Tips for a Successful Installation

1. Be Realistic.

You get what you pay for ! Tile is one of the most expensive finish coatings you can have done in your home. With this said, there is a reason why it is. Tile if installed and maintained correctly will last the lifetime of your home plus it can't be surpassed in beauty and function.

2. Start Looking.

The tile available on the market is endless. From ceramic, through body porcelain, glazed porcelain, polished porcelain, porcelain imitading stone, metal , glass and stone. The options are endless. Not only do you have to decide what tile to install, what size, color and you also have to decide if you want something fancy or a basic pattern. To make things easier on you and me , start looking on the internet and at the local flooring centers for what you may want in your home. I can't tell you what you like , only you can do that.

3. Set a Budget.

The cost of having tile installed in your home varies. It all depends what you are wanting installed and how long it takes to install it properly. The best thing you can do is set a budget. This will help me be able to help you , especially if you are wanting me to order or provide the materials for you. It is all to common to be contacted by customers who just can't afford what they are wanting. If I know your budget , I can provide you with the best material and installation for your moneys worth. Make it easier on everyone. Set a budget !

4. Experience Matters.

Tilesetting is a specialized trade. The knowledge and eye for detail for this trade comes with training and experience. Be careful of those who say they install tile. There is WAY to many untrained and unexperienced people advertising that they install tile but use improper installation procedures and don't know how to finish off the tile the way a trained professional does. How can you know what the professional standards are if you have never been trained by a professional ? What this improper installation leaves you with is tile that can starting popping loose, breaking or the grout coming out of the joints within a matter of weeks or in a couple of years. That's right. It can take as long as two years for the tile to fail because of a bad installation. You also might want to make sure that the installers you talk to can provide before and after pictures. With technology being the way it is nowadays, anyone can copy and paste a picture and then print it out. Before and afters make it harder to do. Do yourself a favor , hire an trained, experienced installer who can show before and afters, references of past customers, and will stand behind his work. Experience matters.

5. Be Realistic Again.

Having tile installed can be a time consuming process. Especially, if you are wanting intriquette patterns and natural stone installed. I love it when I hear people say that doing tile is easy. It tells me right away they have very little if any experience doing it. I have spent weeks working on 3'x5' thowdown mosaic rugs that involve tile, glass beads, copper tubing and flashing. Please be realistic in the amount of time it takes to have your tile installed. If anyone brags about how fast they are but can't show you what the end result was of that super speed , you might want to stay clear of them.

6. Enjoy.

Now that you have had your new tile job installed by professionals like Kelly Marston Tile & Stone, it is time to enjoy your new investment. It will add a beauty to your home like nothing else . It is easy to clean , sanitize and is extremely durable. It will add value to your home and it shows that you like nice things. Enjoy your new tiled home.