Tile Setting in Salt Lake City: Hiring and Planning

Give installers a scope they can price

Send each candidate the same room measurements, photos, and description of what you want removed or retained. Identify whether the project includes a backsplash, floor, shower, or several areas. Include your proposed tile dimensions, pattern, trim, and niches. Request a site visit before accepting a final quote.

Obtain project-specific quotes with separate amounts for removal and disposal, surface preparation, installation materials, setting, grout, and finishing details. Agree on who supplies the tile and checks quantities before ordering. Have bidders identify exclusions and explain how they will price additional work discovered after removal.

Describe parking, stairs, material storage, and the route through your home. Specify which rooms the crew can use and how you want them to protect adjoining surfaces. Include responsibility for moving appliances or reconnecting fixtures so you can compare the same work across bids.

Resolve flooring removal before demolition

Utah DEQ lists floor tile among possible asbestos-containing materials and explains that renovation can release hazardous fibers. Before anyone removes or grinds existing flooring, have the contractor explain how they will determine applicable inspection requirements. Flag unknown flooring layers for assessment before disturbance. [3] [4]

Utah's guidance provides a pre-renovation or demolition asbestos inspection exception for qualifying residential facilities with four or fewer units built on or after January 1, 1992. It excludes NESHAP facilities, residential structures with certain past or future NESHAP uses, and residential structures demolished for installation of a NESHAP facility. Confirm the property's age, unit count, and use before relying on the exception. [3]

Have the bidder identify whether the quote includes an applicable inspection, testing, or specialist removal. Agree on a stop-work procedure for unexpected layers or suspect materials. Contact Utah DEQ's asbestos program about uncertain eligibility before committing to demolition. [3]

Coordinate permits and inspections

Describe the entire remodel to Building Services, including fixture relocation, electrical floor heating, and wall changes. Ask whether your complete scope requires permits. The city's requirements include alterations to plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. Direct general building-code questions to 801-535-7155. [1]

Salt Lake City accepts permit applications through the Citizen Access Portal. For required plan review, applicants submit construction documents through ProjectDox. City staff admit projects to the review queue after pre-screening acceptance and payment of the appropriate plan-review fee. Assign application, document, fee, and review-response responsibilities before setting the installation date. [1] [2]

The city instructs applicants to request inspections before covering work and notes that additional plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits may be necessary. Have the remodel contractor and tile installer agree on inspection responsibilities and the sequence of work. [2]

For a remodel requiring plan review, use the city's published first-review targets below as scheduling context. The city states aspirations for first comments rather than measured turnaround times. Confirm the current schedule for your project before booking work that depends on permit approval. [2]

Evaluate preparation and shower work

Have the installer describe the surface beneath the tile and the preparation they propose. Discuss uneven areas, cracks, finished floor height, door clearance, and transitions. For a backsplash, agree on outlet cuts, edge trim, and stopping points. Request a layout drawing or dry layout before approving placement.

For a shower, request a written waterproofing approach covering the drain connection, corners, penetrations, and any testing. Have the installer identify proposed products and provide their installation instructions. Include plumbing coordination in the quote and request photos before anyone conceals the work.

Review completed projects resembling yours and contact references. Request insurance documentation, written warranty terms, and an explanation of any licensing requirements applicable to the complete scope. Agree on how you will report defects and who will handle follow-up work.

Agree on room access and handover

Request a schedule that separates removal, preparation, inspections, placement, grouting, and return to use. Have the installer base use restrictions on the selected products' instructions. Arrange another bathroom if the project takes your only shower out of service.

Before final payment, walk through the room with the installer and compare the layout, edges, transitions, fixtures, and cleanup with the written scope. Collect care instructions, product names, leftover tile, and warranty terms. Record unfinished items and agree on a completion date.

Salt Lake City first plan-review targets by housing category

Choose the next step for your project

Your hiring checklist

1. Send identical measurements, photos, tile specifications, and scope to each bidder.
2. Confirm jurisdiction and describe the full remodel to the permitting office.
3. Resolve applicable asbestos inspection questions before flooring removal.
4. Separate removal, preparation, materials, installation, and disposal in the quote.
5. Approve layout, finished height, edge trim, and transitions before placement.
6. Document shower waterproofing and plumbing coordination where applicable.
7. Assign inspection responsibilities and agree on room-use restrictions.
8. Collect care instructions, leftover tile, warranty terms, and outstanding items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does replacing tile require a permit?

Ask Building Services whether your complete scope requires permits. Disclose fixture moves, electrical floor heating, and wall changes. The city identifies plumbing and electrical alterations among work requiring permits. Describe those changes when seeking a scope-specific answer. [1]

Should I check existing flooring for asbestos?

Resolve applicable inspection requirements before removal. Utah DEQ identifies floor tile as a possible asbestos-containing material. Its residential inspection exception depends on construction date, unit count, and facility status. Confirm your property's eligibility before relying on it. [3] [4]

How much time should I allow for plan review?

The city aims to provide first-review comments within 14 business days for one- or two-family dwelling or townhome plan-review projects, counting from acceptance into the appropriate queue. Allow separate time for submission preparation, pre-screening, corrections, issuance, and installation. The target does not guarantee approval. [2]

How should I compare installation quotes?

Give bidders the same scope and request separate amounts for removal, preparation, materials, installation, and disposal. Compare exclusions and additional-work terms alongside totals. Have each bidder explain preparation, finishing details, and shower waterproofing where applicable.