{"id":632,"date":"2019-10-23T12:15:49","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T16:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/?p=632"},"modified":"2023-07-18T09:06:21","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T13:06:21","slug":"business-case-eliminate-tile-bathroom-shower-remodeling-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/2019\/10\/business-case-eliminate-tile-bathroom-shower-remodeling-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Business Case to Eliminate Tile on Your Bathroom Remodeling Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ll warn you what I\u2019m going to say might be more politically charged than debating who you think should be the next President of the United States. Here it is:<\/p>

I think you should blow up, eliminate, get rid of, say sayonara to\u2026 tile in your bathroom remodeling jobs.<\/h3>

Right now, you\u2019re likely saying, this guy is nuts. Tile has been around for years. Its tried (even if, at times) it isn\u2019t true. It\u2019s a premium product you have to have. Designers and upscale homeowners LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tile. Just name me one Parade of Homes or Remodeling Show winning design which didn\u2019t have a tile shower or bathroom.<\/p>

And you know what? You\u2019d be right.<\/p>

However, dominant products and companies have a way of being \u2018displaced\u2019 along the way. Anyone remember \u2018bag phones?\u2019 How about \u20188 track or cassette tapes?\u2019 How about Toys-R-Us? Am I making myself seem old right now?<\/p>

Products change. People\u2019s needs change. Companies change. The demands (and availability of labor in construction) creates change. \u00a0<\/p>

I may be crazy (and my kids and wife will agree I resemble this remark), but I see \u2018times are a-changin\u2019 (as the Bob Dylan lyrics would proclaim) when it comes to tile in bathroom remodeling jobs.<\/p>

Sure, tile is still the \u2018800-lb. bathroom gorilla.\u2019 However, IMHO there are chinks in its armor. These chinks are making homeowners, building owners and short-term rental property owners take notice of alternative technologies in larger numbers.<\/p>

Do you wonder what these chinks are, and the business case I believe is at the \u2018tip of the bathroom remodeling\u2019 iceberg regarding the declining future use of tile? Then read on.<\/p>

I\u2019ll share 7 business reasons I believe remodeling contractors will be using less tile in showers, bathtubs and bathroom walls in the years to come. Will I be right about this bold prediction? Heck, nothing is certain except dying and paying taxes (unless you\u2019re a few politicians out there). However, I believe the \u2018times are a-changin.\u2019 I believe the contractors who are nimble enough to change with them will win.<\/p>

Let\u2019s check out these reasons. At the end, let me know if you think I\u2019m still inhaling too much \u2018wacky-tobaccy\u2019 from my college days, or whether I\u2019m on to something here. At a minimum, a good debate is fun (as viewers of CNN and Fox News can attest to). \u00a0<\/p>

Reason #1 to eliminate tile on your bathroom remodeling jobs- You can\u2019t find good subs. <\/strong><\/h2>

As you know the construction market tanked in 2008. Our industry lost talent which has not be replenished.<\/p>

Ask yourself, how much revenue could you crank out IF (and this is a big IF) you weren\u2019t hampered by schedules which drag out too long because you can\u2019t find subs to get in and do the job? As a matter of fact, I talked to a homeowner yesterday who said there are a number of contractors in her town which are scheduling 2 YEARS OUT! Can you say, ouch?<\/p>

Labor is a problem. Labor will be a problem. It\u2019s not going away (unless we start convincing high school students going into \u2018the trades\u2019 is as smart as going to college (a debate for another day).<\/h3>

If you want your sales to grow you need products which give you the look of tile and doesn\u2019t take as much time and expertise to install. Fortunately, these solutions (by necessity) are cropping up. Check out these laminate wall panels<\/a> for example.

\"\"<\/a>
\"Tongue<\/a><\/p>

Don\u2019t be caught in-search-of \u2018needle-in-a-haystack\u2019 tile subs. Start using stylish wall panels<\/a> which take 1\/5 of the time to install (without the training required of an effective tile crew). The bonus is these panels can be put up by your carpentry crew if you\u2019d like. \u00a0<\/p>

Reason #2 to eliminate tile on your bathroom remodeling jobs\u2013 Your customer says you\u2019re too expensive <\/strong><\/h2>

There are so many cool designs you can do with tile. This is a powerful force in its popularity.<\/p>

However, tile is time consuming (see reason 1) and as you know, you need to earn a fair margin on these labor hours, otherwise you\u2019ll be out of business! When your tile designs are more intricate than your competitors, or they use cheaper \u2018behind-the-wall\u2019 systems (not the waterproof wall backer boards and specialized grouts you insist on for a quality project), you can lose work due to higher prices.<\/p>