Tile Scope of Work Template
Download a tile scope of work template to define demolition, preparation, waterproofing, tile systems, responsibilities, exclusions, and closeout.
Define Tile Installation Responsibilities Before Work Begins
A tile scope of work gives specialty contractors, general contractors, and project teams a clear record of the surfaces, preparation, waterproofing, tile systems, setting materials, trims, labor, equipment, temporary conditions, coordination, quality requirements, and closeout work included in a project. It helps establish who is responsible for each activity before material is released and tile crews mobilize.
This Tile Scope of Work Template is designed for commercial tile subcontractors, residential tile installers, ceramic and porcelain tile contractors, natural-stone installers, shower and waterproofing contractors, estimators, project managers, superintendents, and construction business owners.
What Is a Tile Scope of Work?
A tile scope of work is a detailed description of the labor, materials, equipment, temporary conditions, coordination, quality requirements, and deliverables needed to complete a tile or stone package. It defines the contractor's limits of work and identifies the drawings, specifications, tile schedules, interior elevations, approved submittals, samples, mockups, assumptions, exclusions, and acceptance requirements that apply.
A complete scope may address demolition, thinset removal, grinding, patching, floor flattening, wall correction, self-leveling, mud beds, backer board, waterproofing, uncoupling membranes, crack isolation, floor tile, wall tile, mosaics, natural stone, shower systems, tile base, thresholds, niches, benches, curbs, stairs, mortar, grout, sealant, movement joints, edge profiles, testing, protection, punch-list work, and closeout.
When to Use This Template
- Preparing a residential or commercial tile subcontract
- Defining floor tile, wall tile, shower, backsplash, base, and stair work
- Assigning demolition and substrate-preparation responsibilities
- Documenting waterproofing, uncoupling, crack-isolation, and other membrane systems
- Defining ceramic, porcelain, mosaic, glass, quarry, cement, or natural-stone installation
- Assigning mortar, grout, sealant, movement-joint, trim, and accessory requirements
- Clarifying layout, pattern, centering, joint, and finish expectations
- Assigning temporary heat, lighting, power, water, access, scaffold, lift, and storage responsibilities
- Defining inspection, flood-test, punch-list, warranty, and closeout requirements
- Documenting revised scope after approved changes to products, layouts, preparation, or waterproofing
Who Should Use This Template?
This template is suitable for commercial tile subcontractors, residential tile contractors, ceramic and porcelain tile installers, natural-stone contractors, waterproofing contractors, flooring subcontractors with tile divisions, general contractors, estimators, project managers, superintendents, architects, interior designers, and construction managers.
It can be adapted for multifamily, healthcare, education, hospitality, restaurant, retail, office, residential, municipal, tenant-improvement, renovation, and public-works projects.
What a Tile Scope of Work Should Include
| Scope Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Project and Work Limits | Identifies the project, buildings, floors, rooms, elevations, walls, surfaces, phases, and physical limits of the tile package. |
| Governing Documents | Lists drawings, tile plans, finish schedules, interior elevations, specifications, addenda, RFIs, approved submittals, samples, and mockups. |
| Existing Conditions | Documents existing finishes, substrate condition, cracks, joints, flatness concerns, moisture, access restrictions, and adjacent finishes. |
| Demolition | Defines removal of existing tile, stone, mortar beds, backer board, membranes, adhesives, thinset, base, and related debris. |
| Substrate Preparation | Defines grinding, patching, crack repair, flattening, self-leveling, wall floating, mud beds, backer board, cleaning, and preparation acceptance. |
| Waterproofing and Membranes | Identifies waterproofing, uncoupling, crack isolation, vapor control, seams, corners, penetrations, drains, cure requirements, and testing. |
| Tile and Stone Systems | Documents field tile, mosaics, natural stone, base, thresholds, niches, benches, curbs, stairs, patterns, and installation methods. |
| Setting and Grouting Materials | Defines mortar, grout, sealant, backer rod, primers, additives, spacers, leveling systems, trims, and movement-joint components. |
| Layout and Finish Requirements | Clarifies starting points, centering, pattern direction, joint width, cut placement, shade blending, alignment, lippage expectations, and mockups. |
| Equipment and Access | Addresses grinders, vacuums, mixers, wet saws, rail saws, lifts, scaffolds, water, temporary power, lighting, storage, and material handling. |
| Quality Control and Testing | Assigns substrate inspections, waterproofing inspections, flood tests, bond tests, mockup approval, corrective work, and final acceptance. |
| Schedule and Coordination | Defines area releases, sequencing, curing, access, trade coordination, temporary conditions, protection, and remobilization requirements. |
| Closeout | Defines cleaning, punch-list work, attic stock, product records, warranties, care information, and final documentation. |
| Exclusions and Work by Others | Clarifies structural repairs, major substrate correction, water intrusion, hazardous-material abatement, temporary utilities, and other excluded work. |
How to Use the Template
- Enter the project, contractor, customer, contract information, work areas, phases, and governing documents.
- List each tile surface by building, floor, room, elevation, wall designation, finish code, tile type, product, size, pattern, substrate, and installation method.
- Document existing tile, mortar, coatings, cracks, joints, flatness conditions, moisture concerns, and access limitations that affect the work.
- Define demolition, grinding, patching, flattening, wall correction, self-leveling, mud-bed, and backer-board requirements.
- Identify waterproofing and membrane systems, including seams, corners, penetrations, drains, cure periods, flood testing, and inspection responsibilities.
- Define tile, stone, mortar, grout, sealant, trims, thresholds, movement joints, niches, curbs, benches, base, and stair components.
- State layout requirements, pattern direction, joint width, centering assumptions, shade-lot requirements, and approved mockups.
- Assign responsibility for lifts, scaffolds, temporary heat, lighting, power, water, storage, unloading, floor distribution, protection, and debris handling.
- Document schedule, area-release, inspection, punch-list, warranty, and closeout requirements.
- Separate included work, exclusions, allowances, alternates, unit prices, and work by others before the scope is approved.
A tile subcontractor is awarded a hotel renovation that includes removal of existing restroom tile, localized floor grinding and patching, liquid-applied shower waterproofing, 24-by-48-inch porcelain floor tile, ceramic wall tile, mosaic shower floors, tile base, stone thresholds, shower niches, edge profiles, movement joints, grout, sealant, and final cleaning. The general contractor provides temporary lighting, water, debris containers, secure material storage, and released work areas. Structural slab repair, extensive floor flattening, concealed water damage, hazardous-material abatement, and substrate correction beyond the stated allowance are excluded unless authorized through a written change.
Best Practices for Tile Scopes of Work
- Reference current drawings, tile plans, finish schedules, interior elevations, specifications, addenda, and approved submittals.
- Organize the scope by building, floor, room, wall, surface, tile type, and phase.
- Define substrate preparation separately from tile installation.
- State floor-flatness, wall-flatness, and substrate-condition assumptions clearly.
- Identify waterproofing, uncoupling, crack-isolation, and other membrane systems separately.
- Define mortar, grout, sealant, movement-joint, and edge-profile requirements.
- Document tile size, pattern, orientation, joint width, shade blending, and layout requirements.
- Assign temporary utilities, access, storage, unloading, protection, and material-handling responsibilities.
- Define inspection, flood-test, mockup, corrective-work, punch-list, and acceptance procedures.
- Preserve revisions and written approvals whenever the scope changes.
Common Tile Scope of Work Mistakes
- Using broad language such as “complete tile package” without identifying surfaces or systems
- Failing to reference current tile plans, finish schedules, elevations, specifications, and addenda
- Leaving demolition limits or debris-disposal responsibilities unclear
- Failing to define floor flattening, wall correction, patching, mud beds, or backer board
- Leaving waterproofing, penetrations, drains, flood testing, or membrane responsibilities undefined
- Omitting grout type, joint width, movement joints, sealant, edge profiles, or specialty trim
- Failing to define tile layout, centering, pattern direction, shade blending, or mockups
- Leaving temporary heat, lighting, water, power, storage, scaffold, or lift responsibilities unclear
- Failing to distinguish included preparation from unforeseen substrate repairs
- Changing products, layouts, waterproofing, or preparation without documenting the revision
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a tile scope of work?
It defines the tile contractor's work limits, products, preparation, waterproofing, installation systems, responsibilities, exclusions, quality requirements, schedule obligations, and closeout deliverables before field work begins.
Should each tile surface be listed separately?
Yes. Floors, walls, showers, backsplashes, base, stairs, niches, curbs, benches, thresholds, and specialty surfaces should be separated when products, substrates, preparation, or installation requirements differ.
How should substrate preparation be described?
Identify the existing condition and the included cleaning, grinding, patching, crack treatment, self-leveling, wall floating, mud-bed, or backer-board work. Also state the basis for additional corrective work.
How should waterproofing be documented?
Identify the system, manufacturer or performance requirement, areas, seams, corners, penetrations, drains, reinforcement, cure requirements, testing, inspection, and repair responsibilities.
Who is responsible for floor or wall correction?
The scope should identify the preparation included in the tile contractor's work and clarify who performs structural repair, extensive flattening, framing correction, drywall correction, or other work outside that included preparation.
What layout information should be included?
Document tile size, pattern, orientation, starting points, centering, joint width, alignment, cut locations, borders, insets, shade blending, and mockup or layout approval requirements where applicable.
How should movement joints be handled?
The scope should identify applicable movement, perimeter, control, and expansion-joint treatments; responsible trades; sealants or profiles; and locations shown in the contract documents.
When should the tile scope be revised?
Revise it when tile products, sizes, patterns, quantities, substrates, preparation, waterproofing, layouts, temporary conditions, access, schedule, testing, or trade responsibilities change.
Create a Clear Tile Installation and Coordination Record
A structured tile scope of work helps contractors define preparation, waterproofing, tile systems, setting materials, layout requirements, responsibilities, temporary conditions, quality requirements, and closeout before installation begins.