Tile installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tile installation is

Tile installation prepares the surface, lays out the tile for even cuts, sets it in mortar, spaces it evenly and finishes with grout and sealer on floors or walls. People need it for a new floor, a new wall surround or a worn-out tile area, and the work depends on a flat, sound base under the tile.

Signs you need it

  • Tiles are cracked, loose, hollow when tapped, or pulling away from the wall or the floor
  • Grout is crumbling, stained or missing, and water is soaking into the joints
  • The floor is uneven or out of level, and the new tile would show the lippage at the edges
  • The room has a floor that needs to be stronger or water-resistant for a bath, laundry or entry
  • You want a pattern, a larger format or a new layout that the old tile does not give you

What the pro does

  • Check the subfloor or wall base for flatness, movement and moisture, and repair or level it before any tile goes down
  • Snap layout lines and dry-fit the tile to plan even cuts at the room edges and around fixtures
  • Mix the thinset to the product's directions, back-butter large tiles where needed, and set the tile with a notched trowel
  • Use spacers and a level to keep the tile flat and the joints even, checking the surface as the thinset sets
  • Cut the tile around the edges, drains, toilets and outlets, and fit the trim or bullnose pieces at exposed edges
  • Grout the joints after the thinset cures, seal the grout and the stone if needed, then clean the haze off the surface

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Area of tile and the number of rooms, plus the amount of cutting around fixtures and corners
  • Tile material, size and format, since large-format and stone tile need flatter substrates and more labor
  • Subfloor or wall condition, including leveling compound, backer board or a membrane
  • Pattern layout, such as diagonal, herringbone or a border, which adds cuts and waste
  • Grout type and color, and whether the grout lines are narrow or wide
  • Removal of the old tile and the disposal of the old material

What a written quote should spell out

  • Square footage by room with the waste allowance and the tile count included
  • Tile name, size, finish and the number of boxes, with the grout color and type named
  • Substrate prep steps, including the leveling and backer board or membrane used
  • Thinset product name and the grout product name, with the sealer if used
  • Removal, disposal, transitions and trim pieces listed as separate items

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the substrate under the tile, and how do you check it for flatness and movement?
  • What thinset and backer do you use, and is it rated for the room and the tile size?
  • How do you lay out the tile so the cuts at the walls are not too narrow?
  • How do you handle lippage on large-format tile?
  • What grout do you use, and when do I seal it?
  • Can you show me a tile floor you installed in a room of similar size and tile type?

Red flags

  • The pro sets tile over a floor that flexes or has loose boards, and says it will hold
  • The pro uses thinset without checking the back of the tile for full coverage on large format
  • The pro lays the tile with no layout and ends up with thin cuts at the walls
  • The pro grouts before the thinset has set, or says the floor can be walked on the same day

What you can do yourself

A homeowner with patience can set tile on a flat, sound, dry base in a small room, and can grout and seal the finished floor. Tile on a floor that flexes, on a shower pan, or in any wet area with moisture behind the walls should be handled by an experienced installer, because leaks and loose tile show up after the surface is done.

Licenses and permits

Tile installation commonly does not need a license, but waterproofing in wet areas, subfloor repair and structural work can require credentials or permits. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you start a wet-area job.

Tile installation questions

Can tile go over an existing floor?

Sometimes, if the old floor is flat, firmly attached and clean. Ask the pro to check the height change at the doors, the condition of the old floor and whether a layer of backer is needed.

Why does grout crack?

Grout cracks when the floor flexes, the joints are too narrow, or the grout was mixed or cured wrong. Ask the pro how the substrate was checked and which grout is rated for the joint width and the room.

How long before I can use a tile floor?

Foot traffic is usually allowed after the thinset cures, and heavy furniture and grout sealing come later. Ask the pro for the cure times for each product they use.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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