Tile is one of the few trades where the difference between excellent and poor work is invisible for two years, then very expensive. These questions will tell you a lot in ten minutes.
About the work
- What waterproofing system do you use? You want a product name — Kerdi, Wedi, Hydro Ban. “We waterproof it” is not an answer.
- Will you use an uncoupling membrane over my subfloor? Over plywood in Ontario, the answer should be yes without hesitation.
- How will you handle levelling? They should want to look at the floor before answering.
- Do you back-butter large format tile? If they ask what that means, stop.
- What grout joint width, and why? Should relate to whether the tile is rectified.
- Will you flood test the shower base? Yes is the only right answer.
About the business
- Are you insured? Ask to see the certificate, not just to be told.
- Are you a registered business? A registered corporation has something to lose.
- Can I see recent work in my area? Local, recent, and ideally similar in scope.
- Who is actually on site? Sometimes the person quoting is not the person tiling.
- What is the payment schedule? Large deposits up front are a warning sign.
- What happens if you find a problem behind the wall? You want to hear that they will stop and talk to you before spending your money.
Warning signs
- A quote dramatically below the others. Find out what it excludes.
- No written quote.
- Pressure to decide today.
- Cash-only with no paperwork.
- Vague or irritated answers about waterproofing.
Good signs
- They ask to see the space before quoting.
- They ask about your subfloor and check for movement.
- They talk you out of something — a material that will not suit the room, a layout that will produce slivers.
- The written quote itemises preparation, not just tile.
We answer all twelve of these on every estimate, whether or not anyone asks. See why clients choose us or read our verified Google reviews.
Get a free estimate
Ultra Renovations Inc has been installing tile across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and the wider GTA for over ten years. We are a registered Ontario corporation, fully insured, and rated 5.0 on Google.
Call (647) 648-8985 or request a free estimate and we will come out, measure properly, look at your subfloor, and give you a written quote for your project at no cost.