We had such a great experience working with Gabriel and his team at Bencke’s Tile Bath Remodel. From the very beginning, Gabriel was incredibly communicative, responsive, responsible, and someone we felt we could completely trust. He always kept us updated, answered every question, and made what could have been a stressful renovation feel easy.
Our Jack-and-Jill bathroom was 25 years old and very builder-grade and felt cramped with way too many doors. Gabriel helped completely transform the space into a bathroom that feels so much larger, brighter, and honestly looks like something out of a magazine.
The quality of the work is exceptional. They waterproofed the bathroom properly, insulated the tub, installed a linear drain with a perfectly sloped floor so the water drains exactly where it should, and the tile work is absolutely flawless. The floating vanity, mirror, and every finish were installed with so much attention to detail.
What I appreciated just as much was that Gabriel truly stands behind his work. If we noticed even the smallest thing, he was happy to come back and make it right without any hesitation. It’s rare to find a contractor who genuinely wants everything to be perfect.
We interviewed several contractors before choosing Gabriel, and I am so glad we did. The final result exceeded our expectations, and the whole process was smooth from start to finish. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gabriel and his team to anyone looking for a bathroom remodel. They do beautiful work, they’re honest, and they’re the kind of people you actually enjoy working with. Adding the before and after pictures for reference!
Tile Installation in Richmond, VA
Bencke’s Tile is a tile contractor in Richmond, VA. We set tile on shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, floors and feature walls. Ask for a free estimate and we will come measure the space.
Call for Remodeling Service:804-244-6737- 5.0 16 Google reviews
- Free in-home estimate
- Licensed & insured
Tile looks simple until you see it done wrong
Crooked lines, one tile sitting higher than its neighbor, grout that cracks, a pattern that misses at the corner. These show up fast and are hard to fix once the tile is set.
The difference is mostly in the prep: a flat surface, the right bond and a layout planned before the first tile goes down.
Where Bencke’s Tile sets tile
Showers and tub surrounds
Walls, niches, benches and shower floors.
Kitchen backsplashes
From plain subway to herringbone, hexagon and glass.
Floors
Kitchens, bathrooms and entryways.
Repairs and small jobs
Clients have called for a bathtub access panel and for emergency tile repairs in a kitchen and a bathroom.
Tile work we have finished
What good tile work needs underneath
A flat, solid base. Tile cracks when it sits on a surface that flexes or is not level. Floors may need to be leveled, and wet walls need a firm board, not drywall.
Water control. Showers, tub surrounds and some kitchen areas need a waterproof layer behind the tile.
A plan on the wall. Where the pattern starts, where the cuts land and where the grout lines meet a corner are worked out before setting, so that the room looks even once it is done.
Time to cure. The bond and the grout need time before the room can be used. Rushing this is a common reason tile fails.
Tile types, in plain words
Porcelain
Dense, hard and low in water absorption. A strong pick for showers, floors and entries. It is harder to cut, which matters for custom layouts.
Ceramic
Lighter and easier to cut. A good fit for walls, backsplashes and low-traffic floors. The glaze does the work, so a chip can show a different color underneath.
Natural stone
Marble, travertine, slate and more. Each piece is unique, and most need sealing and gentler cleaners. Stone can stain or etch, so ask how it will wear.
Glass tile
Bright and easy to wipe. It shows whatever is behind it, so the setting has to be smooth. Best on walls.
Mosaic sheets
Small tiles on a mesh backing. They bend around curves and give grip on shower floors. More grout lines also means more cleaning.
Large-format tile
Fewer grout lines and a more continuous look. The floor underneath has to be very flat, and the tile needs the right mortar and a careful hand.
The materials you will not see, and why they matter
Backer board
A cement-based board gives a firm, water-tolerant base on walls. Plain drywall behind wet tile is a failure waiting to happen.
Waterproof membrane
A layer over the board or the floor keeps water from reaching what is behind it. It is a must in showers and a good idea in other wet areas.
Mortar
The glue that holds the tile. The right type depends on the size of the tile and the surface. Large tile needs a mortar made for it, spread evenly.
Uncoupling layer
A thin sheet used on some floors. It lets the floor move a little without cracking the tile above it.
Grout
The fill between tiles. Sanded, unsanded and epoxy each suit different joint widths and different rooms.
Movement joints and caulk
Corners and changes of surface get flexible caulk, not hard grout. Hard grout in a corner cracks as the house moves.
A sliver of tile at the edge is a planning mistake
Starting at a wall instead of planning from the center can leave a thin sliver of tile at one edge. A sliver looks like an error because it is one, and it usually traces back to a layout that was not checked before setting began.
Using the wrong mortar for large tile, or not spreading it evenly, leaves hollow spots that later crack. Grouting too early can trap moisture. Mixing boxes without checking that they match can leave a patch of slightly different color. And skipping extra tile means a repair years from now may never match.
How a project runs.
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Free in-home estimate
We come to your home, measure, and talk through what you want.
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Your price
You get the price for your job before any work starts.
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The build
Demo, prep, tile and grout, in that order.
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Walkthrough
You look over the finished room before the job is closed.
5.0 on Google from 16 reviews.
We love our new kitchen tile backsplash! Working with Bencke’s was a great experience, from the start with good communication and professionalism to the finish with a beautiful job well done!
Gabriel came by to give an estimate on doing tile work and was very thorough in articulating his approach, timeline and cost. He gave a wonderful idea to put a marble counter ledge which turned out really beautiful. He was so quick in starting the project and kept everything so clean with protecting furniture surround the bathroom. His crew were so polite and did an amazing job. I’m so grateful for them completing this so quickly. Gabriel went above and beyond to get everything done quickly but also with excellence. I would highly recommend him and his crew!
We needed an access panel for our tile bathtub and Gabriel was able to give us a quick estimate. He delivered flawlessly and we are very happy!
I can't say enough about Gabriel and his team. I put in an emergency request for kitchen and bathroom tile repairs/replacements on a Tuesday, and they were out fixing it and doing an amazing job by Thursday!! Highly recommend. Can't say enough good things! Thank you!
Walk your house before the estimate visit
List every place you might want tile, even the ones you doubt. Take a photo of each space with a tape measure in the shot. Save pictures of tile you like, and note whether it is the color, the pattern or the shine that caught your eye.
Decide whether you want to buy the tile yourself or get help choosing it. Either is fine, but the answer changes the quote. Clear a path to each space and move small items. If any area has water damage, say so, because that changes the plan before the first tile is set.
How to pick the tile contractor for your job
Ask to see work like yours. Ask who will be on the job each day. Ask for the price in writing. Ask how the wall or floor is prepared before tile goes on. A contractor who answers plainly is worth the call.
Frequently asked questions
Don’t see your question? Call or write and we will answer it.
Clients have hired us for jobs as small as a bathtub access panel and for tile repairs.
Porcelain and ceramic, marble-look tile, mosaics and glass.
The size of the area, the pattern, the prep and the tile itself all change the price. The estimate is free and in your home, so you get a real number for your job.
Porcelain is denser and takes in less water, so it is a popular pick for showers and floors. Ceramic is lighter and often costs less. Both work well in a home. Our guide on the two goes into the details.
Related pages.
ServiceFloor Tile Installation
Bencke’s Tile installs floor tile in Richmond, VA, for kitchens, bathrooms and entryways, from herringbone and hexagon to checkerboard. Ask for a free estimate and we will measure the floor.
Learn more
ServiceKitchen Backsplash
Bencke’s Tile installs kitchen backsplashes in Richmond, VA, in subway, herringbone, hexagon, chevron and glass tile. Ask for a free estimate and we will measure your wall.
Learn more
GuidePorcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Which One Should You Pick?
What really separates porcelain from ceramic, and which one fits a shower, a bathroom floor, a kitchen or a backsplash.
Read the guide
GuideHow to Choose a Tile Contractor in Richmond
Nine checks for hiring a tile contractor in the Richmond area: the Virginia license lookup, insurance, the written contract, the quote, references and red flags.
Read the guide
GuideTile Installation Cost per Square Foot
Tile installation cost per square foot from two published sources, what the labor range includes, and the extras that raise the bill.
Read the guide
