Starting a tile installation company?
Question:I want to start installing tile, and I am familiar with the process, but I have no "real" experience except for the DIY (peel and stick) tile. If I got a tile installation book and practiced on a few tiles on a small scale, how hard would it be to tile a floor good enough to get a positive referral from it?
Answers:
I did a 20 x 18 foot room with 12 inch ceramic tiles. It was a snap really. I used a wide grout line because these were mexican tile. No spacers, just did it by eye.
Plan it so that you dont have "sliver" size peices on any wall , if possible. Rent a wet saw. Or buy one for $89, it will get you through the job.
Now if you are talking tiling a shopping mall thats something different. I have looked at some of that work , and man, those lines are straight for miles. But for homes, you will never see the errors after a week.
Forgetaboutit! get some experience.
Tile setting is a skill close to art and can only be gained by experience. A book can only give you the techinical stuff.
Peel and stick tile (which should be illegal) is no background.
Talk to a local contractor about either a helper, or apprentice position.
Barney was pretty straight with you. Buy some cheap tile at Sutherland Lumber. Enough to do an 8x8 room. Lay it out dry (with out adhesive). tear it apart and do it again. With enough practice you will know how to install it straight and square.
while i appreciate your enthusiasm for tile setting. doing your kitchen with peel and stick does not a tile setter make. it is truly an art and to make money at it you have to be quick. I have some experience as a tile setter, and would never make the claim that I am one. gain experience REAL EXPERIENCE and go from there. good luck
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