Getting multiple estimates for a tile installation or bathroom remodel is smart. But comparing estimates is only useful if you are comparing the same scope of work. A $6,000 estimate and a $10,000 estimate for the same shower might mean one contractor is more efficient — or it might mean one contractor left out half the work.
The way to find out which is to look at what each estimate actually says. Here is what a complete written tile estimate should include, and what missing items are warning signs.
Demo and Removal Scope
Before any new tile goes in, the old material has to come out. That means tile, substrate, waterproofing, sometimes drywall, and — on a shower floor — sometimes the mud bed. Each of those is a separate labor task.
A complete estimate specifies:
- What is being demoed (tile only, or tile plus substrate, or full gut)
- Whether haul-off is included or charged separately
- Any limitations on demo scope — for example, if demo reveals deteriorated framing or mold, that is typically an additional charge, but the estimate should acknowledge this possibility and have a process for it
An estimate that says "demo and removal" with no further detail can mean many things, and you will not know which until you get the invoice.
Substrate Preparation
Getting to a level, solid, bondable surface before the tile goes up is often the most labor-intensive part of a tile installation. This includes:
- Floor leveling compound if the slab or subfloor is uneven
- Wall furring or shimming if the framing is out of plumb
- Backer board installation (specified by product and fastening method)
- Any structural repairs revealed during demo
In Central Florida homes, slab-on-grade construction means the concrete floor is the substrate for most floor tile installations. If the slab has settled unevenly — common in older Sanford and Lake Mary homes — leveling work before tile flooring installation is not optional.
Waterproofing System — Specified by Brand
This is the most important line item in any shower estimate. It should name the product: GoBoard, Schluter KERDI, Laticrete HydroBan, Mapei AquaDefense, or whatever the contractor uses. "Waterproofing" with no product name is not a specification — it is an assumption.
Why does the brand matter? Because the installation requirements vary by product, the warranty terms differ, and the performance track record is verifiable. When a contractor specifies the brand, they are accountable to the manufacturer's installation instructions. When they just write "waterproofing," they can use anything — or nothing — and claim they fulfilled the scope.
See our post on GoBoard vs Schluter KERDI for a full comparison of the two most common systems we use.
Layout Plan
How the tile is laid out matters — both visually and structurally. The layout plan should cover:
- Starting point for the layout (usually centered on the most visible wall or the shower entry)
- Pattern (straight stack, offset, herringbone, diagonal)
- Grout joint width
- How cuts will be handled at perimeters (balanced cuts, or cuts hidden in corners)
- Feature accents or transitions, if applicable
A layout plan is not always a drawing, but it should be a described and agreed-upon approach. Changes to the layout after tile purchase can affect how much tile is needed, so this should be decided before materials are ordered.
Tile Materials — Specified or With Allowance
If the homeowner is providing tile, the estimate should confirm the quantity and note any additional ordering allowance (typically 10–15% for cuts and breakage). If the contractor is supplying tile, the specific product or an allowance per square foot should be stated.
Vague allowances ("tile to be selected by owner") without a per-square-foot figure are problematic. A $3/sq ft tile and a $15/sq ft tile have very different material costs, and the estimate total should reflect which one you have chosen.
Setting Materials — Specified by Type
The estimate should name the thinset type for each application:
- Which thinset is used on the shower walls vs. the shower floor
- Whether medium-bed mortar (required for large-format tile) is included
- Any specialty adhesive for natural stone, glass tile, or heated floor systems
Setting materials are where corners get cut silently. Standard thinset is cheaper than large-format mortar. Using the wrong product does not fail immediately — it fails two or three years later when the tile delaminates.
Grout Type and Color — Specified
The estimate should specify sanded vs. unsanded grout, the manufacturer, the color name and number, and whether epoxy grout is being used. Grout color affects the entire look of the installation, and it is not easily changed after the fact. Having it in writing protects both parties.
Trim and Finish Details
Transitions, edge trim, Schluter strips, bullnose, and schluter corners — these details are where a tile installation either looks finished or looks improvised. Each one should be specified by type and listed in the estimate.
Schedule With Milestones
At minimum, the estimate should state a start date, approximate duration, and what the key milestones are (demo complete, substrate complete, tile complete, grout complete). For primary bathroom remodels, where the bathroom is out of service for the duration, a realistic schedule is critical.
Payment Schedule
A clear payment schedule protects both the homeowner and the contractor. Standard practice for a tile installation is a deposit at contract signing (typically 20–30%), a progress payment at a defined milestone, and a final payment on completion.
Red flag: a deposit exceeding 30% of the total before work begins. Florida contractor law limits the deposit a contractor can require before work is substantially underway, and a large upfront deposit with no milestone-based structure puts the homeowner at risk.
Warranty Terms
The estimate or accompanying contract should state the warranty on labor — typically one to two years for workmanship defects — and reference any manufacturer warranties on the waterproofing system or materials. A contractor who warranties their installation in writing has an incentive to do it right the first time.
Red Flags Summary
- No waterproofing system named by brand
- No demo scope or unclear what is included
- Tile described only as "owner-supplied" with no discussion of quantity or allowance
- Setting materials not specified
- Deposit over 30% before work begins
- No schedule or completion timeline
- Single-line estimate with no breakdown
If you are in Sanford, Lake Mary, Heathrow, or Winter Park and want to see what a complete written estimate looks like, reach out for a free in-home estimate. We walk every space before pricing, and our written estimates cover every line item listed above.