Where tile installers buy
Tile setters buy tile, thinset and membranes from tile showrooms and flooring stores with pro programs, and hand tools from a trowel trades supplier.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor & Decor | Retailer | Pro Premier Rewards: rewards, discounts and offers on flooring, tools and supplies for pros. | Pro Premier Rewards |
| Bon Tool | Manufacturer store | Tools for the trowel trades since 1958, from brick and tile tools to concrete and hardscape, sold direct with prices on its site. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
| Lowe's | Retailer | Runs MyLowe's Pro Rewards for small and mid-sized pros, with points from the first dollar spent. | MyLowe's Pro Rewards |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items tile installers buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Thinset in the types you use most | No trip mid-job |
| Grout and grout sealer | Finishing the same day |
| Spacers and leveling clips | Even joints every time |
| Waterproofing membrane and seam tape | Wet areas need it |
| Diamond blades and sponges | They wear out fastest |
| Caulk to match common grout colors | Corners and changes of plane |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: tilesetter tool kit: notched trowels, grout float, nippers, carbide chisels, knee pads and a torpedo level; wet tile saw; manual tile cutter; mixing paddle and a corded drill; buckets and sponges; 4 ft level and a straightedge; leveling clip system; angle grinder with a diamond blade. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: large format tile cutter; suction cups and a tile carrier; laser level; hole saws and core bits; shower pan and waterproofing tools.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the tile tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Bon Tool).
When supplier prices change
Update your tile price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- Floor & Decor: Pro Premier, checked October 9, 2026
- Bon Tool: About us, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Lowe's: MyLowe's Pro Rewards announcement, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.