When choosing a tile contractor, you expect the job to be completed the right way from the get-go. Sadly, you do not always have the ability to view the contractor’s previous work to determine if you should avoid their services. There are countless stories about everyday people being scammed out of their money by phoney contractors or coming home to a broken floor. Before you make a hiring mistake and ruin your home’s interior, take a step back and be mindful of the necessary precautions.
In this article, we will be going through the top things to avoid when hiring a tile contractor to avoid paying strangers to destroy your house.
- Do not assume that your contractor is licensed and insured
The absence of adequate credentials is one of the biggest red flags for any contractor. Checking that your contractor is licensed to perform the work you’re engaging them for should be at the top of your to-do list. Always verify that your prospective installation has a valid licence or insurance. Verify if the prospective company has general liability insurance. This insurance protects your home against damage or negligence caused by the contractor, his staff, or subcontractors. You would be well-advised to request a copy of their insurance certificate.
Check the expiration date carefully. It is prudent to contact the issuing company to confirm if their insurance is in effect. Ensure that they have workers’ compensation coverage. It shields you from liability in the event that a worker is hurt on your property. Be aware that if the contractor lacks workers’ compensation coverage, you will be responsible for any injuries sustained by the contractor or his employees on your property.
- Do not hire a contractor without doing a background check
Consider the following scenario: a professional recommends a person with superb installation services, and you employ him blindly. However, it turns out that the professional is really a subpar handyman. This error occurs when background research on the available sources is not conducted. A picture is worth a thousand words, so request high-quality photographs of completed projects. Sift through the portfolio, and you will be capable of distinguishing between the work of a below-average and a high-class installer.
There should be uniform tile spacing and completely straight grout lines. Check that the arrangement is balanced and that any cut tiles are the same size, even if they are located on opposing sides of the room. Consider the windows, doorways, and corners. These are the most difficult areas to work around and should indicate the tile installer’s skill level. Leave if you observe wide gaps, excessive grout, or tiles that do not fit properly.
Even if you receive referrals, you should enquire about their skills, years of experience, credentials, and previous client projects.
- Do not consider low prices as a good deal
If you submit your job to multiple contractors for bids, you will likely receive a range of responses. However, if one looks too good (and low) to be accurate, this is most likely a major red flag. This lower rate for you may be the result of cost-cutting elsewhere. Perhaps they aren’t employing the most excellent quality materials, aren’t keeping up with the newest innovations, or, worst of all, aren’t carrying workers’ compensation and other insurance.
Consequently, they may vanish if a problem arises on the job site. Moreover, what may appear to be a reasonable fee at the beginning of a project might quickly escalate as the work progresses. Choosing the cheapest rate can have substantial negative repercussions in the future, so be sure to weigh all of your options and ask the contractors you’re considering working with what went into their bids.
- Do not start your operation without a contract
Once you’ve discovered a tile installer who fulfils your requirements, request a written warranty. Do not begin employment without a contract. The document should cover the project’s scope, the cost of supplies and labour, the timeline, and payment terms. A competent installer has no qualms about guaranteeing their work.
You wouldn’t trust a product if it came without a warranty, would you? Never accept a verbal confirmation because talk is cheap, but repairing the job of a sloppy contractor is not. Always insist on getting a written warranty if anything were to go wrong. The contract should specify precisely what is covered and what is not, as well as its duration. A minimum one-year warranty should be part of your agreement with your contractor.
- Do not ignore internet reviews
In most circumstances, online reviews will provide insightful information about the contractors you are considering hiring for your tiling job. In general, the more reviews, the better. They have an extensive history of experience, provided most of their clients are satisfied, and their clientele is willing to endorse them. As you investigate a potential installation, keep an ear to the ground.
Request testimonials, references, and online evaluations on Facebook or Yelp. Please pay close attention to reviews that contain images so you can verify their work. Follow up with citations. Before hiring them, you should also Google their business name to see what information you can find. Better yet, if you have friends or neighbours who have recently completed a renovation, ask them to recommend their contractor. Typically, word-of-mouth recommendations are among the best.
- Do not tolerate tardiness
The contractor’s level of passion, devotion, and professionalism will be reflected in their punctuality to scheduled meetings. If they are unable to show up on time for an appointment to discuss your project before you’ve chosen to hire them, you can only picture what it will be like if you decide to hire them. This could result in schedule delays, expense overruns, a lack of response to your inquiries or concerns, and possibly an unfinished project. If a contractor cannot manage their own time to attend meetings, it is likely that they will not be able to manage your project’s timeline effectively.
- Do not forget to meet the contractors in-person
It is a terrible idea to employ the installation over the phone without first meeting them in person and conversing with them. Even if it involves bathroom tiles and seems trivial to the majority of people, it must be executed flawlessly, and only a professional may do so. Therefore, we recommend having an in-person meeting with the tile installation crew.
- Do not put up with unproductive communication
Effective communication before, during, and after a remodelling project significantly affects its success. You want to know immediately that the contractor is receptive to your requirements and concerns, quick to respond, and easily accessible. These are the types of topics you should be discussing with your contractor:
- A detailed and well-thought-out project plan
- Describe how they will keep you informed throughout the entirety of your remodel.
- A plan detailing who will work on your property and when, including subcontractors
- A means of discussing any cost adjustments
- A point of contact to whom one can direct any concerns
- Ways to implement your design recommendations and provide best practices
Suppose you work with someone who never returns your calls or answers their phone. Warning indicators include a lack of consideration for your input, an inability to provide a precise project timetable, a delay of several days in responding, or the provision of few or no design recommendations.
- Do not devalue the benefits of hiring a professional
Now that we have gone over the factors of when to avoid hiring a tile contractor, it is only right to show you the downsides of not hiring a tile contractor in the first place. It may be tempting to save money by delegating the task to a creative family member or conducting a do-it-yourself tile installation project. However, we must warn you that it will cause a severe headache. Therefore, avoid any do-it-yourself tile installation methods and engage a professional instead.
Avoid a tiling disaster by calling in the experts. You can locate an exceptional tile installer who will execute your project with grace with some deliberation.
If you are interested in hiring the best tilers in Perth, then feel free to visit our website! GIB TILING is a family-owned Tiling Company in Perth. We are a team of professional tradesmen and offer only the highest quality artistry for your floor and bathroom tiling in the Perth metro areas. GIB TILING is one of Perth’s most experienced and reputable tiling companies. We have proved this with our award-winning service. We boast a dynamically young & old, skilled and well-experienced workforce that can respond to any domestic or commercial tiling challenge.
