Tile Setting in Winston-Salem: Hiring and Planning

Define the tile job before requesting bids

Tell the installer whether you want a backsplash, floor, shower surround, shower rebuild or isolated repair. Include photographs, approximate dimensions, your preferred tile size and any tile you want to keep. Ask the installer to confirm measurements during a visit before ordering materials or committing to a final price.

For repairs, point out loose pieces, cracked grout, staining and any history of leaks. Ask the installer to explain what they intend to investigate before replacing the visible tile. Request separate options for a limited repair and broader removal if the condition underneath remains uncertain.

Compare preparation and finish details

Ask each bidder to describe the surface they expect to install over and how they will assess it after removal. Request an allowance or written approval process for concealed damage. Specify who handles disposal, furniture moving, appliance access, trim removal and the transition to adjoining flooring.

Review the layout before installation. Ask where cut tiles will sit, how the installer will finish exposed edges and which grout color you should approve. For a floor, discuss the finished height at doorways and adjoining rooms. Ask the installer to list materials by product name so you can compare the proposed work.

Request photographs of comparable completed projects and references you can contact. Ask about insurance, the written workmanship warranty and who handles a problem after completion. Compare the scope alongside the total price rather than choosing from a single square-foot figure.

Plan shower work and room access

For a shower, ask the installer to name the waterproofing system and explain the proposed treatment of the base, drain connection, corners, niches and penetrations. Request the applicable manufacturer instructions and ask who will document any testing. Include responsibility for plumbing changes in the agreement.

Agree on separate dates for demolition, preparation, installation and return to use. Ask the installer to explain the waiting periods for the products they propose. If this is your only bathroom, arrange access to another bathroom before removal begins. Confirm how workers will protect the route through your home and manage dust and debris.

If the project includes building alterations or plumbing or electrical work, ask the Permit Office which permits and inspections apply to that scope. The city's policy describes application routes but does not establish a tile-only permit exemption. Assign the permit applicant and inspection scheduler before work starts. [1]

Compare the total after tax

North Carolina's taxability chart lists complete or partial ceramic flooring replacement, ceramic tile repairs and regrouting as taxable services. It also identifies qualifying bathroom remodeling as a capital improvement and describes exceptions and substantiation requirements. Ask the contractor to explain the classification of your actual project rather than assuming that a larger replacement qualifies. [3]

The Department of Revenue lists Forsyth County's combined sales and use tax rate as 7% in its current table as of October 11, 2026. Request a bid that identifies the taxable amount, tax and final total. For a claimed capital improvement, ask what documentation supports that treatment. The county-rate chart provides tax context, not tile installation prices. [3] [4]

Published sales and use tax rates in Forsyth and nearby counties

Choose the next step for your tile project

Your hiring checklist

1. Send photographs, dimensions, tile preferences and a description of existing problems to each bidder.
2. Arrange an inspection of the installation surface before accepting the final scope.
3. Get separate written terms for removal, preparation, installation, finishing and disposal.
4. For a shower, request named waterproofing products, installation instructions and responsibility for testing.
5. Confirm permit requirements with the city and assign application and inspection responsibilities.
6. For exterior work in a historic district, consult Commission staff before ordering replacement materials.
7. Compare tax-inclusive totals, exclusions, payment stages and the process for approving extra work.
8. Agree on room access, protection, return-to-use instructions and warranty contact details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tile installation require a permit?

Ask the Permit Office about your complete scope, including any structural, plumbing or electrical changes. The city's policy explains application procedures but does not settle whether a tile-only project needs a permit. Call 336-727-2624 before committing to the work schedule. [1]

Will I pay sales tax on tile replacement?

North Carolina lists ceramic flooring replacement, tile repairs and regrouting as taxable services, subject to exceptions and contract rules. Qualifying remodeling can receive capital-improvement treatment with substantiation. Ask the contractor to show the classification, taxable amount and final total. [3]

Can I change the tile on a West End porch?

Consult Historic Resources Commission staff before exterior work. The city requires approval for appearance changes in local historic districts. Its repair and replacement exception requires no material or design changes, so describe your proposed tile and layout before ordering. [2]

How should I compare shower installation quotes?

Give bidders the same scope and ask for product names, preparation details, drain and plumbing responsibilities, testing, cleanup and return-to-use instructions. Ask each installer to identify concealed-work exclusions and explain how you will approve an added charge.