Building Phase
Communicating Your Ideas And Receiving Bids
When you are trying to figure out if a project is even worth doing -- or budgeting -- then making a plan for presenting the information to contractors is a great first step. See the checklist below for the information you will need to have handy when discussing this project with a professional
Checklist for Getting a Quote from a Professional
- A photo of the space
- An inspo photo for how you'd like the space to look
- An inspo photo or drawing that shows the dimension of the mirror tile and look itself
- Information about other construction going on in the location
- The location of the space being worked on in your home (first floor, etc)
- The type of wall (stucco, drywall, etc)
- Overall size of the space
- Size of each individual tile
Installation Considerations: DIY Vs. Professional
| Criteria | Professional Installation | DIY Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher - Professional fees and material markup | Lower - Only material costs and tools |
| Timing | Faster - With scheduling and experience | Slower - Due to lack of experience and possible errors |
| Difficulty of Installation | Low - Experts handle the process | High - Requires skill, precision, and tools |
| Quality of Finish | High - Professional quality and finish | Variable - Depends on skill level |
| Warranty | Usually provided by professionals | None - Responsible for any fixes yourself |
| Customization | High - Experts can handle custom requests | Limited - Dependent on personal skill |
| Experience Required | None - Handled by professionals | High - Need to learn and practice |
| Stress Level | Low - Managed by professionals | High - Managing the project yourself |
Professional Installation Costs
| Factors | Effect on Project Cost |
|---|---|
| Irregular shaped or large mirror tiles | Increases cost |
| Antiqued mirror | Increases cost |
| Complex shapes or tile patterns | Increases cost |
| Fitting the tiles into an enclosed space (like a backsplash) | Increases cost |
| Cut outs for notches, outlets, or any other fabrication | Increases cost |
| Installing on a surface that needs to be prepped before mirror tiles can be mounted to it (like brick) | Increases cost |