09 - Finishes
Tile & terrazzo bid estimating, without the grind.
The tile number is set less by the SF than by the TCNA method, the setting bed, and the waterproofing/crack-isolation membrane in wet areas. Drop in your package and get back a cited first-pass: tile by type/format under the TCNA method, movement joints, the membrane flag that protects the warranty, and the RFIs that keep a tile bid from losing on the details.
✓ PE-reviewable✓ Cited to source✓ Your tile & terrazzo workflow
✓
REVIEWED
REVIEWED
Substrate prep + backer board / mud bedmeasure SF (by tile type + setting method)— cite
Waterproofing / crack-isolation membrane (ANSI A118.10/.12)measure SF— cite
Floor tile (by type/format/pattern)measure SF (by tile type + setting method)— cite
Wall tile / wainscot / full-heightmeasure SF (by tile type + setting method)— cite
Terrazzo (epoxy / cementitious) — pour, grind, sealmeasure SF (epoxy or cementitious)— cite
5
governing codes
9
line-item groups
6
units of measure
5
risk flags
What it surfaces for tile & terrazzo
Priced for the way tile & terrazzo is actually bid.
The engine reads your package and flags exactly what bites tile & terrazzo estimators — before it costs you.
Governing codes named: TCNA Handbook (Tile Council of North America install methods — the governing detail reference), ANSI A108/A118 (installation + material standards for ceramic tile), ANSI A137.1 (ceramic tile material spec), NTCA reference (workmanship + movement-joint guidance EJ171), NTMA (terrazzo standards).
Line-item groups your bid breaks into: substrate prep + backer board/mud bed; waterproofing/crack-isolation membrane (ANSI A118.10/.12); floor tile by type/format/pattern; wall tile/wainscot/full-height; terrazzo pour/grind/seal; setting materials (thin-set vs. medium-bed vs. mud-set) + grout; movement/expansion joints (TCNA EJ171); trim, thresholds, transitions, Schluter profiles; sealing (natural stone) + final cleaning.
The tile risks ranked: waterproofing/crack-isolation (missing membrane in wet areas is a warranty + callback risk — confirm the method); substrate flatness for large-format (leveling adds cost); setting method (full mortar-bed vs. thin-set is a large labor/material difference); movement joints (TCNA EJ171 mandatory, routinely omitted — a cracking-liability gap); natural stone handling/color variation/breakage.
The RFIs drafted (verbatim): "Confirm the TCNA installation method (e.g. F125, W244) and setting bed — thin-set, medium-bed (large format), or full mud-set?" "Is waterproofing / crack-isolation membrane (ANSI A118.10/.12) required, and where (wet areas, exterior, over crack-prone slabs)?" "Movement/expansion joint layout (TCNA EJ171) and joint sealant — who lays it out?"
The trade's anatomy
Everything tile & terrazzo needs, structured.
Line-item groups
Substrate prep + backer board / mud bedWaterproofing / crack-isolation membrane (ANSI A118.10/.12)Floor tile (by type/format/pattern)Wall tile / wainscot / full-heightTerrazzo (epoxy / cementitious) — pour, grind, sealSetting materials (thin-set vs. medium-bed vs. mud-set) + groutMovement / expansion joints (TCNA EJ171)Trim, thresholds, transitions, Schluter profilesSealing (natural stone) + final cleaning
Governing codes
TCNA Handbook · Tile Council of North America install methods (the governing detail reference)ANSI A108 / A118 · installation + material standards for ceramic tile (mortars, grouts)ANSI A137.1 · ceramic tile material specNTCA reference · workmanship + movement-joint guidance (EJ171)NTMA · terrazzo (epoxy/cementitious) standards
Units of measure
wall / floor tile → SF (by tile type + setting method)terrazzo → SF (epoxy or cementitious)waterproofing / crack-isolation membrane → SFmovement / expansion joints → LFtrim / bullnose / thresholds / Schluter → LF / EAmud-set / mortar bed → SF
The risks that usually bite
Waterproofing / crack-isolationSubstrate flatness (large format)Setting method (mud-set)Movement jointsNatural stone handling
“"Tile's an SF bid; I set the tile and grout it."”
SF is the floor — the risk is the method and the membrane. The analysis pins the TCNA method and setting bed (thin-set vs. mud-set is a real labor/material swing), surfaces the waterproofing/crack-isolation requirement that protects the warranty in wet areas, and flags the TCNA EJ171 movement joints that are mandatory and routinely missed. So the tile bid holds its waterproofing and its warranty. Cited hands clean to review.
Run this on your own tile package.
30 minutes. Bring a real set — a large-format floor, a wet-area shower, or a terrazzo job — and watch the cited line items, the membrane/method flags, and the joint-layout RFIs on your actual drawings.