Bonded

In order for a company to acquire a license in Arizona, one of the demands by the ROC (Registrar of Contractors) is that the company MUST have a bond and that bond must always be current. If the company is licensed to do commercial work, as well as residential work, then TWO bonds are required.

The purpose of the bond, I was told by the agent of the bonding company, is to assure that the SUPPLIER will be paid. If the consumer pays the contractor for the materials, and if the contractor defaults in paying for the materials (as may be the case should the materials be bought "on account" and the Contractor "skips town" or "goes under") then at least the supplier would be compensated for the goods sold up to the amount of the bond.

This would be different than the Recovery Fund, which is a fund set up by the ROC so that when a job is deemed unacceptable to the consumer and then the ROC as well, AND the Contractor either is unwilling or unable to bring the job up to industry standards, the Recovery Fund is intended to compensate the consumer.

Residential Licensing

Contracting is when a price is quoted and agreed upon by both parties for any type of service. As opposed to the indefinite option of working for an hourly wage. In Arizona whenever tile or likened materials are installed in a residence where the cost of the materials AND labor exceed $999 and the price is negotiated before hand, the State requires that the Contractor be "licensed". In addition, the law suggests that if the installation is part of an overall project where the cost is $1000 or more, then a license is required by any and all participants in that project unless the worker is working for a licensed contractor and being payed an hourly wage.

What that suggests is that BY ARIZONA STATE LAW, if anyone gives a bid for any installation, where the material and labor TOGETHER are $1000 or more, the person MUST be licensed. If the material by itself is $999 and the installer suggests he will do the job for $1, he MUST be licensed. If the $10 tile repair is part of a bigger project that exceeds $1000 and a firm price is negotiated, the installer must be licensed.

And even if the worker who works for a licensed contractor has negotiated an agreed upon price for the installation, THAT TOO, requires a license! As that is contracting to a contractor!

Only a project, where the materials AND labor (regardless of who buys the materials) are less than $1000 together, and the work done in the residence is singular and not part of a bigger project, can that work be negotiated legally by an UNLICENSED contractor, who is then classified as a "handyman".

Back again

For some reason I have not put the amount of interest in this blog that I should have. My intention is to change that. It won't have the frequency of change as the quotes. They are easier to find and pass on. As I've always been especially keen on people, I've also been very impressed when people make clever and witty remarks. Therefore the sense of the other blog.

But now I am going to put more effort into my Experience. I've been doing tile work for almost 40 years and I still enjoy doing it. The intent of this blog is not to teach anyone how to do the work, but to educate the consumer regarding the important aspects about tile and related products. Things that I often point out when I am bidding projects.

Of course, these are all MY opinions. But typically opinions formed by EXPERIENCE. Not pablum fed but things I have come to know over time. I hope you will find them useful!

Also previously I had discouraged comments because I felt I hadn't the time to comment on the comments. But if you have a constructive opinion to what I had offered, be free to add your opinions. The intent of the blog is to educate the consumer. My opinions are only that, I may be off-base at times.

Travertine

Travertine is still in vogue (though I have heard that designers are beginning to shy away from it.) It is harder to install because it has square cut edges typically. Unless it is the travertine with chiseled edges.

In order to look correct installed, it should be installed level. Tile often has cushioned edges that allow a certain amount of latitude as it conforms to the unevenness of a sub-floor.

And the flat bottom of travertine requires more care in the installation whereas a tile has a stamped bottom or ridges, etc. that can offset the combing of the adhesive somewhat. Plus travertine, like other stones, must be cut on a wet-saw where many tiles can be cut on a cutting board. And it is softer so sometimes will break even in the handling or cutting. Adding to more time and care.

So the extra demands of the product are what causes the installation prices for it to be greater than a conventional tile, as one would expect. In addition, inside the home travertine needs to be sealed and re-sealed to maintain its appearance. It is a product not usually purchased by the poor or frugal.