Hiring a qualified tile setter, what to look for

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Many people like to try their hand at remodeling jobs themselves, while others prefer to leave it to professionals. The way the tile in your kitchen and bathroom looks can have an impact on the overall look of the room as a whole, so it's important that it is set by someone who knows what they are doing.

If you are looking to hire a qualified tile setter, the following are some tips to look for:

Ask questions.
Each tile setter has his or her own way of doing things, so it's important to ask questions on the type of work they are going to do. At the same time, it's important to know what you want beforehand so you can tell whether or not the tile setter is qualified for your job or not.

Some things you may want to ask include:

  • What type of grout will you be using? Ask whether they will be using epoxy or cement-based grout. Cement based grout will be to be sealed every so often, so you'll need to know which type of grout is being used in order to care for it.
  •  Will you be sealing the project? Ask when or if the tile setter plans on sealing the project tiles once it is finished. Sometimes, they will return later after the grout has set for a specified period of time. If they won't, then you will have to seal it yourself.
  •  Will you be using spacers or not? Some tile setters, especially experienced ones, will not use spacers on their projects. If you have very straight tiles, however, and want to make sure the spacing is perfect, you can request they use spacers. If you do this, ask how much extra it will cost you.
  •  Will you remove the old tile/counter? Some tile setters will require that you remove the old tile or counter before they begin their work. Others will do it themselves for an additional fee. Make sure you know before they begin. If you are capable of doing it yourself and want to save money, this is a good way to do so.
  •  Do you have pictures of past jobs? Many tile setters or contractors have portfolios or pictures of past jobs. This is an excellent way to tell whether or not they do the kind of work you want in your home.
Ask for recommendations. If you have friends or family members who have tile jobs in their homes that you particularly like, ask them who did the work. Or, you can ask co-workers or neighbors who have recently remodeled or built a home if they have a tile setter they can recommend.

Shop around.
You will need to shop around and ask a number of different tile setters for estimates on the project you will be doing, since you will most likely find a wide range of estimates. Go with the one who has the best credentials and recommendations that will fit within your budget.

Hiring a qualified tile setter is important for the overall quality and aesthetics for the project you would like. These are a few tips to help you know how to select the right tile setter to help you get the job you need at a price within your budget.

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