Waterproof membrane installed before any tile goes down
Finished curbless shower with navy diamond-pattern tile
Tile is where Smith Works Contracting started, and it's still what owner Jeffrey Smith spends the most time doing. Twelve years of shower pans, herringbone floors, and subway-tile backsplashes has a way of teaching you where corners can't be cut — waterproofing, layout, and grout lines being the three that show up first when they are.
We work on porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone, across bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and floors. If it's a small backsplash or a full shower surround with a niche and a bench, the same attention to layout applies either way.
You might be comparing tile contractors, looking for tile installers near me, or searching for tile layers near me, tile setters near me, or tilers near me — different words, same trade, and the same crew doing the actual tile installation.
Tile installation companies and tile installation contractors get compared the same way homeowners compare any other trade — ask about the waterproofing method first, tile experience second.
Tile is dry-laid and measured before anything gets set, so you don't end up with a sliver of tile at the one wall everyone sees walking in.
Every wet-area tile job gets a proper waterproof membrane underneath it — the part that's invisible once the job is done, and the part that matters most.
You're talking to the tile setter, not a coordinator relaying questions to someone else.
Waterproof membrane installed before any tile goes down
Finished curbless shower with navy diamond-pattern tile
Room dimensions, tile size, and pattern get mapped out so cuts land in the least visible spots.
Subfloor or wall board gets repaired and waterproofed as needed before tile touches the surface.
Tile goes in to the planned layout, with attention to level lines and consistent grout joints.
Grout is applied and sealed, edges are caulked where needed, and the space is left clean.
Ask specifically what waterproofing system they use in wet areas before hiring — a good tile contractor will have a clear answer. We use a proper waterproof membrane on every shower and tub surround, not just a moisture-resistant board.
Both. A backsplash installation is a common standalone project for us, separate from any larger remodel.
A dedicated tile contractor sets the tile directly rather than subbing it out, which tends to mean tighter layout and fewer hand-offs. That's the model we run at Smith Works Contracting.
Often, yes — we can assess whether a repair or partial re-tile is realistic, or whether a full replacement will actually save you money long-term.
Call, or send a few details through the contact form, and you'll hear back from Jeff directly.