Tile Installation Information And Pricing Page:
We welcome the opportunity to provide you with information about the best and most complete ceramic tile service available. Although tile contractors provide a variety of services both inside and outside the home, the services can generally be narrowed down to only a few, and by telling you about these, I'll be able to give you an idea of what tile setting is about and what it usually costs.
To begin with, there are tile installers, and there are tile setters. Tile setters adhere to the old fashioned idea that things should only have to be done once if they're done right, and this thinking is literally "cast in concrete." Most of the projects we do incorporate the use of cement mortar and other products based on portland cement. Lumped together, all of these substances are referred to as "mud". Projects completed in this fashion will last a lifetime. Installers, on the other hand, have not had the benefit of the training people like myself have been privileged to receive and cannot make that guaranty.
TUB/SHOWER COMBINATIONS (Tub Surrounds): For several decades builders in our area and others have been installing ceramic tile over nothing more than sheetrock in wet areas such as showers. This can be evidenced by the number of people who call almost daily with tiles falling off the wall and into the tub. Sheetrock is light gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Once the paper gets wet, the problem begins. How long it takes for the problem to become apparent depends on how often the shower is used and how it has been maintained.
Ceramic wall tiles, contrary to popular belief, are not water-proof. They need something behind them that is water-proof, and the best thing is cement mortar -- "mud."
We do not repair "sheetrock showers." We tear them out and start from scratch, using time-honored techniques to re-build them. Including all labor and the cost of new materials, it runs $850 for a tub surround without a window in it and $950 if there is a window in the tiled area. These prices are based on the use of standard four-and-one-quarter inch American wall tile in smooth finishes -- your choice of color. Other tiles can be used -- the difference in cost is added to the bill. Ceramic tile shower stalls are priced individually, based on the amount of time they will take to complete. A typical 3 by 3 or 3 by 4 shower will start at $1,900 in labor -- plus the cost of materials. Shower pan replacements (shower bottoms) begin at $1,000 complete.
KITCHEN FLOORS: There are a number of tile installers who espouse putting the tiles over vinyl linoleum. I don't. For one thing, there is no way to determine how well the linoleum is glued to the slab without attempting to remove it. It's just a good idea to get the stuff out of the way. Tile floors are expensive, and they are permanent if done correctly. There's no room for shortcuts in the process.
Tile is sold and installed by the square foot. We charge $3.75 per square foot for installation and $1.25 per sq. ft. to remove the linoleum. The linoleum, of course, can be removed by anyone, and I encourage customers to do it themselves, if they wish to do so. Our fee for removing wall-to-wall carpeting is .75 per square foot. Small floor areas (bathrooms, entries, etc.) will be priced at a higher rate depending on their size and complexity.
We don't charge to tack carpet down in doorways, etc. We move appliances at no charge, but we charge $25.00 to remove and re-set toilets -- $50.00 to deal with pedestal sinks.
We do not install tiles directly onto wood floors. Some sort of masonry "substrate" must be provided. This can cost 2.00 per square foot or more.
OUTDOOR PROJECTS: Weather conditions affect our trade more than other trades. Because we use nothing but portland cement materials which have to set up and cure over a period of time, people like myself won't show up if there's a chance of rain or freezing conditions. We schedule our projects ahead of time (usually, weeks ahead of time) and try very hard to stick to the schedule. But it's not unusual for an outdoor project to be re-scheduled several times due to the weather conditions.
Patios, large porches, pool decks, and long walkways are treated like interior floors as far as price is concerned -- $3.75 per sq. ft. Smaller projects will be more, and I don't adhere to the tenet that "no job is too small." Some definitely are too small unless exorbitant rates are charged for the work.
Our business is labor -- that's how we make money -- but we will supply the tile needed for the job at our cost.
For more information, Please feel free to email us at: scentedcleaning@aol.com
