Local service guide
Tile Setting in Billings, MT: Plan and Compare Quotes
Arrange Tile Setting in Billings by asking installers to quote the same scope: tile selection, surface preparation, removal, shower waterproofing where applicable, cleanup and disposal. Before authorizing demolition, confirm permit requirements and discuss assessment of existing materials. The city exempts some finish work but does not name tile installation as a blanket exemption. Montana DEQ encourages homeowners to inspect for asbestos before renovation. [1] [4]
Give installers a scope they can price
Describe the room, approximate tiled area, existing surface and intended tile. Send photographs of doorways, edges, fixtures and visible damage. For a backsplash, mark stopping points and outlet locations. For a floor, identify adjoining flooring and discuss transitions. For a shower, explain whether you plan to keep or change the drain, fixtures, curb and layout.
Request separate amounts or clear inclusions for removal, hauling, surface preparation, setting materials, tile, grout and finishing. Name who purchases materials and checks quantities. If you supply tile, agree on responsibility for missing pieces, damaged deliveries and replacement orders before buying.
Ask each installer to explain what they can assess during the visit and what they need to inspect after removal. For hidden damage, require photographs, a proposed repair and your written approval before additional work. Compare preparation allowances on the same basis, and ask for insurance documentation and written warranty terms.
Confirm permits for the whole remodel
Billings says building permits cover almost any construction on private property and lists painting, wallpapering and similar finish work among its exemptions. Its FAQ does not identify tile work by name. Describe your project to the Building Division before assuming an exemption, including any changes to walls, plumbing or electrical work. [1]
The city accepts building permit applications through its City View online portal. Its FAQ says most electrical and plumbing permits can only go to licensed electricians and plumbers. Ask your installer to identify who will perform those parts of the remodel and obtain the relevant permits. [1]
The owner bears responsibility for permits but can designate the contractor to obtain them. Billings advises owners to confirm that contractors have the appropriate permits and inspection approvals. Name the responsible person in your agreement and request permit details before the affected work begins. [1]
Resolve material assessment and asbestos disposal
Montana DEQ does not require asbestos inspection under its rules for an exempt home, but it encourages inspection before renovation or demolition. Its exemption covers single-family residences and housing with four or fewer units. A residence used to offer services to the public, such as a daycare or repair shop, qualifies as a facility subject to regulation. [4]
Discuss assessment before anyone disturbs materials you suspect may contain asbestos. Tell the contractor about known asbestos-containing material. DEQ says owners must disclose known material to contractors and follow applicable disposal requirements despite a residential exemption. Contact the Montana Asbestos Control Program at 406-444-5300 to discuss your property's status. [4]
For asbestos or vermiculite disposal at the Billings Regional Landfill, submit the appointment request online and wait for staff's email or telephone response before delivery. Staff accept these materials by appointment Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, excluding holidays. They require a completed Asbestos Disposal Form at the scale house and 6-mil plastic bags sealed with duct tape. The landfill does not accept asbestos during inclement weather. Call Environmental Affairs at 406-247-8633 for packaging and acceptance questions. [3]
Agree on who will arrange acceptance, prepare the paperwork and transport the waste before approving removal. Keep assessment and any asbestos-related work distinct in the quote so you can decide on that scope before committing to tile installation.
Agree on layout, room access and handover
Review the proposed layout before setting begins. Agree on grout color, edge trim, tile orientation and the placement of conspicuous cuts. Request photographs of relevant completed work and ask the installer to explain how they will handle corners, transitions and fixture openings in your room.
For a shower, request a written description of the waterproofing assembly and who will inspect or test it before covering it. Have the installer name the products and provide their instructions for curing and return to service. Record separate dates for installation completion and permission to use the shower or floor.
Set expectations for access, dust containment, material storage and cleanup. If you have one bathroom, agree on when the toilet and shower will be unavailable. Include fixture removal and reinstallation in the scope, name the person responsible, and request care instructions and spare tiles at completion.
Published landfill rates for construction and demolition waste
Local details that affect your job
Coordinate city applications and inspections
Within Billings jurisdiction, submit building permit applications through City View. The Building Division occupies the fifth floor of City Hall at 316 N. 26th Street. Call 406-657-8270 to request a building inspection. Confirm which stages need approval before scheduling the installer to cover completed work. [1]
Check the authority outside city limits
The Billings FAQ directs people outside city limits to the State of Montana at 406-841-2056. Confirm the authority for your property address before following the city's permit process, including when your mailing address says Billings but the property lies outside city limits. [1]
Separate landfill fees from hauling charges
The landfill fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 includes construction and demolition waste in its municipal solid waste category. It lists $35.15 per ton for City of Billings waste and $52.73 per ton for Montana waste originating outside Billings. The landfill requires secured loads. Ask your contractor to identify transport, hauling labor and disposal charges, and confirm the applicable load category rather than treating these rates as the total removal price. [2]
Match the next step to your project
| Project situation | Next step | Include in the agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Surface replacement without other changes | Ask the Building Division whether your scope qualifies as exempt finish work. | Written scope and the project-specific permit determination. |
| Drain, fixture or electrical changes | Identify the licensed trades and confirm separate permit requirements. | Trade responsibilities, permits and inspection coordination. |
| Suspected asbestos in materials to remove | Discuss inspection before disturbance; DEQ encourages homeowner inspection. | Assessment responsibility and a separate removal decision. |
| Confirmed asbestos waste | Submit the landfill appointment request online and wait for staff's response. | 6-mil bags sealed with duct tape, disposal form and transport responsibility. |
| Property outside city limits | Confirm jurisdiction through the state contact in the city's FAQ. | Applicable permit authority and who will contact it. |
Your hiring checklist
- Send room measurements, photographs and a description of the existing surface.
- Agree on tile, grout, trim, layout and material purchasing responsibilities.
- Request written preparation allowances and approval terms for additional repairs.
- Confirm permit responsibility and identify any plumbing or electrical trades.
- Resolve suspected asbestos questions before authorizing disturbance.
- Assign debris handling, disposal arrangements and any required appointment paperwork.
- Record room downtime, curing instructions, cleanup, insurance and warranty terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does replacing tile require a Billings building permit?
The city exempts painting, wallpapering and similar finish work, but its FAQ does not name tile replacement as an exemption. Describe the entire project to the Building Division, including wall, plumbing and electrical changes, and confirm requirements before work starts. [1]
Must I inspect my home for asbestos before removing flooring?
Montana DEQ says its rules do not require inspection for an exempt home, but it encourages inspection before renovation or demolition. The exemption covers single-family residences and housing with four or fewer units, with exceptions for public-service uses. Ask DEQ about uncertain property status at 406-444-5300. [4]
How do I arrange asbestos debris disposal?
Submit the regional landfill's appointment request online and wait for staff's email or telephone response before delivery. Staff accept asbestos or vermiculite by appointment Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, excluding holidays. Bring the completed Asbestos Disposal Form; staff require 6-mil plastic bags sealed with duct tape. The landfill excludes asbestos deliveries during inclement weather. Call Environmental Affairs at 406-247-8633 for packaging and acceptance questions. [3]
How should I compare tile installation prices?
Ask each installer to price the same tile, area, layout and preparation scope. Check whether removal, hauling, waterproofing, trim and fixture work appear in the total. Have the installer explain allowances and exclusions, then agree on written approval for additional work.
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.