Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Tile Floor Installation
Tile Floor Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Tile Floor Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Tile Floor Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Tile Floor Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Tile Floor Installation labor cost? What are the important Tile Floor Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Tile Floor Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Tile Floor Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Tile Floor Installation expect to pay between $4.53 to $5.33 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Tile Floor Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Tile Floor Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Tile Floor Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Tile Floor Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the floor tile may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Tile Floor Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Tile Floor Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Tile Floor Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Tile Floor Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Tile Floor Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Tile Floor Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Tile Floor Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All tile flooring from the same manufacturers lot
- A detailed tile flooring layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- The installed tile flooring height will be within 1/4 inch of the height of adjacent finished flooring
- Install floor tile 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 floor tile 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 floor tile length
- The smallest cut dimension of tile flooring will be NO LESS than 50% of the uncut dimension; note: tile flooring layout can be changed to accommodate this requirement
- Installed tile flooring surface variations along a 4 foot straight edge will not exceed 1/16 inch - from any location along any direction
- All floor tile will be installed with uniform spacing of __1/16 inch __1/8 inch __3/8 inch __other All "sight" lines between floor tile will be "straight" to within 1/4 inch in 10 feet
- Finished tile flooring will feel uniformly solid and rigid under pressure
- Finished tile flooring will not shift, squeak or creak when walked upon
- The tile flooring surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Tile Floor Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Tile Floor Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the floor tile 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 floor tile, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order floor tile; 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 floor tile; 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 Tile Floor 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 floor tile using manufacturer recommended thinset adhesive, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Install tile 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 tile flooring surfaces - without scraping, scratching or otherwise damaging the floor tile
- Save and label extra floor tile 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
