When starting a renovation project, there are a few fundamentals to keep in mind as the project can be quite the endeavor. One of the most important of these fundamentals is picking where you source your tile from. One of the most important of these fundamentals is where you source your tile from. A good tile supplier will be a partner to you and will guide you through the entire process, help you make good decisions, and support you with their knowledge and resources after you install the tile.
Overall, the difference between a good and a bad outcome in a renovation project can often be reduced down to these three additional aspects: reliability, expertise, and commitment to customer success. Avoiding these pitfalls will make a world of difference and that tile supplier can be the difference between success and failure, especially with a tile supplier that puts these points first and that tile supplier can be the difference between success and failure, especially with a tile supplier that puts these points first.
Product Quality and Selection
Having suppliers that have multiple types of materials such as ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, and specialty tiles at differing price ranges is important. Good tile suppliers don’t just buy tiles from whoever and at the cheapest price, they buy from specific vendors and check the tiles over. The quality suppliers have exclusive and designer collections that the inexpensive box stores will not have. The other best suppliers will have collections that allow them to have constant stock so they are able to get you the matching pieces you may need later on.
Customer Service and Expertise
Trustworthy suppliers hire people who know their products well, and who also inquire carefully about your project needs and requirements. Ideal hires will walk their customers through the details of specifications like PEI ratings, water absorption, and install needs, and do so in an understandable way. Very communicative suppliers who maintain contact throughout your project and who seem genuinely interested in assisting you rather than just selling you something are your best bets.
Stock Availability and Lead Times
One of the most dreaded surprises during a renovation is learning that the tiles we’ve chosen won’t arrive until six weeks after you’ve already booked the installation. Suppliers who have stocked popular products and who have efficient manual and automatic ordering systems for special products are reliable suppliers. Get in writing delivery date commitments and confirm what percentage of the products displayed in their showroom is actually in stock versus what is on backorder and could delay the project.
Industry Certifications and Standards
Many professional tile suppliers are members of tile industry organizations such as the Tile Council of North America or the National Tile Contractors Association. These associations show that these companies are up to date on the most recent industry standard practices for the installation of tile as well as the newest innovations in tile installation materials. Tile suppliers that have continuing education, along with certifications, are more likely to be the professionals whom you can trust to give precise recommendations.
Showroom and Sample Availability
Quality tile stores will keep their showroom organized and well-lit so that customers can appreciate the products on display instead of viewing them stacked on pallets. The best showrooms display full installations that show how the tiles look in finished bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas. Suppliers should provide samples that can be taken home so customers can check how the tiles look in their own spaces, since tiles can often look completely different when taken out of their showroom.
After-Sales Support
The connections don’t have to end when you leave the showroom with your materials. A dependable supplier will guarantee the items they sell, based on the warranty and the returns policy. A dependable supplier will guarantee the items they sell, based on the warranty and the returns policy. Companies like Otto Tiles understand that renovations rarely go as planned and provide ongoing support with installation guidance and technical assistance throughout your project. They also will recommend the right grout and adhesive materials, and help you resolve unexpected challenges when installing the materials.
Reputation and Track Record
Take a look at Google, Yelp, and other specialized review platforms. Look for repeated claims, both good and bad, and not just one-off comments. Find suppliers that have been in business for a long time in your region. This typically means they have a loyal clientele and have been able to adapt to changes in the marketplace. Ask for and be sure to follow up with references from recent customers who have completed similar projects to verify the reviews. Ask about their experiences regarding response time, product quality, and overall satisfaction.
Pricing Transparency
Suppliers you could rely on make it clear what their prices are and do not make you feel like you are haggling prices like you are at a used car dealership. Per square foot pricing, delivery charges, minimum orders that are needed, and restocking fees on returns if any, should be clear and presented in full. Suppliers you want to work with give you good written quotes that include all expenses so you are able to compare with other options and accurately budget for your whole project with costs like installation materials included.
Installation Support and Resources
Great suppliers don’t just sell tiles, they also offer free design consulting services. Tile design experts help select tiles and complementary materials, choose grout colors that accentuate the tile, and design layouts that maximize the tile’s visual impact. They help calculate how much of each tile you need to minimize waste and expensive leftover materials based on the dimensions of your room, complexity of the pattern, and installation technique. Top suppliers also have networks of reputable professional installers they can recommend that are tailored to your particular project.
Delivery and Logistics
Good tile suppliers understand that when you are remodeling a house, you’re on a tight schedule. Make sure they have delivery policies that are convenient to you and your schedule. Every tile supplier has different rules. Ask them if they have a minimum order for delivery. Do they have a delivery fee? Do they allow deliveries to the job site, or do you have to pick them up at their warehouse? Quality tile suppliers will schedule the delivery of the materials to your site for the same time your installation will take. Quality tile suppliers also have a backup plan if the goods arrive damaged or if the wrong products are sent.
Environmental and Sustainability Practices
Home values have shifted in favor of sustainable materials and responsible sourcing of materials when developing a new home. Reputable suppliers can provide information on the tiles’ certifications and the source of the materials such as; if the materials are eco certfied (ex. LEED, GreenGuard), where the tiles are produced and at what point in the supply chain are the materials used. Suppliers demonstrating responsible sourcing practice and sustainable tiles will most often have options such as eco-tiles made out of recycled glass, natural stone (locally quarried, on-site), and tiles from manufacturers whose practices are environmentally responsible.
Return and Exchange Policies
Learn these policies before shopping from the supplier on a larger scale. The good suppliers will let you return unopened boxes within a reasonable time, and will provide clear information on restocking fees if they apply. Good suppliers are aware that, as a contractor, you will often work with engineers that have quirks or inconveniences that will require you to have some flexibility to return or exchange products once they are installed in the actual site.
Conclusion
The right tile suppliers can save you time and anguish while improving quality and reducing needless stress during your renovation. Tile suppliers that go above and beyond the basic buyer and seller relationship improve your renovation by offering skill and aid throughout the process. Take the time to judge tile suppliers away from the basic fundamentals of distance and price point as the relationship you get right now carries on for years and years. If tile suppliers have a long standing reputation and good feedback you know just as much as a buyer that you have a good relationship with the seller as well. If you are good to your tile suppliers and provide honest feedback as to what you want they can help you realize your most ambitious renovation dreams.
