What's in a tile installation scope of work?

It covers substrate prep, waterproofing, tile setting, grouting, caulking, and sealing. It defines materials, layout, finish details, and payment terms.

How flat does the floor need to be?

Industry standard is 1/4" variation over 10 feet for standard tile. Large format tile (over 15") requires 1/8" over 10 feet. Leveling may be needed.

What's the difference between grout and caulk?

Grout goes between tiles on the same plane. Caulk goes at corners, changes of plane, and where tile meets fixtures. Using grout in corners will crack.

Do I need a flood test?

Shower pans should be flood-tested before tiling to verify the waterproofing is intact. It's cheap insurance against an expensive leak.

Can I modify this template?

Yes. Adjust for floor tile, shower tile, backsplash, outdoor applications, or commercial projects.

Tile Installation Scope of Work Template | Free Download 2026

Tile installation requires careful planning — the layout, substrate, waterproofing, and grout all need to be defined before a single tile goes down. A scope of work makes sure everyone agrees on what the finished product looks like. This template covers the complete tile installation process from demo to final seal. Use it for any tile project. Customize it for your specific job and present a professional scope.

Project Overview

This scope covers tile installation including surface preparation, backer board, waterproofing, tile setting, grouting, and finishing. Applicable to floors, walls, showers, and specialty applications.

Typical Projects Include:

Bathroom tile (floor and walls)
Custom shower installation
Kitchen backsplash
Entryway or mudroom tile
Outdoor patio tile
Commercial restroom tile

Scope of Work

Surface Prep

Task	Description
Demo	Remove existing tile, flooring, or wall covering. Clean the surface down to substrate.
Backer Board	Install cement backer board on walls and floors. Tape and mud all seams.
Waterproofing	Apply liquid or sheet waterproofing membrane in all wet areas. Cover seams, corners, and penetrations.
Leveling	Level the floor substrate if needed. Large format tile requires tighter flatness tolerances.

Tile Setting

Task	Description
Layout	Establish tile layout, starting lines, and pattern. Verify with client before setting.
Setting	Set tile in thinset mortar using the correct trowel size and technique. Back-butter large format tiles.
Cutting	Cut tile at edges, corners, outlets, and fixtures with a wet saw. Achieve clean, precise cuts.
Edge Treatment	Install metal edge trim, bullnose, or pencil liner at all exposed tile edges.

Grouting & Completion

Task	Description
Grouting	Apply grout to all joints. Work in sections and clean tile faces before grout sets.
Caulking	Apply silicone or latex caulk at all corners, changes of plane, and fixture penetrations.
Sealing	Seal grout joints and natural stone surfaces per product specifications.
Final Clean	Remove all grout haze, clean tile surfaces, and walk the job with the client.

Timeline & Milestones

Tile installation timelines depend on the area size and complexity. Expect 3-10 days for a typical bathroom.

Phase	Duration	Description
Surface Prep	1-3 days	Demo, backer board, waterproofing, and leveling.
Tile Setting	2-5 days	Layout, setting, cutting, and edge treatments.
Grouting & Completion	1-2 days	Grouting, caulking, sealing, and cleanup.

Roles & Responsibilities

Property Owner / GC

•Provide tile, grout, and trim selections on time
•Approve tile layout before setting begins
•Keep other trades out of tile areas during curing
•Process payments per the agreed schedule

Tile Installer

•Prep all surfaces to manufacturer standards
•Install waterproofing in wet areas
•Set tile per the approved layout
•Grout, caulk, and seal all tile work
•Clean up and protect finished work

Materials & Equipment

Tile Materials

•Field tile and accent tile
•Thinset mortar (modified for wet areas)
•Grout (sanded, unsanded, or epoxy)
•Edge trim and bullnose

Substrate

•Cement backer board and screws
•Waterproofing membrane
•Self-leveling compound (if needed)
•Seam tape

Tools

•Wet saw and tile cutter
•Notched trowels (various sizes)
•Grout float and sponge
•Leveling system clips and wedges

Quality Control Standards

No Lippage

Adjacent tiles are flush with no lippage. Leveling system used for large format tiles.

Waterproof Integrity

Waterproofing covers 100% of wet area surfaces with no gaps at seams or penetrations.

Grout Quality

Joints fully filled, consistent color, and properly sealed.

Safety Protocols

Silica Dust

Use wet cutting methods to control silica dust. Wear a respirator when dry-cutting tile.

Chemical Handling

Use waterproofing products and sealers in ventilated areas. Wear gloves.

Sharp Edges

Handle cut tile carefully. Wear cut-resistant gloves during installation.

Project Documentation

Signed contract and scope of work
Tile and grout selections
Layout drawing or approval photo
Waterproofing product and coverage documentation
Flood test results (for shower pans)
Warranty information

Financial Terms

Payment Structure

Tile installation is typically billed per square foot with milestone payments.

Terms & Conditions

•Deposit due at signing (typically 50%)
•Payment after substrate and waterproofing are complete
•Final payment after grouting and walkthrough
•Tile material is usually purchased separately by the owner
•Change orders for additional areas or design changes

Acceptance Criteria & Sign-Off

The project is considered complete when the following criteria are met:

1All tile set flat with consistent grout joints
2Waterproofing complete and tested in wet areas
3Grout joints fully filled and sealed
4Caulk at all changes of plane
5Edge trim and details installed cleanly
6All surfaces cleaned and haze-free

Frequently Asked Questions

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Tile Installation Scope of Work Template