Frequently Asked Questions

The simplest way is to call us at (726) 900-1278 or use the contact form on this site. We will ask a few questions about the room, the approximate square footage, and what material you are thinking about. For most projects, we prefer to do a quick walkthrough in person before finalizing a number, because substrate condition and access can affect the scope. We do not charge for the initial walkthrough.

No. Many clients come to us before they have made any material decisions, and that is actually fine. We can talk through options, point you toward local suppliers who carry what you need, and help you understand the trade-offs between different materials in terms of installation complexity and long-term durability. If you already have tile picked out or purchased, we are equally happy to work with that.

We check the substrate condition during the walkthrough. If a subfloor has too much flex, or a wall has moisture damage behind the drywall, we will tell you directly. Tile set over a bad substrate will crack or de-bond over time regardless of how well the tile itself is installed. Some prep work falls within our scope; other issues like structural repairs or plumbing leaks need to be addressed by the appropriate trade first. We would rather have that conversation upfront than discover it mid-job.

A bathroom floor in a single room usually takes one to two working days including an overnight cure for the mortar before grouting. A full shower remodel with walls, floor, and a niche runs three to four days. Kitchen backsplashes are often one day. Kitchen floors depend heavily on square footage and pattern complexity. We will give you a project-specific timeline when we quote the job, not a vague range.

For bathroom projects, plan to be without that bathroom for the duration of the work plus a cure period afterward. If you have a second bathroom, the disruption is manageable. Kitchen backsplashes are less disruptive and the kitchen is often partially usable. We work to minimize the time your space is out of service and communicate the schedule clearly so you can plan around it.

It matters quite a bit. The mortar type is matched to the tile material and the substrate. Large-format porcelain tiles require a medium-bed or large-tile mortar that is more flexible and has better coverage than standard thin-set. Natural stone often calls for a white mortar to avoid color bleed-through on lighter materials. Wet areas get an appropriate waterproofing membrane before any mortar is applied. We use materials rated for the specific application rather than defaulting to whatever is cheapest.

Generally 24 to 48 hours after grouting before light use, and we recommend avoiding heavy steam for the first 72 hours. Epoxy grout cures faster than cement-based grout. We will give you specific guidance based on the products used on your job. Rushing the cure period is one of the more common reasons tile installations develop problems early, so this is worth following.

Most cement-based grouts benefit from a penetrating sealer applied after the initial cure. It reduces staining and makes routine cleaning easier. We discuss this with every client at the end of the project and can apply sealer as part of the job. Some grout types, including certain epoxy grouts, do not require sealing. We will tell you what you have and what the maintenance needs are before we leave the job site.

Isolated cracks that appear months or years after installation are usually caused by movement in the substrate, impact damage, or settling. If something goes wrong in the first few weeks after we complete a job and it is related to our work, contact us and we will come take a look. We take our work seriously and we stand behind it. We ask that you also take care of any underlying structural or moisture issues that were flagged before the install, since tile cannot fix what is happening underneath it.