Stop losing money on Tile Setter projects.
Send your first 3 contracts for free. One bad bag of thinset or a hidden plumbing leak can turn a profitable week into a $2,000 loss. You cannot afford to absorb the cost of expensive natural stone just because a client changed their mind about a layout after the mortar dried.
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Statement of Work
Ref: 2026-001 • Standard Business Template
Overview
This agreement outlines that all tile installation services will be performed according to industry standards, provided the existing substrate is structurally sound and meets flatness requirements. The Contractor shall not be held liable for cracking or grout failure caused by building settlement, joist deflection, or excessive moisture from plumbing issues not related to the installation. It is the Client's responsibility to provide the tile materials unless otherwise specified, and the Client must ensure that at least 10-15% overage is ordered to account for cuts, waste, and future repairs.
Payment terms are strictly enforced, with a deposit required to secure the project dates and final payment due immediately upon completion of the grouting phase. Any requests for modifications to the layout or grout color after installation has commenced will result in additional labor charges. The Contractor offers a limited one-year warranty on workmanship, which excludes damage resulting from the use of abrasive cleaners, heavy impact, or structural movement occurring after the installation date.
Substrate Deflection
If the subfloor has too much flex or bounce, the tiles will crack regardless of your skill level, leading to expensive warranty claims.
Tile Dye Lot Variation
Natural stones or different manufacturing batches vary in color and size, which can cause client disputes if they do not understand material limits.
Hidden Plumbing Issues
Discovering mold or rotted studs behind a shower wall can halt a project and balloon the labor costs without a formal change order process.
What is a Tile Setter contract?
A Tile Setter contract template is a specialized agreement that defines the scope of surface preparation, waterproofing, and tile installation. It protects contractors by detailing material ownership, layout approvals, and subfloor requirements to prevent unpaid labor and material waste.
Built from real freelance projects
This template is based on real-world scenarios across freelance projects where unclear scope, missing payment terms, and revision creep led to lost revenue. It is designed to protect your time, define expectations, and ensure you get paid.
Why Tile Setters need a clear contract
Tiling is a permanent architectural finish where mistakes are literally set in stone. Unlike a coat of paint, removing a poorly planned tile layout requires a jackhammer and results in 100 percent material loss. A written contract protects you from the nightmare of a client refusing to pay because they do not like a grout color they chose. It clearly defines who is responsible for floor leveling, waterproofing, and the cost of the tiles themselves. In this industry, he said, she said usually ends with the contractor losing their profit to cover expensive porcelain or marble replacements. A contract ensures that technical standards like TCNA guidelines are the benchmark for quality rather than a client's subjective whim.
Real-world scenario
Imagine you quote a master bathroom floor for a flat rate based on standard ceramic tile. On day one, the client arrives with 24 by 48 inch large format porcelain tiles that require a specialized leveling system and two people to set. You decide to push through without a change order to keep the project moving. Halfway through, you realize the subfloor is severely crowned, requiring four bags of self-leveler you did not budget for. When you present the final invoice with a small surcharge for the extra materials, the client refuses to pay, claiming your original quote was a fixed price. Without a contract specifying tile size limits and subfloor tolerances, you are forced to eat the cost of the extra labor and materials. You end up working for ten dollars an hour just to cover your overhead and tool wear.
🛡️ What this contract covers:
- ✓Substrate assessment and surface preparation including waterproofing, leveling, and installation of backer boards.
- ✓Precision tile layout and installation using industry-standard thin-set and spacers to ensure consistent grout lines.
- ✓Professional grouting, haze removal, and application of high-quality sealant for moisture protection.
Best practices for Tile Setters
Document Waterproofing
Always take high resolution photos of your flood test and waterproofing membrane before the tile covers it.
Material Deposit
Require a 50 percent deposit to cover all materials and initial mobilization costs before a single tile is cut.
Dry Lay Approval
Have the client sign off on a dry lay of the tile to approve the color and pattern before any thinset is mixed.
Legal Disclaimer: MicroFreelanceHub is a software workflow tool, not a law firm. The templates and information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the subfloor is uneven or damaged?
Additional leveling or subfloor repair work discovered after the start of the project will be documented in a change order and billed as an additional expense.
Are material variations like color and texture covered?
No, natural stone and ceramic tiles have inherent variations; the contractor is not responsible for aesthetic differences between showroom samples and delivered batches.