From First Call
to Final Walkthrough
Every project follows the same disciplined process. No shortcuts. No surprises. Here's exactly what to expect when you work with Davy Tile & Marble.
Free In-Home Estimate
No commitment, no pressure
Nivaldo visits your home in person — not an estimator, not a salesperson, the owner. He walks through the space with you, takes measurements, assesses the substrate condition, and listens to exactly what you want.
There's no charge for this visit. No obligation to book. This conversation exists to give you accurate information and honest advice.
- ✓Measure the exact square footage of all tile surfaces
- ✓Assess substrate condition and identify any prep work needed
- ✓Discuss tile options, patterns, and design direction
- ✓Answer every question you have about the process
Duration: 45–90 minutes
Written Estimate Within 48 Hours
Itemized, transparent pricing
Within 48 hours of the visit, you receive a detailed written estimate. Not a ballpark. Not a vague number. A line-by-line breakdown of labor, materials (if we're sourcing them), substrate prep, waterproofing, and any other work required.
We want you to understand exactly what you're paying for. No hidden charges appear on project day.
- ✓Line-item breakdown of all labor costs
- ✓Estimated materials cost if we're sourcing tile
- ✓Timeline from start to project completion
- ✓Payment schedule and terms
Duration: Delivered within 48 hours
Tile Selection & Finalization
We help you make the right choice
Once you decide to move forward, we help you finalize tile selection if you haven't already. We can advise on material choices for your specific application, suggest grout color combinations, recommend layout patterns, and coordinate with tile suppliers in Sarasota and Bradenton.
If you've already chosen your tile, we review the specification to confirm it's appropriate for the installation method and substrate.
- ✓Advise on tile type suitability for each surface
- ✓Recommend grout colors and joint width
- ✓Calculate exact tile quantities including waste factor
- ✓Coordinate delivery timing if needed
Duration: 1–5 days depending on selection
Site Prep & Protection
Your home treated with respect
Before any tile is touched, we prepare the workspace. This means protecting your floors, furniture, and cabinetry, establishing a clean work perimeter, and assessing the substrate one final time with everything cleared.
If demo is required, we remove existing tile, thinset, and damaged substrate material, and dispose of everything cleanly. We don't leave debris behind.
- ✓Full protection of adjacent floors and surfaces
- ✓Demolition of existing tile and substrate if needed
- ✓Substrate repair — patching, leveling, waterproofing
- ✓Backer board or membrane installation as required
Duration: 0.5–2 days depending on scope
Tile Installation
The work you hired us for
This is where every hour of preparation pays off. We set tile using the correct thinset for your tile type and substrate, maintain consistent joint width throughout, and work in planned sections to ensure continuous, aligned results.
Nivaldo is present on the job site throughout installation. Not supervising from a distance. On the floor, setting tile.
Large-format work uses full back-buttering and leveling systems. Wet areas get proper waterproofing beneath every surface. Cuts are made with precision equipment — no chipped edges, no rough transitions.
- ✓Full back-buttering on all large-format tile
- ✓Leveling clip system on 12"+ tiles
- ✓Consistent joint spacing maintained throughout
- ✓Precision cutting around fixtures, outlets, and transitions
Duration: 1–7 days depending on project size
Grouting, Sealing & Detail Work
Every finish line matters
Grout is applied after the thinset cures fully — rushing this step is where many installations fail. We mix grout to a consistent color throughout, apply it carefully, and clean the tile surface thoroughly before it hazes.
Where applicable (natural stone, unsealed grout), we apply penetrating sealer. Caulk is used at all movement joints — transitions between floor and wall, around fixtures, at corners. These are the details that determine whether the installation holds up for 10 years or 30.
- ✓Full cure time observed before grouting
- ✓Uniform grout application and color consistency
- ✓Penetrating sealer on natural stone and porous grout
- ✓Caulk at all movement joints and transitions
Duration: 1–2 days
Final Walkthrough
You inspect, we address
Before we leave, we walk through every surface with you. We check grout lines, edge conditions, alignment, and surface cleanliness. If anything doesn't meet your expectations, we address it on the spot.
You don't sign off until you're satisfied. That's the standard we hold ourselves to, and the reason most of our clients are referrals from people whose homes we've already worked in.
- ✓Complete surface inspection with client present
- ✓Immediate correction of any items not meeting standard
- ✓Care and maintenance instructions for your specific tile
- ✓Warranty information and follow-up contact
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Why This Process Matters
Every step in this process exists because shortcuts at that step cause problems later. Skipped waterproofing causes mold. Rushed grouting causes cracking. Vague estimates cause disputes. We've built our reputation on doing each step correctly, every time.