.
Substrate preparation
Slabs are checked for flatness and cracks, and leveling, membranes and backer board are installed.
Waterproofing and flood test
Shower and wet-area waterproofing is installed and the shower pan is flood-tested.
Setting
Tile is set with mortar suited to the material, with alignment and lippage checked as work proceeds.
Grout, joints and sealing
Grout and movement joints are completed, and stone or grout is sealed where specified.
Final inspection
We inspect lines, cuts, lippage and grout and confirm the area is clean and complete.
What affects the schedule
- Tile selections and material delivery, especially for imported or special-order products
- Plumbing rough-in and inspection, which must be complete before shower construction
- Curing time for mortar beds, leveling compounds and waterproofing
- Flood test results before tile is installed in showers
- Sequencing with cabinets and countertops for backsplashes
Questions & answers
Why does my floor need leveling before large tile?
Large-format tile bridges high and low spots instead of following them, which causes uneven edges and hollow areas that can crack. Industry guidelines call for tighter flatness under larger tile, so floors are checked and leveled first.
How is a shower kept from leaking?
Tile and grout are not waterproof. A continuous membrane behind the tile, sloped to the drain and integrated with it, keeps water out of the walls and floor. We flood-test the pan before tile goes in.
Do I need to seal my tile?
Porcelain tile does not usually need sealing. Natural stone and cement grout generally do, and periodic resealing keeps them resistant to stains.
Why are there flexible joints instead of grout in some places?
Buildings and slabs move with temperature and moisture. Soft movement joints at walls, changes of plane and across large floor areas absorb that movement so tiles do not crack or lift.
Start here
Planning tile installation?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.