Frequently Asked Questions

Call us at (312) 874-5999 or fill out the form on the contact page. We'll set up a time to walk the space, take measurements, and discuss what you have in mind. Estimates are free and we'll put it in writing.

No. You can reach out at any point in the process — before you've picked tile, after you've picked it, or even after you've already purchased it. We can offer input on tile selection if that's helpful, particularly around suitability for the surface (floor-rated vs. wall-rated tile, slip resistance for wet areas, etc.), but we don't require that you use any specific supplier.

Substrate is whatever the tile gets installed on — concrete, cement board, drywall, plywood, existing tile, etc. The substrate needs to be structurally sound, flat to within a certain tolerance (typically 3/16" over 10 feet for most tile), and appropriate for the tile size and application. In wet areas like showers, it also needs to be waterproofed. If the substrate isn't right, tile will crack, grout will fail, or the whole installation will shift over time. We always assess the substrate before quoting and factor prep work into the estimate.

It depends on scope. A kitchen backsplash is usually a one-day job. A full bathroom — including demo, waterproofing, tile setting, and grouting — typically runs three to five days. Larger bathrooms, custom patterns, or projects with significant substrate issues take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline before we start and keep you posted if anything changes.

Usually not during active work days, and never before the thinset and grout have fully cured. For a shower, we typically ask that it not be used for 48-72 hours after grouting to allow the grout to reach working strength. For a kitchen backsplash, the kitchen can usually be used the same evening as long as we're not working near the cooktop or sink.

Some breakage during cutting is normal and expected — that's why we ask customers to order 10-15% extra material. If a tile breaks or chips after it's been set, we'll replace it at no additional charge as long as matching tile is available. We're careful with your material throughout the job.

Sanded grout contains fine sand aggregate and is used for joints wider than 1/8 inch. It's more stable in wider joints because the sand prevents shrinkage cracking. Unsanded grout is smoother and used for narrow joints (under 1/8 inch) or on polished or easily scratched tile surfaces like marble, where the sand in sanded grout could leave marks. We select the appropriate grout type for your tile and joint size.

We recommend sealing cement-based grout on floor and wet-area installations. Epoxy grout doesn't require sealing, but standard cement grout is porous and will absorb stains without a sealer. We can apply sealer as part of the job — ask about it when we're discussing the scope. Note that grout needs to cure fully (typically 48-72 hours) before sealer is applied.

Large-format tile (anything over 15 inches on the longest side, by industry standard) requires a flatter substrate, a back-buttering technique where thinset is applied to both the substrate and the tile back, and often a medium-bed mortar rather than standard thinset. It's more demanding to set correctly — lippage (where one tile edge is higher than the adjacent tile) is more noticeable with large tile and requires careful attention to layout and leveling. We handle large-format tile regularly and account for the extra prep time in the estimate.