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Prime Buyers Guide Tile Contractors

How to Find the Best Tile Contractor in San Francisco , CA

When remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, you may opt to finish your walls or countertops with some expert tile work. The best tile contractors in San Francisco offer tile installation in a number of colors and materials, adding style and functionality to any surface in your home. Whether you're looking for kitchen tile, bathroom tile or floor tile, The Prime Buyer's Report can help you find a high-quality tile contractor in your corner of San Francisco , including San Francisco. more »

Updated December 4, 2007

Top 10 Tile Contractors in San Francisco

Precision Tile
Send an email to this Company
(415) 945-9892

Corte Madera, CA 94925
C54 Contractor's License
   Prime Buyer's Certified NARI (National Association of The Remodeling Industry)

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff
Services: Tile contractors for all new tile design and tile installation including tile floors,...
Key Brands: Nuheat Radiant Floors, Laticrete's Spectralock Epoxy Grout, Hydroment Grouts, Better-...

Perri Marble & Tile
Send an email to this Company
(510) 865-3097
1319 High St
Alameda, CA 94501
Contractor's License #429150

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff
Services: Expert tile contractors & tile installers for new tile floors, tile installation, ...
Key Brands: NuHeat radiant floors

Hardwood Floor Connection
Send an email to this Company
(925) 855-7171
112 W Linda Mesa Avenue
Danville, CA 94526

Chamber of Commerce-Danville NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association)

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. Inner Sunset, Outer Sunset District, Mission District
Services: contractors for all new tile work and custom tile installation

Ceramic Tile Design
(415) 575-3785
189 13th St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco, North Beach, Noe Valley, Sunset District, Mission District

Ann Sacks Tile & Stone Inc
(415) 252-5889
2 Henry Adams St # 125
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach, Sea Cliff, Pacific Heights

Walker Zanger Inc
(415) 487-2130
101 Henry Adams St # 412
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. Mission District, North Beach, Laurel Heights, The Presidio

Country Floors
(415) 241-0500
2 Henry Adams St # 110
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. Sunset District, Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, Noe Valley

Paris Ceramics Inc
(415) 490-5430
2 Henry Adams St # 140
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco incl. North Beach, Sunset District, Laurel Heights, Noe Valley

D J Mehler
(415) 864-0850
165 Rhode Island St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco & Bay Area, incl. Noe Valley, The Marina, Sunset District

Galleria Tile
(415) 431-5283
299A Kansas St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Areas Served: San Francisco, incl. North Beach, Noe Valley, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Sea Cliff

How to Find the Best Tile Contractor in San Francisco , CA 

From the pyramids to the Greek ruins to rennaissance-era houses of worship, tile has been a prevalent source of sophistated decorative flair. Available in numerous colors and patterns, mosaics and reliefs, the aesthetic appeal of tile is hardly debatable. But tile is highly functional as well, providing a natural water-tight surface appropriate for several modern uses. Adding tile to nearly any surface can bring it to life and make it more attractive. The creative, skilled application of tile by a professional tile contractor can create a one-of-a-kind, stylish addition to virtually any room. But clean, correctly installed tile work requires experience and talent. For help finding one of these tile artisans in San Francisco , read the following articles prepared by The Prime Buyer's Report.

San Francisco Tile Contractors Perform Numerous Services
Tile contractors aren't mere laborers. Depending on their level of experience, they can usually offer color consultation, design assessments, mosaic design, and appropriate tile grading, which they determine after observing your living style and area traffic. They calculate all installation details and obtain all materials. But after the initial consultation, capability hinges on their area of expertise, which can be limited. Certain tile contractors have experience with custom tile application in residential kitchens and bathrooms or larger commercial and institutional tiling jobs. Many are willing to remodel existing tile work, but they may confine themselves to new, non-custom construction projects. Tile contractors perform the compulsory finishing work for these projects too, such as re-grouting, caulking, waterproofing, and sealing. Certain contractors can even bring aging tiles back to life with crack repair, resetting and restoring. And most tile installers aren't limited to tiling your shower stall. They can often lay tile for the interior or exterior of your home's floors, countertops, decorative borders, backsplashes, walls, and patios. Tile contractors also perform slab work, slab fabrication, or slab installation. You want your tiles to be installed to perfection and, as licensed contractors, tile installers in San Francisco are required to follow applicable building codes when they perform your tile installation.

San Francisco Tile Contractors Offer Many Parts and Materials
If you want something more than standard ceramic or porcelain tiles, quite a few tile contractors in San Francisco have showrooms you can visit to peruse their selection of workable materials. These showrooms usually contain imported or domestic tiles in an array of colors, so don't feel limited to the standards. Tile contractors often work with marble, granite, travertine, limestone or slate. In some cases, these specialty materials are fabricated by local artisans. You can also find quartzite, natural stone slabs, or tumbled stone. For outdoor settings, tile installers can use flagstone, brick, terracotta, and pavers, as well as any nontraditional material of your choice. They might also be able to lay more exotic materials like metal tiles, glass tiles and blocks, or even onyx. Tile contractors in San Francisco can work with nearly any material you desire, so don't feel restricted when making your choices.

There are Many Tile Companies to Choose From in San Francisco
There are many of these multitalented local tile specialists to choose from. The Prime Buyer's Report has made a list of the top ten tile contractors in San Francisco as Precision Tile, Perri Marble & Tile, Hardwood Floor Connection, Ceramic Tile Design, Ann Sacks Tile & Stone Inc, Walker Zanger Inc, Country Floors, Paris Ceramics Inc, D J Mehler, Galleria Tile. Other respected tile contractors in San Francisco include Stile Italiano, Alonso Tile Co, Italyhome.

There are Many Sources on the Tile Contractor Industry
If you've committed to tiling an area in your home or business, research the possibilities that come with the handiwork of a tile contractor. Read magazines, visit Web sites, and peruse any number of other sources to find new options and style ideas. The Prime Buyer's Report has found some credible resources that will help you accomplish this. Browse our findings in the article "Key Resources for Tile in San Francisco ".
Updated December 4, 2007
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How to Find the Right San Francisco Tile Contractor 

Step 1: Describe Work
First, you'll want to write up a description of the work you require. Prepare a written version of your ideas that you can present to each contractor, guaranteeing that they all bid for the same work.

Step 2: Answer Questions & Take Notes
Listen carefully to the questions each contractor asks and you can learn a lot about them. Pay attention to concerns and level of detail. If he is hurried and unspecific, he might not fully understand your request or may be unable to accommodate you.

Step 3: Ask Questions & Take Notes
Write a list of questions to go through with each potential contractor. Record the answers to your questions and the general impression you get from each contractor. Observe his demeanor during the conversation, as it will affect your ability to work with him and, ultimately, your satisfaction with his work.

  • How long have you been in business?
  • How many tile jobs have you completed in San Francisco ?
  • Have you ever performed the type of work I've described?
  • Do you have a portfolio of finished work or a list of references I may contact?
  • How long should it take to complete the work?
  • Do you have current workers' compensation and liability insurance?
  • Will you provide a written estimate?
  • How do you price your work?
  • If you provide a warranty, what does it cover?
  • Will you provide a written contract?
  • Do you complete the work with your employees or do you subcontract?
  • How and when do you clean up?

Step 4: Making a Preliminary Decision

After you've held several interviews with tile contractors, use your notes to narrow down the list of contenders. Use the quality of the answers to weed out the worst choices. You should also consider the attitude of each contractor. Those you did not feel comfortable with won't be able to develop a satisfactory working relationship with you.

Step 5: Final Research
After you've picked out the tile contractor who best meets your requirements, investigate his credentialing. Check that he is current with insurance and contractor certification and check for quality certifications through Diamond Certified and the Better Business Bureau.

Step 6: Sign a Contract
Now it's time to make the final decision and enter into contract with a tile professional. Call and ask any final questions and ask for a written pricing, timing, quality and warranty agreement.
Updated November 21, 2007
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Key Resources for Custom Tile Work in San Francisco  

Associations & Licensing
BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
CSLB Contractors State Licensing Board (www.cslb.ca.gov)
CTIOA Ceramic Tile Institute of America (www.ctioa.org)
CTSA Ceramic Tile & Stone Association (www.tile-stoneassn.org)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Diamond Certified (www.diamondcertified.org)
HTA Handmade Tile Association (www.handmadetileassociation.org)
MIA Marble Institute of America (www.marble-institute.com)
NCBE North Coast Builders Exchange (www.ncbeonline.com)
NKBA National Kitchen and Bath Association (www.nkba.org)
NTCA National Tile Contractors Association (www.tile-assn.com)
NTMA National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association (www.ntma.com)
TCAA Tile Contractors Association of America (www.tcaainc.org)

Media & Web Resources
CONTRACTOR Magazine
California Home & Design
Dwell
Family Handyman
Fine Homebuilding
Floor Covering Installer Magazine
Home & Design
Homebuilding & Remodeling Magazine
Luxury Home
National Floor Trends Magazine
Old House Journal
Smart Homeowner
Stone World Magazine
Tile Magazine
Tile Dealer Magazine
Western Interiors and Design

www.doityourself.com
www.floortransformed.com
www.hometime.com
www.hometips.com
www.infotile.com
www.tileforums.com
www.tileyourworld.com

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top ten tile layers and tile contractors in San Francisco within the following zip codes.

94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94158, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172 and 94188

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top ten tile contractors in San Francisco within the following cities.

Bernal Heights, Cow Hollow, Diamond Heights, Duboce Triangle, Eureka Valley, Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, Japantown, Laurel Heights, Marina District, Mission District, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, North Beach, Outer Sunset, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Rincon Hill, Russian Hill, San Francisco, Sea Cliff, Sunset District, Telegraph Hill, Treasure Island, Twin Peaks and Western Addition
Updated December 4, 2007
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Top 10 Tile Contractor Tips of All Time 

Take Time Choosing Your Tile Contractor.
Don't hire the first tile contractor that answers the phone. It's best to take some time to investigate several options before your jump into a contract. With options, you're more likely to end up with a contractor that creates a finished product that you are proud to display in your home.

Write A Description Of The Job.
You should write up a description of your work that outlines your basic requirements, as well as any special details you would like. When every tile contractor you contact in San Francisco sees the same list of requests, you can be sure that resulting estimates are also based on the same criteria. Then you can better judge which tile contractor gives you the best responses to your consistent description.

Get Several Separate Estimates.
The only way to get a good idea of your options is to acquire several estimates from different San Francisco tile contractors. An estimate gives you more than a price range, it gives you insight into a tile contractor's attitude towards his job and his clients. A more detailed estimate indicates a greater level of skill and dedication to attentive completion of your tile work.

Hire a Contractor Whose Style is Compatible with Yours.
Tile contractors do more than simple labor. Experience in the industry has armed them with a sense of color, style, and appropriate finishes, sizes, and grades. If you haven't already designed what you'd like, a good tile installer can guide you through the design process, so choose a professional who can interpret your sense of style and contribute helpful input.

Get it in Writing.
A good contracting job is thoroughly notated. Insist that the tile contractor of your choice provides you with a written description of the work, pricing and timeframe for completion.

Check Credentials Before You Sign An Agreement.
For any tile work you receive in San Francisco , be sure to verify contractor licensing, workers' compensation and liability insurance.

Seek Out Excellence.
Some tile contractors have been acclaimed and rewarded for superior service and excellent customer care. In San Francisco , tile contractors that have earned Diamond Certification or have been featured positively in a consumer ratings publication are more likely to show you this exceptional consideration as well.

Stay In the Know.
If you want a job to go as smoothly as possible, you should check in with your contractor often. Make yourself available to him as well. You should both be able to regularly inform one another about problems, delays, or changes.

Agree In Advance To Evaluate The Finished Product.
After the job is completed, compare the specifications of the detailed agreement to the finished tile work. Insist that the most senior contractor is with you so that you can point out any requests that haven't been fulfilled.

Know Your Rights.
Consumers are protected by special rights in the event of a business/patron conflict. These laws vary with region. Since you're dealing with tile contractors in San Francisco , you can read about these rights at the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
Updated December 4, 2007
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Tile Contractors in San Francisco Use High-Quality Tile Brands 

The following brands are available for use by tile contractors in San Francisco : Bellazura, Ceramica, Donovan tiles, Gnosis, Gooseneck, Hakatai, Hastings, GranitiFiandre, McIntyre, Sheldon, SprectaDecor, Sonoma Cast Stone, Milestone, TerryTiles, World Wide Stones, Pyrolave, Mosaico, Neo-Metro, and Rocky Mountain.

Updated November 29, 2007
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Diamond Certified