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Stick on Tile Pricing

MSA1 | Posted in General Discussion on December 1, 2005 06:00am

I have to bid a whole basement of stick on tile. I can price ceramic but have never had to price stick on before. This is just a labor charge and the old floor is being taken up by a remediation company (the old 9×9).

It looks like it goes in quickly. I’m figuring $1 or 2 a foot, but i’m not sure.

Any advice?

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Replies

  1. RW | Dec 01, 2005 06:42am | #1

    use adhesive or be coming back in a month

    you're probably aware this isn't the cadillac of tile. It tends not to adhere well, or for long without some help from you. Plan on trowelling your own adhesive down.

    "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

    1. MSA1 | Dec 02, 2005 04:54am | #4

      I was planning on using adhesive. I was wondering though if $1-$1.50 is a fair install price. I've done alot of ceramic but this is the first stick on job. I know it goes down quick and cuts easy so I figure alot less time.

      1. durabond5 | Dec 02, 2005 06:35am | #5

        That is too low. Go with $3 a sq. ft. Pour down contact cement and spread with a roller. Tile in 30 minutes.

        1. FastEddie | Dec 02, 2005 06:40am | #6

          Use floor tile adhesive, not contact cment.  And spread it with a proper notched trowel, not a roller.  Then it does go down quick.

            

          "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

          1. durabond5 | Dec 02, 2005 07:01am | #7

            That's how i do dry-back. But with self-stick it is faster with a roller and easier physically.

        2. MSA1 | Dec 03, 2005 05:05am | #10

          I thought I might have been a little low but its a big basement with not much cutting. I'm hoping it will go fast.

          Famous last words, right?

          1. durabond5 | Dec 04, 2005 10:47pm | #17

            Get yourself the Crain Model A tile cutter and wonder how you ever did without it.

          2. MSA1 | Dec 05, 2005 02:29am | #18

            I'm not familiar w/ that. What is it? Is it power or a scoring tool?

          3. durabond5 | Dec 07, 2005 12:45am | #19

            It requires no electricity. You put the tile on it and pull the handle and the blade comes down. It does not score. It cuts through it. Leverage and a sharp blade are essential. Maybe you can rent one if you only need it one time.

          4. MSA1 | Dec 07, 2005 02:33am | #20

            Thanks, Sounds like a big paper cutter. I actually worked with a guy that used a big paper cutter for vinyl siding and cap rows of shingles. Worked great.

  2. FastEddie | Dec 01, 2005 06:47am | #2

    I recently did some ... bought the best qualiy that Lowes had, and still added a layer of glue to the floor.  The higher priced stuff is not bad, and the directiuons say that a layer of glue can be used as a primer.  it makes the tiles stick real well.

     

     

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

  3. IdahoDon | Dec 01, 2005 07:47am | #3

    A sealer is also used to seal the gap between each tile.  An inlaw like the stuff since it's cheap and easy to install.  Even installed correctly it separates at the seams after a few years and she gets to pick a new color.  Solid vinyl is much much more durable.

  4. User avater
    PearceServices | Dec 02, 2005 10:57am | #8

    Sheet goods, or peel and press tiles can be a problem when installed onto a below grade concrete slab. If the flooring can't breathe, moisture can cause lifting of tiles, or could cause the adhesive to rise up to the wear layer leaving black stains under the surface that can't be cleaned.

    I do not think that most manufacturers recommend, or warrantee this application.

    1. DanT | Dec 02, 2005 02:09pm | #9

      Because of the amount of issues getting it down and looking right in the process we won't even lay it anymore.  And as mentioned above I persoanlly have not seen an application on cement where it wasn't delaminating.  But maybe using adhesive with it would help that.  Anyway.....we don't lay it.  DanT

    2. MSA1 | Dec 03, 2005 05:07am | #11

      I'm concerned about it lifting but there has been tile on the floor for a long time that seems to be holding well. Its the old asbestos kind. I guess the insurance company is paying for this and they have a remediation company coming out to remove the old tile.

      1. calvin | Dec 03, 2005 05:09am | #12

        oh boy.  Now you might have the old blackjack type glue to contend with. 

        Best of luck.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

         

        1. MSA1 | Dec 03, 2005 05:50am | #15

          Okay i'll bite. What contentions? Are you referring to making a nice flat surface? I'm hoping the remediation company will give me a nice clean surface to deal with.

          1. calvin | Dec 03, 2005 05:55am | #16

            If the tile you are using are white-bleed through perhaps but black coming up between the never get tite tiles.

            Poor adhesion depending upon the glue you use.

            Black knee pads.

            And this is from someone not real well versed in old lino glue and it's results under peel and stick, so take it for what it's worth.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

             

      2. donk123 | Dec 03, 2005 05:41am | #13

        You mentioned the tile down there is the "old" kind. The "new" kind uses a different glue, and really little of it. I would certainly do as others have suggested - assuming the floor is cleaned well - and put down another adhesive. Don't trust the stuff on the tile.

        As far as pricing, how many tile can you lay on average in an hour? I worked doing basements years ago, 9x9's in the glue you are probably referring to, clear not black, and two guys and a kid helper could do almost any basement in a half day - more or less. True, the houses were smaller then, but tile were thicker and were more difficult to cut. I think 30 tile in an hour ($45/hour at your rate) should be easy, even with add'l glue. If you hustle and have  decent helper, you can probably do somewhat better.

        Good luck. Don K.

         

        EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction -  Rentals

         

        1. MSA1 | Dec 03, 2005 05:47am | #14

          Yeah I am going to use adhesive.. Cant rely on the sticky stuff on the back of the tile.

          I'm hoping to be out in a day even though there are four rooms and a hall.

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