The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) provides guidelines for the installation of tile showers. Here are the general steps involved in building a shower according to NTCA guidelines: 1. Planning: Determine the size and layout of the shower, including the location of the drain, water supply, and any built-in features such as niches or benches. 2. Substrate preparation: The substrate must be structurally sound, stable, and properly sloped to the drain. The substrate can be made of cement backer board, waterproof membranes, or other approved materials. 3. Waterproofing: A waterproofing membrane must be installed over the substrate and onto the walls of the shower. This can be done with a liquid-applied or sheet-applied membrane. 4. Shower pan installation: A pre-sloped shower pan or a mud bed with a liner must be installed to direct water to the drain. The pan should be installed before the walls. 5. Wall tile installation: Wall tiles can be installed directly over the waterproofing membrane or cement backer board using a suitable adhesive. The tile should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the NTCA guidelines. 6. Grout and sealant installation: After the tiles are set, the joints between the tiles must be filled with grout. The grout should be allowed to dry, and then a sealant should be applied to the grout and any exposed edges to prevent water infiltration. 7. Installation of accessories: Once the tile and grout are fully cured, any built-in accessories such as shelves, benches, or niches can be installed. It's important to note that these are general steps, and the specific process may vary depending on the materials and techniques used. It's always best to consult with a professional contractor who is familiar with the NTCA guidelines to ensure that your shower is built to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Interested in what everyone’s experience with offering benefits is. I see it as a big pull for new hires or being more attractive to a good employee with good values. Just wondering on the cost. I’m in Canada

It's interesting to see the sharp contrast between my ideal client type and the not so ideal ones. I recently went back to a GC I had down a lot of work with years ago. Over a year of working with them in the past, I basically priced myself out of getting any work from them. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Work has been slow through the beginning of the year, so I decided to give them a try again. I knew that my pricing would be way above their heads, so I came up with a reduced price that is still profitable for me. I priced the first project for them and they didn't hesitate to hire me. The project manager tells me he has a bunch of projects in that area and wants me to price them. I price the next two jobs for him, and he comes back with "your price is pretty high, I will have to keep these in house". A little digging gets me the answer for them accepting my first estimate. The project I was hired for doesn't have a budget. The rest of them are priced the same way they were years ago. Too low. These projects are all lake houses with property values over 1 million. As a side note, the tile subcontractor they use a lot has a tendency to screw up installs, causing them to have to be torn out and redone..... My solution? "Let me know when the next project with a realistic tile budget comes up and I will be happy to give an estimate."

What are your mark ups?

Looking to possibly expand to utilize subs for smaller projects as me and my guys stay on one job start-final payment. What Forms/Documents do I need to make the process as seamless as possible? TIA