| After evaluating your skills and interest in adding tile | | | | 3. Credentials. Before you sign any contracts, but |
| to your home, you realized you're just not a | | | | after you choose the perfect professional for your |
| do-it-yourself handyman. No worries, you can always | | | | tiling project, you must make sure that he has liability |
| go the professional route and hire a contractor for | | | | insurance, which protects you in case the contractor |
| your tile installation project. But, hiring someone you | | | | damages your home or any injuries occur during the |
| can trust to follow through and finish the project to | | | | construction process. Also, check that he has |
| your specifications is job one when hunting for | | | | workman's comp insurance, which protects the |
| contractors. With so many "Contractor from hell" | | | | contractor and any of his employees while they work |
| horror stories out there, take these six steps as the | | | | in your home. The contractor must be licensed in |
| first towards your project's happy ending. | | | | your state. On your end, if your tiling project requires |
| 1. Research. Do extensive research online or ask | | | | any permits, get them. |
| trusted family and friends about their experiences | | | | 4. Paperwork. Get everything in writing! Estimates, |
| with contractors. Get quotes from at least three | | | | warranties, everything the contractor will do or |
| different individuals or companies-you'd be surprised in | | | | charges you for must be in writing before you get |
| the price differences for the same tiling job. Don't | | | | started. This avoids confusion about what exactly |
| automatically go with the cheapest quote or the first | | | | you, the customer, wants done and eliminates hidden |
| Google hit. The most expensive contractor won't | | | | charges or fees. Some things to look for in a |
| always do the highest-quality work, and the cheapest | | | | standard contract: Warranty details (what's included, |
| price doesn't mean you'll save money. In fact, you | | | | how long it lasts), acceptable forms of payment, |
| may spend more money fixing a shoddy tiling job | | | | payment schedule, and a timetable for the start and |
| from a cheap contractor. A good way to evaluate | | | | finish of your tiling project. |
| potential customers is to break the costs down by | | | | 5. Review. Don't take your contractor's word for it. |
| line item, such as hourly wages and tile material costs. | | | | Double-check and verify everything in your contract |
| 2. References. Although you can find verified | | | | with your state's laws. Verify the schedule of |
| customer reviews on websites like Angie's list, also | | | | payments and any right to cancel clauses. If it's a |
| ask trusted friends and family about their previous | | | | particularly large or expensive tiling project |
| home contractor experiences. Don't feel obligated to | | | | ($15,000+), you could hire a lawyer to review the |
| use a family friend, but if you hire without a personal | | | | contract for any errors or inconsistencies. |
| contact, still get references from former, or loyal, | | | | By taking your time to do it right the first time, hiring |
| customers. Ask: Were you satisfied with the work? | | | | a contractor for a professional tiling job in your home |
| Would you hire the contractor for future projects? | | | | or backyard will be worth it for the expert touch and |
| Did you find anything unsatisfactory about the tiling | | | | quality results-and you can enjoy the results without |
| job? Grill the contractor personally with questions like: | | | | breaking a sweat! |
| How many years have you been in business? What is | | | | Learn more great tips on home improvement directly |
| your work schedule for my project? Will you be | | | | from the Denver Tile Installation website, just click |
| subcontracting any outside help? | | | | through to the blog when you get there. |