What a tile proposal is for
Owners choose tile with their eyes and then worry about price. Three options on the same shower, each with tile, pattern and extras listed, let them see what a niche, a bench or large-format tile adds. It turns a showroom wander into a decision, and the deposit goes in the same day.
What to put on a tile proposal
- The same shower size in each option.
- Tile type, size and pattern.
- Extras such as niche and bench.
- Grout type.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same 3 by 5 foot shower. Lines are yours to price.
Option 1: Good: ceramic subway. Ceramic subway walls, standard grout.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing membrane | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
| Wall tile, ceramic subway | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Shower floor tile | 15 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 2: Better: mosaic floor and niche. Subway walls, mosaic floor and a recessed niche.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing membrane | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
| Wall tile, ceramic subway | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Mosaic shower floor | 15 | sq ft | Your price |
| Recessed niche | 1 | each | Your price |
Option 3: Best: large-format porcelain. Large-format porcelain walls, a bench and epoxy grout.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing membrane | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
| Large-format porcelain walls | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Mosaic shower floor | 15 | sq ft | Your price |
| Built-in bench | 1 | each | Your price |
| Epoxy grout upgrade | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
Attach a photo of each tile. Owners pick tile by look, so show it.
Line items tile installers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Demo existing tile and haul away | sq ft | Walls, floor, or both; disposal included. |
| Cement board or foam board backer | sq ft | Type and thickness. |
| Waterproofing membrane | sq ft | Sheet or liquid; seams and corners. |
| Shower pan, mortar bed or foam | each | Slope to the drain and drain type. |
| Wall tile, set and grouted | sq ft | Tile size, pattern and grout color. |
| Floor tile, set and grouted | sq ft | Layout and where the cuts land. |
| Mosaic or accent band | ft | Linear feet of the band or niche trim. |
| Recessed niche | each | Size, shelf and edge trim. |
| Floor leveling | sq ft | Self-leveler where the floor is out of flat. |
| Edge trim or bullnose | ft | Metal or tile edge. |
| Grout sealer | sq ft | For cement grout; not needed with epoxy. |
| Tile and setting material | sq ft | From your supplier with markup, plus waste. |
Terms and deposit language for tile
- Deposit. A deposit at signing pays for tile and setting materials ordered for this bathroom or floor. Confirm your state's rules on home improvement deposits.
- Payment. Balance due after grout has cured and the job is walked with the owner.
- Warranty. Stand behind cracked tile and loose tile caused by the install, and leaks through a pan you built. Cracks from the house moving or a subfloor you were not asked to fix are left out.
- Tile from the same lot can vary in shade; we mix boxes so the variation spreads out.
- Showers need cure time before use; the day the owner can shower is in the notes.
- Damage found under the old tile, like rotten subfloor, is priced on a change order with photos.
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for tile
The same proposal for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, deck, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for tile installers: how tile installers run on Koira.