Before You Hire
Select Surfaces sells tile and installation materials and provides design and product guidance; we do not perform tile installation. The quality of the installer matters just as much as the quality of the tile, particularly for showers, large-format materials, natural stone, exterior work, and detailed custom layouts.
Use these questions when speaking with a prospective tile setter. A qualified professional should be comfortable explaining their training, methods, experience, and insurance.
Tile has many variables, and focused experience matters. Ask who will actually complete the work and how long that person or crew has specialized in tile installation. Five or more years is a reasonable benchmark to look for, alongside relevant training and a strong project history.
Ask for specifics. Apprenticeship under a qualified tile installer, industry education, certification, and current manufacturer training can indicate that an installer follows evolving standards and understands new products and systems.
The answer can reveal how the installer plans, solves problems, and responds when site conditions are not straightforward. For a complex project, it may be useful for the tile setter, general contractor, and designer to meet before work begins.
Look for completed projects similar to yours, close-up details, and consistency over time. A credible business should be able to show a traceable history of relevant work and customer feedback.
References can help you understand the installer's communication, reliability, jobsite practices, attention to detail, and performance after the project is complete.
Ask how the installer will approach the substrate, slope, drain, waterproofing, seams, penetrations, transitions, flood testing where applicable, and movement accommodation. A long-lasting shower depends on the system behind the tile—not on tile and grout alone.
Mortars, membranes, grouts, sealants, and other components should be selected for the application and installed according to current manufacturer requirements. Ask whether the proposed products are compatible and how using them together affects available warranties.
The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards are widely recognized references for tile installation methods and materials. A qualified installer should understand which standards and methods apply to your project.
Ceramic, porcelain, glass, mosaics, handmade tile, large-format tile, porcelain panels, and natural stone can require different preparation, handling, cutting, setting, and finishing techniques. Confirm relevant experience with the actual material you plan to use.
Ask for current documentation and confirm that the coverage is appropriate for the work and the people who will be on the jobsite.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Verify the rules that apply to your project and confirm any required license directly with the appropriate authority.
Professional involvement can show an ongoing commitment to education, technical resources, industry standards, and the craft of tile installation.
The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation's Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program evaluates an installer's knowledge and hands-on skills against tile-industry standards. Certification is one useful indicator of professionalism and demonstrated competence.
To learn more or search for a Certified Tile Installer, visit the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation installer directory.
