Custom Tile Work
Tile Installation in Huntington Beach, CA
Mike Hardey began as a tile craftsman in 2005, and tile installation in Huntington Beach, CA, remains the heart of Hardey Builds. Showers, floors and stone walls are laid out and set by hand.
Signs Your Tile Needs Attention
Tile can last for decades when it is installed over the right base, and fail early when it is not. Many calls about tile installation in Huntington Beach, CA, start with a repair that turns out to be a base problem. Most homeowners first notice small problems that point to a bigger one underneath. Cracked or loose tiles, crumbling grout and dark stains around a shower floor often mean water is reaching places it should not.
How We Work
Our Tile Installation Process
Good tile work is mostly preparation. What you see at the end, the pattern and the grout lines, only lasts if the base under it is flat, solid and dry. Each tile job follows the same order, whether it is a small backsplash or a full shower.
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Plan the Layout
We measure the space and lay out the pattern before a single tile is set. The goal is centered designs, balanced cuts at each edge and grout lines that line up with fixtures and walls.
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Prepare the Base
Old tile and damaged backing come out. Floors are checked for flatness and stiffness, and walls get the right backer board for the location, so the new tile has a solid surface to bond to.
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Waterproof Wet Areas
Showers, tub walls and wet floors get a waterproofing layer under the tile. We pay close attention to corners, niches, benches and valve openings, where most leaks start.
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Set, Grout and Seal
Tiles are set with the right mortar for their size and material, then grouted, cleaned and sealed where the product needs it. We finish with caulk at changes of plane and walk the work with you.
Shower Tile Installation Built to Stay Dry
A shower is the hardest place in a house for tile, because water reaches it every day. Shower tile installation starts long before the first tile goes up. We build or repair the shower pan, set backer board, and apply a waterproofing layer that runs up the walls and over the curb.
Niches, benches and glass enclosure lines are planned with the layout, so the tile pattern frames them instead of ending in thin slivers. Large tiles on a shower floor need a proper slope to the drain, and smaller mosaics often handle that slope more easily. A linear drain along one wall lets larger tiles run across the floor with a single slope.
Tile is only one part of a shower project. When you also want a new tub, a walk in shower or a fresh vanity, our shower and tub remodeling service handles the full update, and a complete bathroom makeover is part of our remodeling work.
Tile Flooring Installation for Kitchens, Baths and Living Areas
Porcelain and ceramic tile hold up well to sand tracked in from the beach, pets and busy kitchens. Tile flooring installation depends on a flat, stiff subfloor. A slab with cracks or a wood floor that flexes can crack tile and grout, so we check both before choosing a tile size.
Large format tile gives a clean modern look with fewer grout lines. It also needs a flatter floor and careful mortar coverage to avoid lippage. Wood look plank tile works well in California rustic interiors, giving the warmth of wood with the durability of porcelain.
Transitions get planned too. We set tile height against neighboring hardwood, vinyl plank or carpet so the step between rooms is as small as possible. Our flooring installation work covers other floor types when tile is not the best fit.
Custom Tile Installation and Design Details
Custom tile installation is where an artisan hand matters most. Herringbone floors, stacked patterns, feature walls and fireplace surrounds all need exact layout and steady cuts. Mixing materials, such as stone with porcelain or a mosaic inlay in a field of larger tile, takes planning so the thicknesses meet cleanly.
Edges are details that set careful work apart. Metal trims, mitered corners and bullnose pieces each give a different look, and the right choice depends on the tile and the space. We help you pick an approach that suits the design and the way the room is used.
Natural stone has its own needs. Marble, travertine and slate vary from piece to piece, so we lay out and blend them before setting, then seal the surface to protect it from stains. Heavier stone may also need a stiffer floor or a thicker setting bed, which we plan for before ordering.
What Affects the Cost of Tile Installation in Huntington Beach, CA
Most of the price of tile installation in Huntington Beach, CA, comes from the size of the area and the amount of preparation it needs. Removing old tile, repairing a subfloor or building a new shower pan all add labor before any new tile goes down. A space that is already flat and sound costs less to tile.
The tile itself is the next factor. Porcelain, ceramic, glass and natural stone vary widely in price, and very large or very small tiles take longer to set. Complex patterns like herringbone, borders and inlays add cutting time, and niches, benches and curbs add detail work.
Waterproofing, trims and sealing are part of the total as well. We walk through each of these items during a complimentary first consultation, and financing through Wisetack is available for larger projects.
Since 2005
Why Choose Hardey Builds as Your Tile Contractor
A tile contractor in Huntington Beach should know what happens under the surface, and that is where Hardey Builds began. Mike Hardey founded the company in 2005 as a tile craftsman, setting stone and porcelain by hand, before growing it into full home building and remodeling. Over 20 years later, every tile installation in Huntington Beach, CA, is still finished to that artisan standard.
That background means we look at the whole assembly: framing, subfloor, backer board, waterproofing and finish. When something underneath is wrong, we fix it instead of covering it up. You get clear communication about what we find, what it means and how it affects the plan.
Every job is handled under California Contractor License #864044, with full project management, cleanup and a final walkthrough. A powder room backsplash receives the same care as a primary bath clad in stone.
Where We Work
Tile Work Across Orange County and Nearby Communities
Hardey Builds is based in Huntington Beach and handles tile installation in Huntington Beach, CA, and throughout Orange County. Coastal homes see sand and moisture, while inland homes often have older slabs and wood subfloors, and each condition shapes how we prepare the base.
Homeowners across the region bring us in as their Newport Beach home builder, Laguna Beach home builder, Irvine home builder and Los Alamitos home builder. Tile is one of many construction and remodeling services we offer, so a tile job can grow into a larger project with the same team.
You can reach us Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, which makes it easy to talk about tile choices after work or on a weekend. Samples or photos of stone you admire are a fine place to begin.
Tile Installation Questions
Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
(562) 257-8121Can new tile go over existing tile?
Sometimes, but it is rarely the best choice. Tiling over old tile adds height, which can cause problems at doors, cabinets and transitions. It also hides whatever is underneath, including loose tiles or water damage. We check the existing floor or wall first, and in most cases we recommend removing the old tile so the new work starts on a sound, flat base.
Why does shower grout turn dark or crack?
Grout that stays dark often means water is sitting behind the tile instead of draining away. Cracks can come from movement in the walls or floor, or from grout used where caulk belongs at corners. Regrouting may help for a while, but if the waterproofing has failed, the lasting fix is to remove the tile, repair the base and waterproof it properly.
Is large format tile a good choice for a small bathroom?
Large tiles can make a small bathroom feel bigger because there are fewer grout lines breaking up the floor. They do need a very flat surface and careful slope planning near a shower drain. In a small room, we look at the layout, the drain location and the floor condition before recommending a size, so the finished floor looks clean and drains correctly.
Do natural stone tiles need sealing?
Most natural stone, such as marble, travertine and limestone, is porous and should be sealed after installation. Sealing helps the surface resist stains from water, oils and cleaning products. Porcelain and most ceramic tiles do not need sealing, though some grouts do. We explain the care each material needs, so you know what to expect after the job is finished.
Can you match tile for a repair in an older home?
We can try. Matching older tile depends on finding the same size, color and finish, which is often difficult once a product is discontinued. When an exact match is not available, we look at options like pulling matching tile from a hidden area or designing a border that makes the change look intentional. We talk through each option with you first.
Private Consultation
Begin Your Tile Project With a Private Consultation
From a single feature wall to a primary bath clad in stone, lasting tile begins with a careful look at what lies beneath. Share the space and the finish you have in mind, and we will plan the layout with you in a complimentary first consultation. Call (562) 257-8121.