Correct

What the manufacturer suggest

Incorrect

What others (on ave.) suggest

The Good

The TilingMyWay story is about helping ceramic tile installation professionals understand both the opportunities and challenges of their current installation methods and business practices. Our vision for TilingMyWay is to enable installers with best possilbe technology, not for an average outcome, but for the best outcome available. Our goal is to help installers and their companies see new educational and financial opportunities that can make them and their work more successful that increases the value of the profession. Traditionally, seeking education and financial metrics for methods and their products often are highly inefficient due both to a lack of technology and transparency in a local markets. By providing clarity on installation techniques where tradespeople can compare assemblies and product options, contractors can lower their installation costs, minimize labor cost and increase margins for their installs on every job. These economic gains readjust opportunity cost in the favor of the professional and construction company on a continous basis. With over 1,000 product options on the market, installers are always learning. Which is where our focus starts with education first then on gain insights and enhance revenue opportunities enabled by technology.

Our vision is to simply help installers strengthen their own profession by offering technology tools for financial security that increase their incomes either by saved time or money. By creating more opportunities that add value to the trade, the overall well-being and prosperity of installation professionals will improve their confidence and their wallets. As a result, a healthier financially stronger profession will help ensure a more attractive long-term career choice for individuals and the trade to weather economic hardships from a loss of skilled workers, unemployment increase and competition among other trades for talent.

The Bad

The Ugly

The State of our Industry

For over two decades, contractors have faced increasing challenges. The number of installation products and methods has ballooned into the thousands, yet education remains scattered and incomplete. Construction disputes are clogging our courts as skilled workers leave the industry. All construction trades are vulnerable to economic headwinds, but flooring installers and tile/stone setters earn a median income of just $47,890 according to 2022 BLS and a ranking of 15th among 19 trades. High inflation and interest rates further squeeze earnings and employment at a time when living costs are soaring.

In searching for solutions, TilingMyWay uncovered a concerning divide within our industry. Large technology companies like Google and YouTube spread misinformation without accountability, while our consumers and experienced 1-30+ year trade professionals receive little support navigating the digital realm. Our research revealed troubling issues. Consumers will have complications selecting products and following instructions, leading to increased errors and financial losses. Two key findings demonstrated this:

First, we surveyed the three largest home improvement/flooring retailers in the USA, asking them basic questions about selecting products to buy for backer boards a core material. Shown in "The Bad" chart, are the recorded success rates given their answers. Second, per "The Ugly" chart, these answer estimate that error and failure rates for such installations against manufacturer data sheets.

The primary culprits? Search engines and video platforms like YouTube that conflate opinions and entertainment with facts, leaving consumers without reliable guidance for their installation questions and product selection. Our survey results, coming soon, provide further evidence of this problem and the urgent need for validated educational resources for consumers and tradespeople working in today's digital landscape. Installers deserve support that empowers their success.

Survey Report Summary!