Updated October 2026 · By Bencke’s Tile
1. Check the Virginia license
Virginia licenses contractors through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, called DPOR. In general, a contractor doing paid remodeling work above $1,000 needs a state license, and the license class depends on the size of the job.
Ask for the license number and look it up on the DPOR website. The lookup shows the name on the license, the class, the specialties, and whether it is active or expired. Check that the name on the license matches the name on your quote and contract. Ask which part of the license covers tile or bathroom work, and whether it matches your job. If the answer is vague, keep looking.
2. Ask for proof of insurance
A tile job puts workers in your home, with saws, water and heavy material. Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability, and ask whether workers on your job are covered by workers' compensation. It is best to have the certificate sent to you by the insurance company, so you know it is current.
3. Get a written contract
In Virginia, a licensed contractor doing residential work must use a written contract, and it must be signed before work starts or money is accepted. The state rules list what it has to say. Among other things, it must name the contractor and the license number, give the start date and the expected finish date, state the total price and the schedule of payments including the down payment, describe the work and the materials, and explain how either side can cancel.
It must also say that any change to the price, the materials, the work or the finish date must be in writing and signed by both of you. That protects you when a surprise comes up behind a wall. Read it before you sign, and ask about anything that is not clear.
4. Compare quotes line by line
Three quotes can be hard to compare because they describe different jobs. Ask each contractor to spell out the same things.
| Ask the quote to say | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Exactly what is demolished and removed | Demo and haul-away are often where quotes differ |
| The waterproofing method and the flood test | It decides whether a shower lasts |
| Who supplies the tile, the thinset and the grout | Avoids a surprise purchase later |
| Which parts are allowances, not fixed prices | An allowance can grow when you pick finishes |
| Permits: who pulls them and who pays | Required for many plumbing changes |
| Payment schedule tied to finished steps | Keeps payments in step with the work |
| Cleanup and protection of floors and furniture | Tile work is dusty |
5. Ask how the work is really done
Two contractors can quote the same tile and do very different work. Ask about the parts you cannot see. How do you check that the wall or floor is flat? What backer board and what waterproofing do you use, and do you flood-test a shower before tiling? Which thinset do you use for this tile? How do you handle corners, so they do not crack? Our shower waterproofing guide and large format tile guide explain what good answers sound like.
A pro who loves the work will answer in plain words, without a sales pitch. Be careful with someone who says everything is simple or that testing is not needed.
6. Ask who will actually be on site
Find out who runs the job day to day, who sets the tile, and whether subcontractors are involved. Is the person you meet at the estimate the person who will be there? Will the same crew stay from start to finish? You are not wrong to ask. A small crew with a clear leader can be great, and a big company can also be great. What matters is that someone is clearly responsible.
7. Look at real work and real reviews
Ask to see photos of finished jobs like yours. Better still, ask to speak to a past customer. When you read online reviews, look for details: what job was done, how problems were handled, and whether the customer says the work was on time and the price matched the quote. A few detailed reviews tell you more than many short ones. Be careful of a profile with only five-star praise and no details.
8. Watch for red flags
Walk away, or at least slow down, if a contractor will not give a license number, offers no written contract, asks for most of the money upfront, pushes you to sign today, says permits are not needed when plumbing is being changed, or gives a price far below every other quote. A very low price usually means something has been left out.
9. Notice how they communicate
A good contractor makes things clearer. They return calls, explain the steps, tell you what could go wrong, and put it in writing. If you feel rushed or confused at the estimate, that is how the job may feel too. The estimate visit is a good time to ask all of these questions, and you should leave with a clear plan, not a mystery.
