15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tiler (Don’t Get Ripped Off) SA

📋 The complete interview guide to finding a trustworthy, skilled tiling professional

You’ve found a few tilers. Their quotes seem reasonable. Their online reviews look good. But how do you really know who to trust? I’ve seen too many homeowners across Gauteng, Johannesburg, and Pretoria hire the wrong person because they didn’t ask the right questions to ask tiler candidates.

The difference between a professional and a cowboy often comes down to how they answer a few key questions. A professional tiling contractor welcomes questions. They have clear answers about insurance, warranties, and their process. A cowboy gets defensive or gives vague responses.

In this complete guide to hiring a tiler, I’ll share 15 essential tiler interview questions that will help you separate the pros from the amateurs. You’ll learn what answers to look for, what red flags to watch for, and how to use this tiler checklist to make a confident hiring decision. By the end, you’ll know exactly what questions should i ask a tiler before hiring to protect yourself and your investment.

For more hiring guidance, check out our guides on how to choose a professional tiler, find a reliable tiler near you, tiling quotes guide, tiling warranty guide, and free tiling quote.

⚠️ Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Before diving into specific tiler interview questions, understand why this step is critical:

What Happens When You Don’t Ask Questions:

• You hire based on price alone – often the cheapest is cheapest for a reason
• You discover too late they have no insurance – you’re liable for accidents
• You assume they know proper waterproofing – but they don’t, leading to leaks
• You expect a warranty – but they offer none
• You end up with poor workmanship – and no recourse

What Asking Questions Accomplishes:

• Reveals their experience level and expertise
• Identifies red flags before you commit
• Establishes clear expectations from the start
• Protects you legally and financially
• Helps you compare tilers apples-to-apples

According to NHBRC (National Home Builders Registration Council), registered contractors must meet specific standards. Ask if your tiler is registered.

For more on avoiding scams, read our how to avoid contractor scams guide.

📅 Experience & Qualification Questions (Questions 1-4)

These questions to ask tiler candidates establish their background:

Question 1: “How many years of tiling experience do you have?”

What to look for: 5+ years minimum for complex projects. Less experience might be fine for simple backsplashes. Ask for specific experience with your tile type (porcelain, natural stone, mosaic).

Question 2: “Have you worked with [your specific tile type] before?”

What to look for: Porcelain requires wet saws and back-buttering. Natural stone needs white thinset and sealing. Mosaics need careful alignment. Make sure they’ve handled your tile type. Read our tile adhesives guide to understand requirements.

Question 3: “Can you show me photos of your recent tiling work?”

What to look for: Look for straight grout lines, clean cuts around outlets, even tile alignment, proper waterproofing details. Ask to see photos of projects similar to yours.

Question 4: “Do you have any formal qualifications or certifications?”

What to look for: While not mandatory, certifications show commitment to professionalism. Check with SAQA for recognised construction qualifications. NHBRC registration is also a positive sign.

🛡️ Insurance & Warranty Questions (Questions 5-7)

These tiler interview questions protect you financially:

Question 5: “Do you have public liability insurance?”

What to look for: A definite YES with proof. Ask for the certificate and call the insurer to verify. Minimum R1 million coverage recommended. Without insurance, you could be liable if they damage your property or get injured.

Question 6: “Do you offer a workmanship warranty?”

What to look for: Minimum 1-2 years on labour. Get warranty terms in writing. Read our tiling warranty guide for what to expect. A professional stands behind their work.

Question 7: “Are you registered with the NHBRC or any professional body?”

What to look for: Registration with NHBRC indicates commitment to quality standards. While not all good tilers are registered, it’s a positive sign of professionalism.

💰 Quote & Payment Questions (Questions 8-10)

These questions to ask tiler candidates prevent financial surprises:

Question 8: “Can you provide a detailed written quote?”

What to look for: A definitive YES. Verbal estimates are not acceptable. The quote should include labour, materials, preparation, waterproofing, waste removal, timeline, and payment schedule. Read our tiling quotes guide for details.

Question 9: “What is your payment schedule?”

What to look for: Typical is 10-30% deposit, progress payments, final payment on completion. NEVER pay 100% upfront. Avoid anyone demanding full payment before starting.

Question 10: “What happens if the project goes over budget or timeline?”

What to look for: A clear process for variations. Unexpected issues happen (e.g., uneven subfloor requiring levelling). Professional tilers communicate changes before proceeding and get written approval.

🔧 Technical & Process Questions (Questions 11-13)

These tiler interview questions reveal their expertise:

Question 11: “How do you prepare the subfloor before tiling?”

What to look for: They should mention cleaning, repairing cracks, checking flatness, using primer, and applying self-levelling compound if needed. Read our floor leveling guide to understand proper preparation.

Question 12: “Do you use a tile leveling system for large format tiles?”

What to look for: For tiles 600x600mm and larger, YES – essential. Leveling systems eliminate lippage. Read our tile leveling systems guide. If they say “I don’t need one,” that’s a red flag.

Question 13: “How do you handle waterproofing in wet areas?”

What to look for: They should describe applying a waterproofing membrane to walls and floors before tiling. This is required by SANS standards for bathrooms and showers. Read our waterproofing guide.

📞 Reference & Communication Questions (Questions 14-15)

These final questions to ask tiler candidates verify their reputation:

Question 14: “Can you provide references from recent clients?”

What to look for: At least 3 references. Call them. Ask about punctuality, quality, communication, and whether they’d hire the tiler again. Read our how to choose the right contractor guide for reference-checking tips.

Question 15: “How do you handle communication during the project?”

What to look for: Regular updates, responsiveness to calls/messages, clear explanation of any issues that arise. A professional tiling contractor keeps you informed.

🚩 Red Flag Answers – What to Watch For

• “I don’t need insurance – I’m careful.” – Unacceptable. Accidents happen. No insurance = you’re liable.
• “No warranty – once it’s done, it’s done.” – Professional tilers stand behind their work.
• “I only work with cash.” – No paper trail, no accountability. Major red flag.
• “You don’t need a written contract – we trust each other.” – Always get everything in writing.
• “I don’t use leveling systems – I’ve been doing this for 20 years.” – Experience doesn’t overcome physics. Leveling systems are essential for large tiles.
• “Waterproofing is optional.” – ABSOLUTELY NOT. Required by law in wet areas.
• “I can’t provide references due to privacy.” – Professional tilers have happy clients willing to speak.
• Vague answers or inability to answer technical questions. – Indicates lack of knowledge.

Read our contractor scams guide for more warning signs.

✅ Green Flag Answers – Signs of a Professional

When hiring a tiler, look for these positive signs:

• Answers questions clearly and confidently. – Knows their trade.
• Provides insurance certificate without hesitation. – Professional and protected.
• Offers written warranty terms. – Stands behind their work.
• Provides detailed written quotes with clear scope. – Transparent and thorough.
• Explains subfloor preparation process. – Understands proper installation.
• Uses tile leveling systems for large tiles. – Uses modern, proven techniques.
• Describes proper waterproofing methods. – Compliant with SANS standards.
• Provides references readily and they speak highly. – Proven track record.
• Communicates promptly and professionally. – Respects your time.

Learn more about our contractor verification process and is ServiceLink SA legit.

📋 Printable Tiler Interview Checklist

Use this tiler checklist when interviewing candidates. Print it out and bring it to meetings:

🔍 How to Verify Their Answers

Don’t just ask – verify. Here’s how to confirm what questions should i ask a tiler before hiring answers:

Verify Insurance: Get the insurance certificate. Call the insurer using the phone number on their website (not the number on the certificate – could be fake). Confirm the policy is active and covers the work.

Verify Qualifications: Check with SAQA for recognised qualifications. Check NHBRC registration status online.

Verify References: Call all references. Ask specific questions: “Was the work completed on time?” “Did any issues arise? How were they handled?” “Would you hire them again?”

Verify Past Work: Ask to visit a recent job site (with the client’s permission). Look at the quality up close.

Check Online Reviews: Look at multiple platforms. Read both positive and negative reviews. Pay attention to how the tiler responds to criticism.

Read our dispute resolution procedure in case issues arise.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Tiler

✅ Final Thoughts: Ask First, Hire Second

The right questions to ask tiler candidates can save you thousands of rands and months of frustration. A professional tiling contractor welcomes questions – they have nothing to hide. A cowboy gets defensive or gives vague answers.

Use this guide and the printable checklist to interview every candidate. Verify their answers. Check insurance and references. Get everything in writing. And never, ever hire based on price alone.

Key takeaways for hiring a tiler:

• Ask all 15 questions – don’t skip any
• Watch for red flags – no insurance, no warranty, cash-only
• Verify everything – insurance, references, past work
• Get detailed written quotes and contracts
• Never pay 100% upfront
• Use our tiler checklist printable scorecard
• Hire through ServiceLink SA for verified, guaranteed work

Your next step: Ready to find a verified tiler? Get free quotes from trusted tiling contractors and use our checklist to interview them.

For more information about hiring a tiler, explore our related resources: how to choose a professional tiler, find a reliable tiler near you, tiling quotes guide, tiling warranty guide, and free tiling quote. Learn about our process on how we verify contractors, is ServiceLink SA legit, and avoiding contractor scams. Find tilers in your area: Gauteng, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sandton, Centurion, and Midrand. For related services, see our building construction and plumbing services guides.