▪ Even if there is already a rubber membrane in the shower pan that was installed by a plumber, I ask my tile contractor to take it out and install a new one. I don't want to take any chances that the plumber's membrane was torn or punctured before the tile contractor arrived on the site.

▪ If your hardwood floors have not been sanded and finished when the tile contractor is installing the tile, there is a chance that the tile contractor could spill some mastic or glue or other material on the hardwood floors. This could leave a stain and appear very worrisome. However, don't lose sleep over it since almost any surface stain like this can be sanded out by the hardwood floor contractors when they come to do their finishing.

▪ To create an old fashioned look around fireplaces, I like to use beveled tile. This is available at specialty tile stores. It's not inexpensive, but it looks fantastic.

▪ To save money on your backsplash, you should compare prices of a tile backsplash versus using granite or some other product. Tile may be less expensive and provide some pleasing variety.

Tile Tips - Home Remodeling, Part 1

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University