Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Slate Tile Flooring Installation
Slate Tile Flooring Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Slate Tile Flooring Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Slate Tile Flooring Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Slate Tile Flooring Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Slate Tile Flooring Installation labor cost? What are the important Slate Tile Flooring Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Slate Tile Flooring Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Slate Tile Flooring Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Slate Tile Flooring Installation expect to pay between $3.73 to $5.33 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Slate Tile Flooring Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Slate Tile Flooring Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Slate Tile Flooring Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Slate Tile Flooring Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the slate flooring may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Slate Tile Flooring Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Slate Tile Flooring Installation project involves tasks that are best performed by experienced professionals. Good quality Slate Tile Flooring Installation requires considerable experience, skill and attention to detail. Do it yourself mistakes are noticeable, may be difficulty to remedy and may actually reduce the market value of the project and your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Slate Tile Flooring Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Slate Tile Flooring Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Slate Tile Flooring Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Slate Tile Flooring Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All slate flooring from the same manufacturers lot
- A detailed slate flooring layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- The installed slate flooring height will be within 1/4 inch of the height of adjacent finished flooring
- Install slate flooring with horizontal edges level and vertical edges plumb to within 1/32 inch
- All holes, cuts and notches necessary to complete the work will be no larger than 25% of the object routed through the opening; cuts will be clean and uniform; all framing holes, notches and modifications will fully comply with local code guidelines
- Stagger slate flooring joint ends in adjacent courses in a (choose one): __uniform ___random pattern, with no joint ends in adjacent courses closer than 1/4 the typical slate flooring length
- The smallest cut dimension of slate flooring will be NO LESS than 50% of the uncut dimension; note: slate flooring layout can be changed to accommodate this requirement
- Installed slate flooring surface variations along a 4 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/16 inch - from any location along any direction
- All slate flooring will be installed with uniform spacing of __1/16 inch __1/8 inch __3/8 inch __other All "sight" lines between slate flooring will be "straight" to within 1/4 inch in 10 feet
- Finished slate flooring will feel uniformly solid and rigid under pressure
- Finished slate flooring will not shift, squeak or creak when walked upon
- The slate flooring surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Slate Tile Flooring Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Slate Tile Flooring Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the slate flooring work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of slate flooring, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order slate flooring; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of slate flooring; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Review material choices for Slate Tile Flooring Installation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Secure subfloor to framing; eliminate squeaks and soft spots
- Install slate flooring using manufacturer recommended thinset adhesive, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Install slate flooring to fit closely around fixtures and fittings
- Apply grout and apply suitable grout sealer after grout has fully cured
- Carefully remove all manufacturers labels and clean the slate flooring surfaces - without scraping, scratching or otherwise damaging the slate flooring
- Save and label extra slate flooring for future repairs; make sure that manufacturer, model, color, lot and any other identifying information is noted on the label
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
