Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We schedule a walkthrough of your space, take measurements, and follow up with a written estimate that breaks down materials, labor, substrate prep, and timeline. Work does not begin until you have reviewed and approved the estimate. Nothing starts on a handshake.

Either way works. Some homeowners already have tile picked out from a showroom or have ordered it online. Others prefer that we source material based on the project requirements. If you supply the tile, we will review it before installation to confirm it is suitable for the application and that you have ordered enough to account for cuts and waste.

We typically recommend ordering 10 to 15 percent over your measured square footage. For diagonal or herringbone layouts, that overage should be closer to 15 to 20 percent due to additional cuts at the perimeter.

It depends on the scope. A standard bathroom floor and shower surround might take two to four days when you account for substrate prep, waterproofing cure time, tile setting, and grout. A full kitchen floor can often be done in one to two days. Larger projects or jobs with significant subfloor work take longer.

We will give you a realistic timeline in your written estimate. We do not rush curing steps to move faster.

We install porcelain, ceramic, natural stone (marble, travertine, slate, limestone), glass mosaic, cement tile, and large-format porcelain slabs up to 24x48 inches and larger. Each material has different requirements for mortar type, trowel size, and grout joint spacing. We adjust our methods to suit the specific tile, not the other way around.

Tile is rigid. If the surface beneath it flexes, the grout joints crack first, then the tile bond breaks, and eventually tiles crack or lift. The Tile Council of North America specifies a deflection limit of L/360 for floor assemblies under tile, meaning the floor should deflect no more than the span divided by 360 under load.

Older homes in Littleton and the south suburbs often have subfloors that do not meet this standard. We assess deflection during the walkthrough and recommend reinforcement or a decoupling membrane before any tile goes down.

A decoupling membrane is a thin polyethylene mat (Schluter Ditra is the most common brand) installed between the subfloor and the tile mortar bed. It allows the subfloor and tile to move independently, which prevents the movement and seasonal expansion in a wood subfloor from cracking the tile above.

It is not required in every situation, but we recommend it on wood subfloors, on floors with any detectable flex, and in rooms with radiant heat. We will tell you during the estimate whether your specific floor warrants it.

Yes. We apply a waterproofing membrane on every shower and tub surround we install. We use Schluter Kerdi sheet membrane, RedGard liquid waterproofing, or Wedi board depending on the substrate and configuration. Tile itself is not waterproof. The waterproofing layer behind it is what protects the wall assembly from moisture damage over time.

This is included in your estimate and is not an add-on.

Sometimes. Tiling over existing tile is possible when the existing tile is firmly bonded, the surface is flat, and the added height at thresholds and transitions is acceptable. We assess the existing installation during the walkthrough. If there is any looseness, hollow spots, moisture damage, or the height buildup would create problems at doorways or with fixtures, we will recommend removing the old tile first.

We ask that you wait at least 72 hours after grouting before using a newly tiled shower. This allows the grout to cure properly. For showers with an epoxy grout or a grout sealer applied, we may ask for a bit more time. We will give you the specific wait time for your project before we leave.