The Truth About Cheap Tile Installation: A Real Case Study from Montreal

What looks like a good deal at the beginning can quietly turn into one of the most expensive mistakes in your renovation.

When planning a tile renovation, one of the first things most homeowners compare is price. And it makes sense.

But what many don’t realize is that in tile installation, the cheapest option is often the most expensive one, just not immediately.

In this case study, we’re sharing a real project in Montreal where a client initially chose a lower-cost installation… and what happened next.

The Situation — A “Good Deal” That Seemed Too Good to Pass Up

The client had recently purchased a condo and wanted to renovate the bathroom floor.

They received multiple quotes, and one stood out, significantly lower than the others.

The timeline was fast.

The price was attractive.

Everything seemed straightforward.

They moved forward.

What Went Wrong (And Why It Wasn’t Visible at First)

At first glance, the installation looked fine.

But within a few months, problems began to appear:

The tiles started to shift slightly under pressure.

Some areas sounded hollow when walked on.

Hairline cracks began forming across multiple tiles.

Eventually, moisture issues developed beneath the surface.

The root of the problem wasn’t the tile itself.

It was everything that happened before it was installed.

What We Found When We Opened the Floor

When we were called to assess the situation, we had to remove sections of the floor to understand what was happening.

Here’s what we found:

The surface had not been properly leveled.

There was insufficient bonding between the tile and the base.

No proper waterproofing system had been installed.

In other words, the installation skipped critical steps that are not visible, but essential.

The Real Cost of “Saving Money”

What started as a cost-saving decision quickly turned into a full replacement project.

The client ended up paying for:

• removal of the existing tile

• correction of the subfloor

• proper waterproofing

• complete reinstallation

  
  

The total cost was significantly higher than if the project had been done correctly from the start.

Why This Happens So Often

This is not an isolated case.

We see this pattern regularly across many projects.

Lower-cost installations often reduce time and materials in areas that homeowners don’t see, but that directly affect durability.

Because these issues are hidden, they only become visible once damage has already begun.

What Should Have Been Done Differently

A successful tile project starts long before the first tile is placed.

It requires:

• proper surface preparation

• correct leveling

• appropriate materials for the space

• a complete waterproofing system where needed

  
  

These steps are not optional, they are what ensure the longevity of the installation.

The Key Takeaway

Tile is one of the most durable finishes you can install, when it’s done correctly.

But when shortcuts are taken, it becomes one of the most costly to fix.

The difference is not in the tile.

It’s in the execution.

Planning a tile renovation in Montreal?

At Céramique Costa, we focus on doing the job right from the foundation to the final detail, so you don’t have to redo it later.

Book your free consultation and avoid costly mistakes from the start.