How to Compare Tile Installation Quotes in Montreal (What aSerious Estimate Should Include)

You call three tile installers for the same bathroom, and you get back three numbers that don't even look like they're for the same project — one is $2,400, another is $4,800, and a third doesn't respond with a number at all until they've seen the space in person. This is normal, and it's also exactly why comparing tile quotes on price alone is a mistake. A quote is only as useful as what's actually itemized in it. Here's what a serious estimate should include, and how to read between the lines of one that isn't.

Why “The Same Job” Can Produce Wildly Different Numbers

The $2,400 quote and the $4,800 quote might both say “bathroom floor and shower, 60 square feet.” But one may include full subfloor leveling and a proper waterproofing membrane, and the other may just be tile, thinset, and grout laid directly over what's already there. They're not the same job — they just look identical on a one-line estimate. This is the single biggest reason low quotes and high quotes coexist in the same market, and it's rarely about one contractor overcharging.

What a Serious Quote Should Actually Include

• Material specifications: brand, product line, tile size, and finish — not just “porcelain tile,” which could mean a $2/sq ft product or a $15/sq ft product.

• Labor cost, broken out separately from materials: so you can see what you're actually paying for craftsmanship.

• Subfloor preparation: whether moisture testing, leveling compound, or cement board is included, and at what cost if it turns out to be needed.

• Waterproofing: which membrane system is used in wet areas, and whether it's included or an add-on.

• Demolition and disposal: removal of existing flooring and where the debris goes.

• A written timeline: with a start date and expected completion window.

• A payment schedule: tied to project milestones, not a large deposit paid upfront with nothing delivered.

• Warranty terms on labor: separate from the manufacturer's material warranty.

• Proof of RBQ license and liability insurance

Red Flags to Watch For

A quote that's a single number with no breakdown is the biggest one. So is a quote that requires 50% or more upfront before any work has started, one with no mention of a contract, or one where “subfloor prep” is a vague line item with no explanation of what happens if the subfloor turns out to need more work once demolition starts. If a quote can't answer “what happens if you open up the floor and find a problem,” it's not really a quote — it's a guess.

How to Compare Two Quotes Side by Side

Line up the material specs first — are they actually quoting the same tile? Then compare what's included in labor: subfloor prep, waterproofing, and disposal should each be visible as their own item, not buried in a lump sum. A quote that's $1,000 higher but includes proper subfloor leveling and a real waterproofing membrane isn't more expensive — it's the same job as the cheaper one, done correctly, with the corners not cut. The lowest number on paper is often the most expensive project by the time it's redone in three years.

A serious quote should read like a plan, not a guess. If you're currently collecting quotes for a kitchen, bathroom, or commercial tile project in Montreal, we're happy to walk you through exactly what ours includes — and to explain, line by line, why another quote might look cheaper on paper. Book a consultation with Ceramique Costa and bring your other quotes with you.