The subcontractor most likely gave you a discount for the contractor cause contractor is supplying him with steady work. $700 your just paying his hourly wage but he is not an Employee , he is a subcontractor small business owner thinking this is too high and believing that $3-4 dollars a sq ft if normal is in correct. Information on Google is way off for what to expect in a real world situation. If a union tile journeyman get paid $35-45 per hour and that shower takes $40 hours his wage alone as an employee if twice the $700 for the week. This is a direct cost for an tile company or small business . You may find someone at a low price but most likely unlicensed , doesn't pay taxes or any overhead no insurance. And not to be found if anything goes wrong. Get the job done right the first time also if tile guy is a one or two man company don't think he doesn't have overhead or expenses . Expenses add up quick go to home depot to buy a part leave spending a $100 or more . I wouldn't charge less than $40 a square foot for tile installation. Cost off living is high really high in California why would I charge less than that. Makes no sense. Just y two sense

Thanks Worthy, appreciate the info. With the chipped tile - we don't think it was their fault, but rather something natural accommodated for in ordering an additional 10-20% of tiles. But the tiles in the garage AREN'T chipped, so we wonder why the chipped ones were used? As we live with this tile, how easy is it going to be for us to chip it? I mean, that's one of the reasons we went with porcelain over slate was (what the tile shops told us) durability... Also - they grouted Friday, coming to seal tomorrow. Will the grout be sufficiently dry by now? We are a little concerned about the color of the grout as it is quite varied, even in a single tile edge - the variation is from almost white-ish gray to med brown (what we choose). We thought it was still drying... but it will be sealed in less than 24 hours! Thanks!

I am sorry to say that your story is very much like the ones we are trying to educate homeowners about. First and foremost, if he did not provide you with an allowance of the cost of the tile in his budget, then you should not be obligated to pay. The contractor discount is not the issue -- it's about his allowances. If the contract says "furnish and install at $1,540 then that is what you should pay. If there is other language in the contract that allows for changes, then he may have the right to charge extra -- though totally unethical if you did not approve those extra charges. The extra $650 for the "tile membrane" should also be included in the install price. If he did not add it in his original quote but is a needed part of the project, then he should eat that. Overall, your expectations are reasonable. However, if your contract allows the contractor to bill for extras WITHOUT your approval, then you might be liable for the additional charges. If nothing is stated in the contract, it could go either way. I also recommend asking for receipts of additional materials he purchased without your approval. Definitely check with the tile flooring forum for the particulars. Finally, when we price out a job, small or large, we provide one fixed price. Period. The project includes installation and materials. If we miss materials, shame on us. Replacing the entire subfloor would depend on the age, tile, etc. Those are unknowns for any contractor until the area is exposed. When the types of changes you describe are required, we will issue a "change order" for final approval and signature. Nothing is done until the homeowner signs off. Here is a link that might be useful: Hafer Construction, Inc.

Ahhhh....Location location location. It is all part of the price process. A $13/sf wood install is a good deal...just make sure the subfloor prep is included. You state you have both wood and cement (above grade). That complicates things. When looking at subfloor prep in an expensive area (Midwest = FAAAAAR away from cheap human labour like Texas and California). I always suggest $2-$4/sf 'budget' for subfloor prep regardless of wood or tile. Wood cost more to PURCHASE ($10/sf is common) whereas the INSTALLATION labour is much lower ($3/sf is common). The subfloor prep will add to that cost. Installing over two different substrates means you need glue down install OR floating floor install (now you are working with engineered hardwood). Sigh...this is why carpet and laminate are so common.