Tile is one of the few home upgrades where the difference between a great job and a bad one is hidden behind the surface — and you won't find out which you got until it either lasts 25 years or fails in two. In Tampa's humid climate, choosing the right installer matters more than the tile you pick, because even beautiful tile over bad waterproofing will fail.
We're Konar Bros Tile Co., a family-run tile installer serving all of Tampa Bay, and we're going to make our own case harder to win — because a well-informed homeowner is exactly who we want to work with. Here are the seven questions to ask any tile installer before you hire, and what good answers sound like.
1. "How Do You Waterproof a Shower?"
This is the single most important question, and the answer tells you almost everything. A real pro will describe a complete, connected system — a pre-sloped pan, a bonded membrane or waterproof panels on the walls, and sealed seams, corners, niches, and benches — not just "we seal the grout" (grout isn't waterproof) or a vague "don't worry, we waterproof everything."
In Florida, waterproofing is the difference between a shower that lasts and one that rots the wall behind it. Ask specifically whether they use a Schluter-grade membrane system and whether they'll photograph the waterproofing stage before tiling so you have proof of what's behind your tile. We explain why this matters in what is Schluter waterproofing.
If the answer is short, vague, or dismissive, walk away. The contractors who cut this corner are exactly the ones whose work we get called to tear out and rebuild.
2. "Are You Licensed and Insured?"
Always confirm the installer is licensed and carries insurance, and ask to see documentation. Insurance protects you if a worker is injured on your property or if something is damaged during the job — without it, you can be left holding the bill.
An unlicensed, uninsured "handyman" tile job might look cheaper up front, but you're absorbing all the risk and you'll have little recourse if it fails. A legitimate company will provide proof without hesitation; reluctance to do so is a red flag.
We're fully licensed and insured and happy to provide documentation on request — and we'd encourage you to verify it for any contractor you're considering, not just us.
3. "What Warranty Do You Offer?"
A warranty is a contractor putting their money where their mouth is. Ask what's covered, for how long, and get it in writing. A short or vague warranty signals a company that doesn't expect its work to last; a strong written workmanship and waterproofing warranty signals confidence.
We back every install with a 10-year workmanship and waterproofing warranty. We can offer that because of how we waterproof and how carefully we work — and in eight years of business we've had zero callbacks, which is the kind of track record a real warranty reflects.
Be sure to understand what voids a warranty too (improper cleaning, for example) so you can protect it. A good installer will hand you a written aftercare guide along with the warranty.
4. "Can I See Recent Work and References?"
Any established installer should be able to show photos of recent, completed jobs and connect you with references or reviews from real local customers. Look for work similar to what you want — a great floor installer isn't automatically a great shower builder, since showers demand waterproofing expertise.
Pay attention to the details in their photos: are the grout lines straight and consistent? Are the cuts around fixtures and corners clean? Do the patterns line up? These tell you about craftsmanship far better than a glossy brochure.
Local references matter in Tampa specifically, because an installer who works here regularly knows our humidity, hard water, and the quirks of older local homes. We serve homeowners across our Tampa Bay service area and are glad to point you to recent work nearby.
5–6: How Many Jobs at Once, and How They Quote
5. "How many jobs do you run at once?" This one surprises people. Many crews juggle three or four jobs simultaneously, bouncing between sites and leaving each bathroom sitting idle for days. That stretches a one-week job into a month and invites mistakes from a rushed, divided crew. We work one project at a time — your bathroom gets our full attention from demo to final walk, typically 5–7 days for a bathroom.
6. "How do you handle pricing — and is it in writing?" A trustworthy installer gives a flat, written quote after seeing the space in person, so the number you sign is the number you pay. Be wary of phone quotes that change later, or a price so low it can only be hit by skipping waterproofing. For honest ranges, shower tile runs $1,200–$4,500, floor tile $5–$15 per square foot, and backsplash $11–$28 per square foot — see our pricing page and bathroom remodel cost guide.
7. "What's Your Process, From Demo to Cleanup?"
Finally, ask the installer to walk you through their process. A pro will describe it clearly: demo and haul-away, substrate inspection and prep, waterproofing, tile setting, grout and cure time, dust control, daily cleanup, and a final walkthrough. A clear, confident answer shows they've done this many times and respect your home.
Listen for whether they mention cure times — a contractor who promises a two-day shower either doesn't understand that mortar and grout need time to cure or is cutting a corner. The honest answer includes the wait. We break down a realistic schedule in how long bathroom tile installation takes.
Bonus: a good installer also helps with selection. Our free design consultation covers tile, grout color, layout, and where to buy — at no charge — because the right choices up front make for a better result.
Hire With Confidence
Ask these seven questions and the right installer becomes obvious fast — the pros answer clearly and the risky ones get vague. The goal isn't to find the cheapest quote; it's to find the installer whose work you won't have to think about again for decades.
If you're hiring a tile installer in Tampa Bay, we'd welcome the chance to earn your trust by answering every one of these in person. Book a free estimate or call (813) 439-1652. We're a family-run, licensed and insured tile company with 8 years of experience, zero callbacks, a 10-year warranty, and a one-project-at-a-time approach. See everything we do on our tile services page.
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Planning a tile project in Tampa Bay?
The Konar brothers deliver custom showers, floors, and backsplashes — one project at a time, backed by a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask a tile installer before hiring them in Tampa?
Ask how they waterproof a shower, whether they're licensed and insured, what written warranty they offer, to see recent work and references, how many jobs they run at once, how they price (in writing), and to walk you through their full process including cure times. Clear, confident answers separate real pros from risky ones.
Why is waterproofing the most important question?
Because in Florida's humidity, even beautiful tile over bad waterproofing will fail and rot the wall behind it — and you can't see the waterproofing once the tile is up. A pro describes a complete Schluter-grade membrane system and will photograph it before tiling; a vague answer is a red flag.
Is it bad if a contractor runs multiple jobs at once?
It often means your bathroom sits idle for days while the crew bounces between sites, stretching a one-week job into a month and inviting rushed mistakes. Working one project at a time means your job gets full attention from demo to final walkthrough.
Should I just pick the cheapest tile installer?
No. A price that's far below the rest usually means a corner is being cut — most often waterproofing, the one corner you can never see and can never cut in Florida. Look for fair, written, in-person quotes backed by licensing, insurance, and a real warranty instead.