Backsplash Installation

[Zatol]

We just had our kitchen backsplash done and also tile on a bathroom floor. This man also has done tile work and repairs from a previous tile man on some of houses when we were building. I recommended him to 2 of our customers who used him and were happy with his work. His name is John French and his cell # is 704-634-1119. We provided materials and paid him labor. He came out and measured and we went and purchased everything. His work is neat and he does the job right. He's also someone we've trusted on our jobsites and in our own personal home. My backsplash was $380 and we paid him $900 for the work in our bathroom (tile floor and tiled shower). We are very happy and will have him back when we do our other bathroom.

[getatag]

Originally Posted by bcstevyt

I'm sorry to tell you, you were ripped off.. You paid $23 per sf for labor.. A 2x6.5 backsplash should take a total of 2 hour's to do from a professional. Anything more, and they are milking you.. I pay my installers $2.50 sf.. for wall tile, I provide the mastic ($18) I can see some sort of trip charge because your area was so small, but that was a little extreme..

Thanks for the opinion. My bother did the work, doubt he ripped me off. Although he does charge more than some, he is never at a loss for remodeling work in most of the better neighborhoods in Charlotte and vicinity. While he is not a tile man, he is a certified/licensed General Contractor. He knows his stuff and the quality of his work speaks for itself compared to the kitchen tile we had installed by another "professional" tile guy.

[SilverSagess]

I can't recommend anyone in the area, and I understand the OP feels more comfortable hiring someone to do the job, but to anyone else who is considering installing a backsplash.... I just wanted to share my experience. Hubby and I did our backsplash ourselves. It was SUPER EASY. I was sooooo nervous at first, but hubby and I (who had no experience whatsoever) did a great job. You can rent a wet saw from a place like Home Depot or Lowes for pretty cheap. Don't even bother with tile cutters (which only make straight, full-tile-length cuts). And make sure you use spacers between the tiles (don't eyeball it). We knew nothing about doing tile, but it was so easy I feel confident that I could do a bigger job than just a backsplash. And I have to admit, it was kinda fun and very satisfying to see what nice work we did

[pink caddy]

Probably the hardest/most challenging part is cutting out around the outlets. The rest of the job with ceramic tiles is a four on a scale of ten.

Get free information at the library or on-line. Grouting is child's play and the sense of satisfaction is incredible when your're done.

For the tile cutting invest in a inexpensive straight cutter. I think it's cheaper to buy than rent. For cutting out the elect. ask the guy in HD or Lowes for a blade for a *** saw. Pob. about 3 or 4 bux. Ceramic glue in the same section as the tiles. Grount for sealing the poin same section or in paint section.

For an even easier job use sheets of 12"x 12" tiles instead of individal tiles.

In addition there are plently of 10% off coupons floating around for both chain stores. I used one last week for kitchen cabs. in olwes that I got in the post office with a change of address form that saved me $201!!

BTW the guy that took 25 hours that did that job sounds like guys that work for me when I'm out of the country. Oh, BTW they USED to work for me.