What a tile work order is for
Tile is permanent the moment the thinset sets. A work order with the layout center line, where the cuts go, niche height, accent band height and grout color stops the mistakes that mean tearing tile back out. It also schedules the return trips around cure times so the crew is not standing in a wet shower.
What to put on a tile work order
- Layout start point and where cuts fall.
- Tile size, pattern and grout color.
- Niche and band heights.
- Pan slope and drain location.
- Cure time before each next step.
A worked example
Setting day for the shower walls, with prices hidden on the setter's copy.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flood test the pan before wall tile | 1 | each | Your price |
| Wall tile, centered on the niche, brick pattern | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Accent band at 48 inches | 11 | ft | Your price |
| Niche, 42 inches to the shelf | 1 | each | Your price |
Mark the niche height and band height in site notes. They are the two numbers owners care about most and remember exactly.
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. |
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer, the site and the date.
- Add who is assigned, the arrival window and access.
- List the tasks and materials in the order the crew will need them.
- Put gate codes, pets and anything to protect in the site notes.
- Print it for the truck or send it to the crew's phone as a PDF.
Free tools for tile
The same work order 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.