The value of continuing education cannot be overstated. Learning new skills through continuing education is key to increasing your marketability, and will have a major benefit for your income. Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days with NTCA Trainer Randy Fleming at a Floor & Decor-sponsored training event. I witnessed firsthand the skillfully-presented material, and how much the audience benefited from the workshop presentation. Whether you want to learn about new products or acquire new skills, there are ways that you can use continuing education to your advantage. You can truly take advantage of advanced learning to ensure that you are using industry-accepted methods and standards. Our trainers have spent many years installing tile and have firsthand experience of the mistakes that you may make in your day-to-day business practices. Our expert trainers are there to help and guide you through the ever-challenging installation process. As the industry grows with the introduction of new products, materials, and methods, the risk that your installations will fail increases if you do not keep to date with industry practices.

Knowing the specifications for the products and materials that you use in installations is key to producing a high-quality installation. That is exactly why it is important to attend methods-based workshops. For example, at the workshop presented by Randy Fleming, he gave a comprehensive and highly-informative demonstration about how to select a trowel based on tile size, and explained how and at what angle the trowel should be held to get optimal thin-set mortar coverage and contact. When installers participate in these types of workshops they are not only increasing their knowledge and skills, but are also producing a high-quality product for their clients.

To learn more about training opportunities sponsored by the NTCA, please visit our website at www.tile-assn.com to find the calendar of upcoming training events. NTCA-sponsored events are available to both members and non-members, and offer a great introduction to learn more about what NTCA could offer you both in your business and to your employees.

I hope to see you in 2022 at a workshop so that you can gain the new knowledge and solidify yourself in the industry as a tile professional.

Happy holidays to everyone!

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

In this month’s TileLetter, our Editor Lesley Goddin is focusing on mud walls, and I thought this would be a good subject to expand on in my President’s letter.

In my tile business, clients often ask me if I install tile on a mortar bed. In California the application of a mortar bed is a common practice because earthquake activity may shift a structure so that the floors and walls are no longer plumb or level. Thus, these surfaces will require preparation to provide a sound, flat and level surface.

For those who are unfamiliar with the application of mortar beds, you may ask when it is appropriate to use a mortar bed instead of a cement backer board or backer board system. My decision to use the mortar bed method is based on a number of considerations. For example, I assess whether excessive unevenness in the substrate is present, whether there is a need to incorporate a slope in a shower floor, and the type of tile being used in the installation.

If an installation requires the use of a mortar bed, it is important to ensure that the installer has been adequately trained and is competent to use this installation method. The tile installer may acquire this skill through on-the-job training or specialized courses offered by manufacturers. A few years ago, LATICRETE hosted a workshop on the use of mortar beds, which sparked interest in using this installation method. The Facebook group MUD was formed shortly after, which is a great way to get acquainted with this installation method and meet tile installers with knowledge and experience in this area. Mario “Tile Guy” Garcia is an influencer on this subject, and he recently hosted a Mud event in Idaho Falls that brought the tile community together from all over the country, providing education and training. These events and groups are essential to ensure that tile installers are knowledgeable and that their installations meet industry standards and best practices for mortar bed installations.

Once the installer has received training and acquired skills in using this method, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), through its advanced certification programs, offers certification in both mortar bed floors and walls. Having this certification can help qualify your business to perform this kind of work.

I hope you seek out and become familiar with mortar bed installation methods, which are described in the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation. The Handbook is provided as an NTCA member benefit. Installers who have adopted and perfected this method will tell you how rewarding it is to see a perfectly-sculptured substrate that is tile ready and perfectly true, plumb and square. Once you have learned the mortar bed technique and honed your skills, you will have the confidence to take on the most demanding installations that require a more precise level of expertise.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

Recently, I received a call from a manufacturer of an electric floor warming system asking how many of these types of systems we install. The manufacturer’s intent was to gather information about the use of this system in my territory and to promote their product. 

When I work with this product, it is because it was included in the architect’s or designer’s specifications. These products are usually included in projects because some clients want the latest technologies installed for their projects, and at other times general contractors, architects, or designers recommend the use of cutting-edge materials. However, often these products are overlooked by specifiers because they don’t realize that including these items in their installations can add real value to the quality of the completed project.

It may be as simple as replacing the drain body. For example, the use of an adjustable drain body or a bonding flange instead of an easy-test floor shower body not only looks more attractive, but can also reduce the shower curb height, which increases the comfort of the use of the shower for the client.

Tile contractors – as well as  general contractors, architects, and designers – can play an important role in promoting the use of new and innovative products that can enhance the comfort and function of installations. Besides the value of these options for the client, promoting the use of new products can also be financially beneficial to the tile contractor.

Developing relationships with sales representatives and product manufacturers with proven track records for reliability can create new business opportunities for the tile contractor. Trade shows, training events, and your local tile store can provide opportunities to meet sales representatives and learn about new materials and installation products.

Tile contractors have the opportunity to educate clients about the value of using new and innovative products in their projects. In addition to the added value of using these new options for the client, the tile contractor can enhance their bottom line by marking up the cost of the item as well as the related costs for the installation of these products to the overall project costs.

Being involved with your local manufacturing representative and distributor can elevate you above your competitors by being knowledgeable about new materials and products, giving you the confidence not only to upsell but to understand product value and performance characteristics.

Our industry is blessed with entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas that can help you save time and money. Our field is forever evolving, and it is important we keep up with these changes.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

I often come across discussions on social media platforms about the need to host a website to promote your business. It is always an interesting read and usually opinions are split among those who have and those who do not have a website. I've had a web presence for many years and have not used it to its full potential. I have also advertised my business in the Yellow Pages but stopped using this business directory because of its limited ability to promote my business. Even those who are established need a website to legitimize their business. I cannot think of a better way to spotlight your work to increase your visibility, plus it gives customers confidence that you're a capable, legitimate business.

If you are unsure about whether you should host a website to promote your business, think about all the potential customers who may have heard about the high quality of your work and satisfied customers but were unable to locate your business because you did not have a presence on the web. This is a missed opportunity that could result in a potential loss of more profitable work because consumers could not find your business and qualify it.

Many tile contractors do not have a business website or social media presence to showcase their beautiful work. Being virtually invisible puts you at a disadvantage. Using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter can work alongside your webpage keeping your current and potential customers aware of the current trends and methods about how to install tile using best practices.

Having your website optimized for mobile devices is also important so the potential customer can have a more favorable browsing experience. Adding real photos of your work or even links to designers you work with who have showcased your work can give others a look inside your business and the type of work you excel at. Having contact information clearly identified will make it easier for the customer to reach you. An intuitive website that is easy to navigate will get the customer to you faster.

I recently took the initiative to update my website to modernize it and give it a more professional appearance. The need to do so was quite clear, because a couple of recent customers made comments about the challenges they experienced in navigating my site.

While listening to a Tile Money podcast hosted by Luke Miller, I learned that one of the sponsors was happytileguy.com, a website development service. I like to support those who support our industry, so I reached out to Grant Kantsios at happytileguy.com and realized that I found the right guy who understood our industry and marketplace and had already developed websites for many tile companies. He had what I was looking for. Within a few days he had a new website designed and ready to go live. The transition was smooth and now I feel more confident about directing present and potential customers to my website.

In this competitive marketplace, it is important to have an online presence. I hope that you will recognize the benefits of increasing your visibility using this digital resource.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

As I write this month’s President’s Letter, I am hopeful that the COVID pandemic will be under control in the coming months. The pandemic has impacted so many areas of our lives, including our ability to gather with friends and colleagues. Therefore, I was thrilled to hear the news that The International Surface Event (TISE) will take place in-person in Las Vegas starting on June 16 through June 18, 2021. TISE will be the first important show since the last one was held over a year ago in January 2020. This event offers the opportunity for professionals working in our industry to learn about new products, gain design inspiration and expand their professional network. The conference also provides attendees the opportunity to hone their technical skills by participating in live demonstrations, workshops, and presentations. Another benefit of attending this conference is the opportunity to participate in many social events that are sponsored by the conference.

In addition to TISE, our industry is fortunate to sponsor two trade shows – Coverings and Total Solutions Plus – that offer training events, exhibitions and opportunities to connect with suppliers from around the globe. Advances in tile design offer both homeowners and owners of commercial properties many options for their construction projects. These trade shows not only give attendees access to new products, but also to information about their uses and installation requirements. Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments and new technologies in our field will allow you to chart a course for your business to be competitive. Therefore, attending trade shows should be part of your yearly planning and budgeting business costs. This is money well spent, and I cannot wait to get back into the mix of being involved in the industry on a personal level.

Although virtual business meetings allow us to carry on with our work, there is no replacement for face-to-face communication. It will be my pleasure to meet in person with new and old friends at these conferences and I hope to see many of you there. Please consider attending these conferences in support of our industry.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

You may ask yourself, “What role do the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) play in the day-to-day operations of my business?”

These two groups support the development of standards for the professional installation of tile, stone, and allied products. The standards that are developed promote the safety and integrity of tile installations. Adhering to these standards and guidelines is critical for the work that we do as tile contractors. I have been fortunate to serve with these groups, which has allowed me the opportunity to work with colleagues to evaluate existing industry standards and develop new standards in response to advances in the design of new materials, methods, and practices.

Currently, we are in the process of bringing ANSI A108 up to date so that it will be more easily understood and help the contractor navigate the trade based on standards. ANSI A108 provides installation standards for the successful installation of ceramic, stone, and glass tile. Standards for the methods and techniques to be used on a specific project allow our work to be evaluated by well-defined criteria that apply evenly to all. While ANSI provides standards for tile installation, the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation provides detailed installation methods based on the ANSI A108 standard. Without these standards and guidelines for tile installation, we could not cite any information that would either hold a contractor legally responsible for  – or absolve them from – a failure that occurred on a project they had performed.

The professional tile installer should be familiar with the industry standards and best practices, and stay current with the latest materials and methods. It is also important to note that the standards outlined in the American National Standard Specification for the Installation of Ceramic Tile (ANSI A108. A118 and A136) are minimum standards. If you choose to install to minimum industry standards that is your choice, but remember the room for error is much smaller than if you greatly exceed the standard. As a residential contractor, the cost to exceed the minimum standard may only be a small percentage of the overall project and easily absorbed into the job cost; however, on a larger commercial project this could be the difference between winning or losing a project and making or losing money. Each one of us must decide which path we will take and calculate the risk in both performance and profit.

I hope that you will take time to become knowledgeable about our industry’s standards and best practices and recognize their importance in our day-to-day business practices. I would like to thank each one of you for your professionalism and dedication to the industry.

 Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

Recently, I came across a social media post by my friend Ron Nash, which offered a link to a YouTube video that simply said “Watch this; We are on track to relive the 1970s.” The video featured the Berkshire Hathaway leadership on the topic of inflation. It was an informative video with Warren Buffet discussing his concerns about rising building costs. The COVID pandemic has created a scarcity of some raw materials, which creates challenges for some businesses. Mr. Buffet discussed that small business owners are at risk if they do not adapt to changes in the economy.

You may have noticed an increase in the cost of building materials. These recent increases are likely due to a combination of factors including the supply chain in the petrochemical industry, which our industry relies on for the manufacture of some materials such as epoxy mortars, latex, and polymer additives.

We also use a wood byproduct in many of our thin-set additives. The additive methylcellulose is used as a performance additive, so we are not immune from the increases in timber prices. The COVID pandemic has also caused disruptions in the supply chain and manufacture of building products across the world. Many ports in the USA have cargo ships in the water that are unable to get offloaded as businesses replenish inventory and the demand from American consumers is still at unprecedented levels. Manufacturers who have downstream suppliers from different geographical locations and temperature-sensitive cargo may have consequences from these events as we move into the warmer months. These disruptions in manufacturing and logistics may last much longer in developing nations than in the U.S.A. because of the limited availability of COVID-19 vaccines in these parts of the world.

How can we protect ourselves from unforeseen costs? You may want to put a time limit on estimates that you provide to prospective clients for tile installation projects, limiting these to 30 days or whatever your comfort level may be. In addition, to protect yourself from price increases, you may want to invoice for materials early, and pre-order any materials as soon as possible to lock in prices. Contractors can also address risk by including price escalation clauses in their upstream contracts. You should always discuss the concern of material price escalation while in the negotiation stage with the owner. Be proactive in revising contract language to reflect this as soon as possible.

These are some things that you can do today to help protect your bottom line. These are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. I hope you can remain profitable by putting the appropriate measures in place.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

The tile industry is expected to continue expanding in 2021 as markets recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth in the industry provides an opportunity to expand our membership and to promote a more diverse construction workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, 10.3% of construction professionals were women, 6.4% Black/African American, 1.9% Asian, and 30.4% Hispanic or Latino. The underrepresentation of women and some racial/ethnic minority groups in the construction industry provides an opportunity to expand the tile construction workforce using more diverse hiring criteria.

Fostering the culture of a diverse workplace can be good for business by expanding the creativity and problem-solving skills among the workforce, which can result in increased productivity and profitability. Moreover, an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion can help to retain employees and build the company’s reputation with clients and the industry.

In May of 2020, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) launched a nationwide program to expand the diversity of the industry by making jobsites more inclusive. This new program will assist businesses by providing training and human resources practices designed to create more inclusive workplaces. The program is called CARE (Commit, Attract, Retain and Empower) and details can be found on their website: www.agc.org/news/2020/05/13/construction-association-launches-new-nationwide-program- expand-diversity-industry (or https:// bit.ly/2KfKHV5). Our association, like the AGC, is committed to promoting diversity among the tile construction workforce and leadership of the NTCA. Our association will look for opportunities to work with other organizations such as the AGC to advance our mission to create a more diverse and inclusive construction industry.

The NTCA publications are vehicles that we use to connect with our membership to communicate our mission, new developments in the industry, and showcase our artistic work. In this month’s issue of the TileLetter, Editor Lesley Goddin spotlights women who are rising stars in the tile industry. This is an ideal time for the industry to attract women to the NTCA, and we are proud these women represent our industry. We will continue to look for ways that we can support these leaders in our field.

I am confident that our industry will, over time – with your active involvement – become a thoroughly diverse and inclusive place, and in doing so it will alleviate the industry’s labor shortage, increase bottom lines, and have a positive impact on employees, communities, and shareholders. I look forward to working with you and the NTCA leadership in advancing our goal of having a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

Is your business protected in the event of a worst-case scenario? This is a question that you should ask yourself every time your insurance policy comes up for renewal. Your needs may change as your business grows.

My good friend Lindell Lummer adapted this quote by Aaron Levenstein, an author who was a professor of Business Administration at Baruch College: “Insurance is like a bikini; it costs a fortune and covers very little.”

Risk is something that you should always take into consideration when bidding a project and preparing a business contract. The type of construction project should be one consideration when determining what insurance coverage you may need. For example, condominium projects may require additional coverage because a standard policy may exclude these types of projects. It is important to check the exclusions on your current policy to make sure that you have adequate coverage prior to submitting your bid.

Another consideration is the potential legal risk related to a slip-fall incident that could occur months – if not years – after the project has been completed. As the installer, you may be included in future litigation, therefore, it is important to make sure your policy includes protections against this type of long-term liability. Your exposure may continue for much longer than the duration of the project so be sure you have course of construction and general liability insurance as well as completed operations insurance coverage.

In some instances, an owner-controlled insurance program (OCIP) – also known as a wrap up insurance or “wrap” – may be mandated and may be beneficial to subcontractors. Make sure to look for this language in the bid package and allow for the costs associated with the policy. OCIP was once included only in larger commercial projects but because of widespread litigation, it is now recognized as another way to reduce liability risk on smaller residential projects.

Finally, small and large companies alike are at high risk for cyber attacks like data breaches that can result in devastating damage. Businesses may have to deal with business disruptions, lost revenue, and litigation. Thus, protecting your business from cyber liability is an essential component to any risk management program.

Having a relationship with your insurance broker and regular conversations about your business and potential legal risks will help you to select the best policy to meet your business needs. If your business is growing and you are acquiring assets that could be jeopardized by litigation, having a policy reviewed on a yearly basis may be necessary.

One of the benefits of being a member of NTCA are the business relationships that have been developed over the years. NTCA members have preferred insurance rates that can be accessed through insurance partners such as the Schechner Lifson Corporation. Marc Rosenkrantz at Schechner Lifson Corporation is the liaison for NTCA members and a great resource for any members seeking to purchase an insurance policy. He can be reached at 973-766-3914 or marcr@slcinsure.com.

It is important to protect your livelihood and personal assets. Researching the different kinds of insurance policies is crucial to ensure a firewall in case of any litigation whether you are at fault or not. Educating yourself about your potential liability risks and insurance options is good business practice.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

I am always gratified to see beautiful tile projects posted online by our colleagues in the field. There are, without a doubt, many who do not get the recognition they deserve, and I encourage you to post on social media groups so others in our field can see and share in the beauty of the finished product. We have true artists among us who are extremely talented in producing tile work with astonishing results. Take a look at the tile gallery in this issue that showcases the exceptional work of fellow tile installers in honor of National Tile Day.

I have been fortunate to meet tile installers at trade shows and conferences and to have the opportunity to talk with them and understand their passion for this industry. Our industry is in a unique position to be able to showcase our work as compared with other industries. Thus, producing a high-quality product that is both functional and aesthetically appealing will allow people both within and outside the industry to appreciate our work for many years to come.

The industry has come a long way in such a short period of time in many areas, including the types of tile and material choices available. Advances in the design of new materials allow our craftspeople to install new tile types more efficiently and successfully. Thus, it is important to stay current with the latest developments, skills and new technologies in our field.

This is where NTCA plays an essential role in disseminating best practices in the industry through both in-person and online training programs. By participating in continuing education opportunities, not only will installers develop new skills, but building capacity and skills development has the potential to lead to a more profitable business.

Some of you may feel overwhelmed and that you cannot find the time to participate in training and education programs, but my opinion is that as business owners you cannot afford to ignore training as an integral part of your business practices. The information given at these events will make it worthwhile and give you the confidence in executing a perfect installation. Knowing that you have a skilled workforce when you are bidding a project will give you the confidence to work effectively with general contractors, design professionals or homeowners. Thus, having a well-trained and skilled workforce will set your business on the right path for success.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

This past year has been a challenging time for our country and for everyone in our industry. As we celebrate the new year, our thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or who has struggled with and recovered from the virus. I am hopeful that we will rebound as a nation and build a stronger future for ourselves and our industry.

This past year has raised the stakes for our industry like no other time in recent history. We have had to rapidly adjust our practices to create a safe working environment for our employees and clients. In addition to health and safety concerns, we have had to adjust to the current business climate. However, we have been fortunate in the construction industry to be deemed essential workers, which has kept the industry alive where others have not been as fortunate.

During these difficult times and beyond, our trade organization offers members services and products to help us manage our businesses and to become a part of a community dedicated to improving practices and standards in the industry. Serving as an NTCA Ambassador is one way to get actively involved with our association and further establish your credentials in the field. Since the start of the COVID epidemic in the United States, Ambassadors have been actively involved in virtual roundtable discussions, now known as NTCA Roundtables Live! These roundtable discussions cover a range of topics. Opportunities to further your knowledge and skills in the tile industry are available through our website (under the Education & Certification tab), and I encourage you to seek them out.

Another key opportunity to get involved with our association is at The International Surface Event. Normally, we would all be meeting at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the end of this month. But this year, due to the COVID pandemic, the show has been rescheduled to take place from June 15 through June 18. The opening day of the show offers many long-awaited, in-person educational opportunities. I am looking forward to attending the show in June, and to engaging in networking events with new and old friends.

I have been fortunate to serve as a volunteer for our trade association for the past 15 years. My volunteer work has enabled me to stay connected to my peers and reinforced my belief that I am part of an organization that is making a difference and is advancing our industry. This is one of the reasons why I joined the NTCA. I looked for something to enhance and better the business I was building, and it gave me a place to do that. I am thankful every day I took the time to make that phone call to inquire what our trade association could offer.

The check I write each year for my membership is money well spent. The training and education opportunities – even those I have enjoyed virtually – and group programs are beneficial to my business, and I hope to yours also. I ask that during these uncertain times you stay with us and understand what being part of NTCA really means, and the sense of community NTCA membership brings.

I wish you all a very prosperous 2021 and look forward to meeting you in person soon.

Martin Brookes
NTCA President
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

It is my honor to serve as the president of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). If we’ve never met, let me introduce myself: I am the owner and president of Heritage Marble & Tile Inc., in Northern California and have been working in the tile industry for over 40 years. I have had a long-standing commitment to improving tile installation industry standards and practices through my professional roles, and look forward to serving as your president for the next two years.

I have been a member of the NTCA for over 15 years and have contributed to our organization through serving on several committees. Currently, I serve on the NTCA Standards and Methods Committee and Technical Committee, and the American National Standards Institute A108 Committee. I am passionate about advancing the mission of our organization to develop and maintain industry standards, promote qualified labor, and meet the professional development needs of our membership.

In my new role as president, I will work with NTCA leadership to strengthen our organization by attracting and retaining talented contractors from all populations to expand our membership. By becoming a more diverse organization we will be well positioned to meet the business and practice needs of our members and the communities that they serve. We have a strong trade association that is revered by others, and there has never been a more important time than now to be a member of this association.

I am also strongly committed to expanding training and education programs to reach a wider audience. Given the fast-changing world of material technologies and growth among our partner manufacturing companies, it is critical to keep field technicians informed about best practices for the installation of materials that they use. I believe we have fellow contractors in the tile industry workforce that would benefit from the training opportunities, apprenticeship programs, insurance programs, retirement programs and other cost savings programs that would promote growth and make their businesses more profitable. I will work with NTCA leadership to tailor training programs that meet the current needs of our workforce. I am fortunate to inherit the gold standard in leadership from Bart Bettiga and Jim Olson, with whom I look forward to working closely during the next two years.

Our social media platform will take on a new look and we will embrace technology to communicate with our members and disseminate information about our activities via a digital platform to make it more accessible from mobile devices. Having a digital presence will ensure that we are effectively communicating with our membership and will give us a more visible digital presence on Facebook and YouTube.

In addition to these changes, in 2021, we are launching a new large-format bi-annual publication called TileLetter ARTISAN. This will focus on beauty – of precision tile setting, of craftmanship and artistry. It will celebrate these qualities, provide practical information for those who want to take their craft up a notch, and inspire others to get in on this highly creative aspect of the trade. The mission is to celebrate, inform and inspire – and also to connect today’s tile setters with the legacy of the craft through the ages. Look for it in April and October!

It is an exciting time to be part of this great trade association and I look forward to meeting you all in person at either a trade show or seminar.

Sincerely,

Martin G Brookes, President, National Tile Contractors Association
martin@heritagemarbletile.com

Do you remember the title of the December 2018 President’s Letter? There is no reason you would but it was also titled “Who’s next”? That was my first letter, this is my last. Next month, Mr. Martin Brookes of Heritage Marble & Tile Company in California will be entrusted to get these letters to Lesley Goddin on time. That my friends, is not as easy as it sounds. Thank you Lesley, for your patience and guidance along the way!

It is quite incredible to me that two years have passed. I am as optimistic now as I have ever been about the success of the association. That is because if I have learned anything, it is how blessed we are to have extremely caring and capable people in our association’s staff and leadership. The Executive Committee; 2nd Vice-President, 1st Vice-President, President, Chairman and Board Advisors (2) are not staff, simply stewards passing through while the hard work of maintaining, selling, growing, promoting, and training all appear to happen seamlessly from the outside in because of the NTCA staff. The details of making the sausage are actually quite complex. Too much so to spend time in detail here. Please, take the time when you can to personally thank each of the staff you may come in contact with and tell them how appreciated they are for their work and commitment to keep NTCA recognizable and strong.

You may not be aware that NTCA is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the strongest, most successful training and trade associations of its type. That does not occur by accident. I won’t name any one person because I have seen that it truly is a great team with a committed Executive Director.

Over the last two years, it has been my intention to focus on presenting issues or stories that are relatable to the professional craftsperson and installation professional, whether that was a single person, a member of a large team or big company or allied product or tile manufacturer. I presume that’s who would take the time to read the TileLetter or heed NTCA. A narrower slice still would be folks taking time from their day to read the President’s Letter. Thank you for the many kind words from people I know – and many I did not – who commented or indicated that they connected with something in those letters.

The themes have been simple. Continue to grow, continue to learn. Keep an open mind and do not presume that you know the best way to do anything. There is always a new and better mouse trap. Always do the best installation you can. Trust yourself once you know your strengths. Most importantly – YOU SHOULD GET PAID FOR THAT! You have hard-won knowledge and expertise that came at a price or perhaps from a painful sacrifice or mistake. You need to place high value on your expertise because no one knows you, your company, your staff, and your strengths better than you do. You must be your own best advocate. Sell your hard-won knowledge. Use all the tools available to you – the NTCA for starters, and industry installation and reference manuals. Develop relationships with good tile distributors and manufacturers’ representatives. Make sure they know your passion for the industry. Share your commitment to the craft and your specialty and strengths. This makes them your best advocate, and they may be an important reference or provide a recommendation for your next big opportunity.

I am looking forward to Martin Brookes’ President’s Letters. I have great respect for him and admire his thoughtful approach when presenting his point of view. I know him to be passionate, compassionate, and committed to his people and to the trade. His enthusiasm for the industry takes second place only to the caring he shows when talking about his family. He speaks with great enthusiasm about the opportunities in our industry and association. I am betting he will not be a passive NTCA President. Good luck Martin.

God bless all of you. May you and your families stay safe.

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

60+ years ago, the common installation materials used for tile consisted of two basic components – sand and cement. Tile installations 60+ years ago also consisted of two basic installation methods, mud-set and – wait for it – thicker mud-set!

Things are very different today. It would be difficult for one person to be aware of the multitude of different tile, tile installation products and installation methods available for use today. Even the thickset and scratch coat methods have been updated, modified, additive-enhanced and membrane-assisted. They bear little resemblance to the original versions that lasted for generations as successful setting and leveling beds for tile and stone. Multiple brands offer several levels of products with various performance characteristics developed to assure optimal performance and longevity for installations over problematic structures and substrates. As materials are developed and installation methods continue to evolve, the challenges facing installers, specifiers, consumers, and manufacturers are evolving as well.

No matter how you participate in the tile industry, it is likely that you are touched in some way by the industry’s technical and installation manuals. The ANSI manual, TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation and NTCA Reference Manual are intended to provide guidance and to establish performance requirements as well as give basic installation recommendations. Along with manufacturers’ installation instructions, they are resources to instruct users how to properly apply and integrate multilayer tile assemblies. In a worst-case scenario, if you have a failure or complaint, your liability may be determined by how well you followed the standards in the application of the finishes.

For the past few years, an initiative led by NTCA staff, volunteers and other industry professionals are working on revising the American National Standards Specification for the Installation for Ceramic Tile (ANSI A-108, A118, A136). The initiative intends to ensure that the ANSI document addresses the requirements of the evolving capabilities of new tile manufacturing, products and methods as well as ensuring the revised standard is capable of incorporating new materials or methods yet to be known or developed. As the complexity of tile assemblies grows, and the size of the tile modules explodes, the need for high-quality stable structures and substrates becomes critically important for any successful tile installation. It goes without saying that it is important these documents are current and address the application of “modern” construction, while not unfairly or unevenly exposing the consumer, user or installer.

Usually, the tile installation professional is directed to a substrate over which they will apply the tile. One proposed change to the ANSI document will likely be to move away from instructing other trades on how to correctly prepare their specific finish that precedes the application of tile. Other than referring to work as “Preparation by other Trades,” the Ceramic Tile Installation Specification may not be the best place to look for instruction on the preparation of the structure under where the tile is installed. If the tile contractor does not tell the concrete contractor how and where to install rebar in concrete, why does the ANSI A-108 Standard for the Installation for Ceramic Tile presume to be the place to instruct others how wall or floor structures should be constructed to meet applicable commercial or residential building codes? Who would presume that they should be checking the ANSI tile standard to confirm the type and quality of the joist in the wood floor, or the quality, gauge and placement of metal studs in the wall?

How does the tile contractor credibly check for deflection in the structure? We do not. We should only be concerned with our warranty/guarantee that we have properly prepared the surface to which we are applying the tile or the parts of a tile assembly. We cannot reasonably be expected to know how the structure will perform or how it was constructed. That is the job of the architect, owner or design professional. Some feel that including information detailing how to construct the structure in ANSI A-108 may in some ways obligate the tile installation professional to be knowledgeable or share responsibility for the quality and performance of a structure prepared by multiple preceding trades. Better to stick with what you know.

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

Art tile, hand mold and specialty tiles are like life. On very close inspection you can find what is commonly perceived as a flaw or imperfection on individual pieces. If reviewed alone, each piece may not be precisely finished or is oddly sized, appearing out of place, even in the middle of hundreds of similar pieces struggling to blend in neatly with the whole.

But after a while you become accustomed to working with the pieces and you begin to appreciate the imperfections. You have a feel for it and know the right place for each piece. It requires patience, experience, and some trial and error to produce a desired outcome. Along the way you may move, change or eliminate pieces as you evaluate the project. At various stages, you step back to view the big picture and to gain perspective on your work in progress. That is when you appreciate the unique qualities of things you had previously perceived as flaws. Those things are now what make this a work of art, never to be duplicated because each piece of the whole is one of a kind.

Years ago, many commercial toilet room tile projects were pretty routine. I don’t miss 4-1/4” x 4-1/4” core toilet projects or 8” x 8” tile in mall food courts. We used to get excited if a designer threw in an accent color or accent band to break things up. Occasionally, you would have a chance to show your technical chops on a high-design corporate cafeteria project that featured some hand-crafted or specialty tile materials. Those projects allowed you to appreciate the incredible amount of diverse materials available to create new masterpieces. We enjoyed those challenges and were always excited to work on projects with special tile. Being awarded the project was just the beginning, then the hard part came – you had to get it done!

In preparation for complicated projects, you would ask yourself:

Did we do our homework?

Are we familiar with the installation instructions?

Did the distributor give us all the information we need to know to avoid surprises later?

What special considerations are required to prepare the substrate?

How about the tile material itself – how well does the material cut?

Do we have the right tools to cut and finish it? Bargain dry-set mortar won’t do the trick.

What kind of setting materials do we need?

Did we carry money for upgraded setting materials?

Does the tile need to be sealed? If yes, then, which sealer? It’s HOW MUCH?

Did we charge enough?

Every one of those questions may have a costly answer. If you did not consider those questions before you priced the job, you probably did not account for all of the costs associated with many specialty materials.

The questions above are not a comprehensive list. It is however a short list of mistakes I have made over the years bidding and installing specialty materials. Each one costs some dough to fix. But in the end, it was well worth it to produce some truly unique and beautiful installations.

The most memorable and often valuable lessons are learned the hard way, through experience. All of those experiences make you better for your next unique project. Once you begin to get a feel for the different types of issues to consider, you find ways to work with more challenging materials and installations. You become engaged in the trade in a very different way.  The hard-won experience hopefully helps you to know some of the answers you need ahead of time. You already have paid a price to learn them.

Just like focusing on the imperfections of an individual tile, don’t let the day’s crisis du jour affect your ability to step back and appreciate the big picture. When you do, you will likely find your day is filled with many blessings. Often it is the unique flaw or anomaly that contributes to real beauty. They are exactly what contributes to what you admire most about your work in progress. Pushing through the difficult parts is what makes you better .

Hope you and yours are safe and well.

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

I recently had a conversation with a social media influencer on tile-related sites. I called to ask what topic was most frequently being discussed online. Right away, she responded that people wanted information on managing their businesses profitably and efficiently. The hunger for business knowledge was as prevalent as requests for technical data installation professionals were seeking to support their complex projects. People are asking for ways to support the business side of their labor and getting paid for their product. That product is the art being produced every day by skilled craftspeople. 

Many great tile installers are artists working on their particular canvas. The artist controls their canvas to achieve a desired outcome. Executing a successful tile project is like preparing a long line of dominoes arranged in a complex pattern. Each domino needs to be carefully placed to achieve a desired outcome. If one of those dominoes is out of place, the results change. Once the pattern starts to go wrong, it is extremely difficult to recover and snatch away other dominoes to stop the rest from falling out of sequence. It is a unique person that knows which dominoes to remove to stop the rest from producing an undesired outcome.

It was offered that the control required for the precise application of tile reflects a personality that wants (needs?) to control all outcomes. While that characteristic is beneficial for a superior tile installation, it may not translate well when you are trying to build relationships or communicate with clients, suppliers or vendors important to your business. The artist and the manager typically have different skills specific to different requirements. Those skills are not often possessed by the same person.
 
This presents an interesting dilemma. It is also a great explanation of why many talented craftspeople do not want anything to do with managing a construction/installation business. They are not well suited for it. Dealing with the minutiae of logistics, training and motivating personnel while managing details often out of their control is a frustrating nightmare for the artist/craftsperson personality.

Social media provides access to a vast amount of information about running your business. It is a resource for learning and improving your business management skills. This information was not so easy to come by even a few years ago. As an NTCA member, you have access to the NTCA Business Manual and NTCA University. Even those who find traditional ways of learning appealing will be surprised at support and interaction available at many online sites. You have access to real-time support through chat or similar support. Tile-related online groups are eager to teach anyone who wants to know more about both the installation and management sides of the industry. They affirm good practices while highlighting why you may want to reconsider some of your existing practices. You can participate publicly, or if you choose – like many – you can read along and participate anonymously.

These sites mix a splash of cool personalities and relatable presenters with information delivered in a convenient format available almost any time you want it. You will often read comments about how the information is helping take them to the next level by showing how to manage their business, while they sell their value. There is information that will help you get more for your valuable expertise, and the quality of content continues to improve. There is always more to know. You need to be as sharp at both ends of the pencil: business manager and craftsperson. 

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

What motivates your desire to keep learning? Are you the type of person that wants to be at the top of your game? Do you seek new products, skills and training for you and others around you? Do you consider yourself an expert? 

If the answer to any of these questions is NO, you are a hack! If you are not one now, you probably started as one. We all did. No one starts as an expert at anything! 

How did you turn the corner? If you are looking through TileLetter, it’s likely you are engaged in learning and training and you place high value in staying up to date with new products and information. A side benefit of doing it through social media or associations is that you have the opportunity to learn and grow with like-minded people who have similar challenges and experiences. 

We start as hacks then find that moment of realization. You experience the “I didn’t know what I didn’t know” moment. Why would you know? You needed information and decided to go look for it. Some of us had the good fortune to have a skilled mentor or teacher train us. Either way, you had to be honest enough to admit that you “didn’t know” and sought opportunities to improve – making a conscious effort to prepare yourself to find a win-win in every situation. Some learn that lesson earlier than others, but only if they have the willingness and ability (two very different, often competing skills) to accept constructive input. 

Highly-motivated, self-reliant people rarely go it alone. Most things are harder without the help of others. Patrick Lencioni from The Ideal Team Player recommends surrounding yourself with people who are “humble, hungry and smart.” According to Lencioni, those are the key personal traits essential to successful collaborations. The optimal outcome is to have people around you who share those assets, with same vision, who you also happen to like. I am blessed to work in a company that places extremely high value on challenging individuals to continually evaluate and elevate their contribution to the team. We keep finding ways to learn, train and get better. Sure, obstacles are always present. Some we create ourselves, but trusting each other helps us get past all of that.

Lately my kids have been streaming “Kitchen Nightmares” with Gordon Ramsay. Many of the episodes are like watching a train wreck. You can’t look away. They are edited to that purpose, but a recurring theme revolves around owners who are usually well intentioned but often unaware of their missing skills. They don’t have the information they need to manage their business successfully. They reach out to Gordon Ramsay because they recognize there are underlying issues. In their minds, they should be killing it, but poor practices and a toxic culture create an environment where good people and ideas are not encouraged. No one wants to share information if they are not invested in success or feel their input will not be valued. When the owners have their “aha” moment, the turnaround starts with getting everyone to buy into the vision of success in addition to whatever important structural changes are required. NOTE: I have needed a kitchen make-over or two myself. To be honest, I continue to be under development. It is a never-ending process. 

Getting better is an intentional endeavor. Most successful people I have met stay motivated out of a sense of wanting to be BETTER. Count yourself as someone who is participating in success because you are looking for it. For tile, the NTCA is a good place to start. I would like to encourage you to share that with someone you think might benefit from it. Get to a workshop, drop back and acquaint yourself with new products and information that could help you in your business. Help us find a few folks who will appreciate what your association offers for someone invested in finding it. Thank you for the opportunity to help you stay at the top of your game!

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

Requests for zero entry showers with creative solutions to water containment and management are much more prevalent than a decade ago. Our aging population will continue to grow demand for products, membranes and gadgets designed for these installations. These devices and systems are designed in part to assist contractors with clients who ask us to change the laws of gravity and warranty installations that do not allow for a 1/4” in 12” pitch for drainage. Those clients are also the most insistent when demanding you to come back to “fix” their puddling shower, even though you may have repeatedly explained that you did not have the ability to circumvent physics within the confines of their installation. Proper pitch is required to break the surface tension of water making its way to the drain. 

If you doubt water can have a big impact over time, take a plane ride over the Grand Canyon. At some point, you will be asked to examine an installation showing signs of a leak. Presumably, you will not have any clues as obvious as the Grand Canyon, so identifying a leak may be slightly more difficult.  Start by examining the surrounding components before you disassemble the tile enclosure. Consider removing sheetrock behind or below the suspected leak. It is much easier to repair sheetrock and paint and it may allow you to pinpoint the source of the leak. Whenever we have been asked to “fix” a leak, we have found it is rarely only the tile installation. Once you demo the waterproofing, you may never figure out what went wrong in the first place.

Years ago, I worked on a steam shower project that failed almost immediately. We had done our homework, gotten the correct components approved and helped with the design of the assembly. Our team was fully engaged with the requirements of the installation. Within two weeks of the health club opening, there was a leak below the steam room and the carpet on a shared wall was thoroughly soaked. 

We reassembled the tools, people and materials we would need to work continuously through the weekend to get the steam room “fixed.” Tap Tap Tap - the mud-set and waterproofing around the drain looked great. Tap Tap Tap - other mud-set under the tile appeared bone dry. We were getting closer to the perimeter. Tap Tap FLOOD! Water flooded out from behind the bench. We discovered they had framed out a new section of bench to cover rerouted plumbing and left copper piping exposed under the new bench. They did not consider it an issue because the GC knew the new bench was going to be waterproofed. He had nailed through the existing waterproofing, but thought it was not an issue because the new bench would be waterproofed. We returned, waterproofed and tiled the bench not knowing what was under it. This had created a hot moist waterproofed chamber with cold copper pipes inside. Condensation on the pipe started the minute the steam room was turned on. Water filled the cavity to the elevation of the water pipe, then leaked through the penetrations created when framing the bench. 

Our “failure” was caused by a number of factors that could have been easily identified if we had just opened up the wall on the other side of the steam room. By the time it was all figured out, we had torn out so much of the steam room floor, we needed to demo the entire floor and lower perimeter tile to get it fixed. 

The most valuable lesson we learned the hard way was to start the investigation from the outside in rather than the inside out of the waterproofed condition.

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

 In the commercial market, we rely on highly competent professional distributors and suppliers to coordinate the logistics of importing and expediting products from all over the world. The suppliers provide high quality, custom-manufactured, expertly-engineered tile materials selected by professional designers for their size, texture and color. Those products are shipped to coordinate with evolving construction schedules painstakingly developed by studied engineers responsible for constructing beautiful buildings conceived by world renowned architectural firms, built by internationally recognized general contractors for Fortune 1000 clients.

The alternative is: “We just ‘Value Engineer’ everything… I know a guy who can get us tile on the cheap...” These are two very different perspectives to get to the same basic finish line.

Things have changed since the world shrank to the size of the smart phone in the palm of your hand. That device provides instant access to entire libraries of materials and their availability for inclusion in your project. That is a powerful opportunity. It can allow you to take advantage of the full value of the expertise offered by each of the elements described in the first paragraph.

It also allows you entry to the “I know a guy” market. That guy is expert at finding the cheapest look-alike product available. Don’t cheat yourself out of quality porcelain/ceramic tile projects and future opportunities with “I know a guy.” Those products/projects have a following and a place in the market, but not every project.

“Value Engineering” (VE) and “Basis of Design” have become euphemisms for alternate ways to get to a desired intent without much concern for quality. There are clients who expect this. When asked, assisting the GC/ owner should be an opportunity to educate. Because of your expertise, you can identify efficiencies with products equal in performance, offered at a more competitive price. Allow the decision maker the opportunity to evaluate risks/rewards for products that satisfy project requirements. This is quite different than a rushing to the bargain basement tile closeout bin to eliminate quality products on every project. Contractors who ask you to provide slash-and-burn alternates for every project are unlikely to be looking for anything but the low price. IS that where you want to compete? Those projects are actively eliminating quality products and likely are also eliminating quality competition. We can’t offer, in good faith, a proposal we know is providing “less” than is required by the specification. We simply don’t compete at that level. We see owners/builders frequently misled into VE compromises that they truly do not understand with products that do not meet the project’s needs.

What to do? Build relationships with industry partners who understand your vision and have a proven interest in working with quality contractors.

I had the opportunity to spend a few hours today with a quality manufacturer whose company I consider master marketers. We talked about our shared desire to build value into projects rather than “Value Engineering” the best products out with materials that under perform or present risk to the installation. Ultimately, the odds are that cut corners today turn into punch list and failures tomorrow. Keeping premium products on a job is difficult in competitively bid projects where competitors may not share your vision and whose low presumably qualified bid sets the price in the marketplace. We just continue to refine our target client list by client type and project type. We aggressively pursue projects we feel showcase our strengths, focusing on that has reduced stress and allowed us to be more competitive on target projects. These are projects we feel will provide us with an opportunity to perform and manage well. In those situations, our true value is shown as we build trust with our client and provide opportunities to find economical solutions without sacrificing the quality of the project and installation. This is true Value Engineering!

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

I am excited to talk about something that has helped to reshape the landscape of the tile community. It is not new, but is growing in its impact and effectiveness.

Construction work means you get up early. Usually that means I am up earlier that the rest of my family on the weekends. On this morning, I am making pancakes for everyone before they get up. It’s fun for me to do that. What else am I doing? Multi-tasking, watching social media posts about tile. I heard something that made me proud to be a part of an industry that takes so much pride in uplifting the people around us for all of the right reasons. There are so many people sharing their passion for the industry on social media. Though it’s impossible to see ALL the information out there, I try to keep up.

That morning I had a chance to watch a video posted by a tile contractor who was excited about learning new things and relearning many of the things he thought he knew – correcting his understanding of how to get the most out of his time and skills. Now he is dedicated to telling others of some of the multiple paths to learning and improving their knowledge and skills. Part of this was through his CTI experience and the ever-expanding connections he was making through his posts, other sites, friends and supporters of like-minded craft professionals.

Through promoting his passion, he was clearly committed to learning more about how to get it right. His post started as an interview with someone who was his competitor, but also someone who was a collaborator for new challenges or obstacles. In that case, they relied on each other for support or advice on certain projects. He encouraged his competitor/collaborator to take the CTI evaluation. In fact, he offered to underwrite his CTI test and pay for the test fee if after he finished, he did not find value in the experience. He wanted his competitor to understand why he had found so much value in the CTI. He was determined to share it. He wanted everyone in his universe (unlimited now with social media) to dive into training and learning for the sake of doing it better. He was clearly pumped about sharing his pride, what he was learning. Now his mission is to show others where to get the information he had found.

But wait, it gets better. He talked for a moment to one of the guys on his team. They discussed what was clearly an ongoing conversation: how the mutual goal was to train up his apprentice to one day leave and go compete against him! Let that sink in. Many people talk about living in the paradigm of “A Rising Tide Lifts all Ships;” few people actually walk the walk. This may have been one of the best examples I have seen of watching someone walking the walk.

There are scores of dedicated, talented people showing their love of the industry on social media sites like John Bridge, Tile Geeks, GTP, Tile Money, Tile Love, Tile Professionals. Not to mention the NTCA Facebook page, the NTCA Members Only Facebook group,  and NTCA’s website listing all of the information and initiatives available through the association. You probably recognize some of the leaders taking it to the next level; Mark H., Brad, Sal, Luke, Jason McD.

Thanks also to all of the manufacturers and great companies engaging in and supporting the Online Tile Army. Apologies in advance for not being able to recognize everyone.

Social media offers a forum to showcase incredible and unique works of art created by tile professionals. Thanks to the Social Media Warriors supporting each other and having a little bit of fun along the way. Many of you will be at Coverings. I will consider myself lucky to spend some time with you and share your excitement for what we do. Thank you for working so hard to get it right and doing it for all of the right reasons.

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

In Tiletopia, substrates are perfectly flat, true and square. Clients diligently seek out the highest-quality, most professional installer they can find, and happily pay them the full amount of their responsible quote because they are confident that a principled, competent, well-trained professional is being retained to deliver a first-class project. 

Cut to Tiletropolis: rough, poorly bonded substrates are common. No allowance exists to repair or replace conditions that will surely lead to failure. Preceding trades do not complete critical tasks, assuring difficulty for follow-on trades in a cascading, snowballing descent into disaster. Five-spot trunk slammer con-artists infuriate and disappoint clients who were intent on finding loopholes in your agreement that allowed them to hold up or not pay you anyway. Grim stuff, right!?! 

The good news is, fairy tales really can come true! You just need to do your best to control which place you live. For the past few months, the President’s Letters have talked about knowing your worth, preparing, being organized to deliver a high-quality product; essentially protecting yourself to lessen the chance that you become the one paying for others’ mistakes.  

How do you move closer to Tiletopia? Knowing and getting paid for your expertise, being in control of your outcomes by steering the job one way or the other, and finally, choosing jobs and clients that move you closer to your desired destination. We wish all of our projects resided in Tiletopia.  But sometimes, even when we see it coming, Tiletropolis sneaks in to undermine our hard work and training. 

Planning is the cure for the slide into Tiletropolis, but it requires you to continually evaluate if your decisions are on track so you do not get absorbed by today’s crisis du jour. As stated before, “Not having a target is a sure way to not hit one.” Once you have a target, it is an art form to keep focused on it. Perhaps even more difficult is bringing others into your plan to help push it along.  

According to my preferred recollection of a construction era gone by, every job had a weathered, seasoned old guy on site. He had an un-lit (sometimes lit) cigar permanently affixed in the corner of his mouth. He’s the superintendent. He built the structure from the ground up. He walked the site, continually observing how every nut and bolt was being installed. He was completely comfortable telling you how to do your job correctly, and he was usually right.  If you were doing something different, he challenged you on the how and why. If you had a good answer and taught him something, you received his stamp of approval and he plowed the road for you. He became your partner, one that was invested in keeping the project firmly rooted in Tiletopia. He helped you do a good job because together you were getting it done. It was not always pretty – sometimes it was acrimonious – but always well-intentioned.

Fortunately, there is a whole bunch of support out there to help you get to where you want to be. This industry has so many amazing people prepared to go way outside of their job descriptions or comfort zones to help you do better: people whose goal is to contribute to the success of others, which makes them more successful. How cool is that?  It is, in fact, the only reason the NTCA exists. If you need help identifying available resources, reaching out to NTCA is a great first start. If we can’t answer your question directly, we can tell you who may have an answer for you. Executing a successful project is always challenging, but preparation will have an impact and is the best way to control the outcome of your jobs. In other words, are you proactively working to reside in Tiletopia? Your home address is up to you. 

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member 
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com

You own responsibility for your safety, and the safety of the people near or affected by what you are doing. It’s good practice and it’s good business. No one wants to think about the consequences of a jobsite accident, but you have probably observed plenty of stitches and perhaps a few serious accidents if you have been on the job for any length of time. 

Most worksite accidents are completely avoidable. They are the result of bad judgment, poor decision-making or a momentary lapse of focus. Good practice and an effective safety culture start and end with you. If you don’t think about it, plan for it and ultimately enforce it, safety doesn’t happen. Whether you work alone or with a team of 20 craftworkers, reinforcing good decisions that form good habits make a difference. Do you use the guard made for your grinders? Do you have the vacuum attachment and HEPA vacuum if you are dry cutting? Do you vacuum dust and small particulates or are you pushing them around with a broom? Are you standing on your trusty old bucket on top of a stack of tiles for that little extra reach? 

You just imagined what can happen when you’re not following safety precautions in these examples. You also realize that the undesired results are solved by preventive steps: ones that you already know you should be doing or using. Those undesired results are called “accidents” because no one meant for them to happen. But usually when looking back on an accident, you see a simple way it could have been avoided. 

Accidents and mistakes are often the result of the same cause: skipping steps you are already aware of but avoid because they are inconvenient. Those are steps meant to protect you or create an intended result, like safety glasses. You don’t mean to catch a piece of metal with your eye; it was an “accident” that could have been avoided had you donned your glasses. We conveniently call them accidents because we feel better not having to admit to making a mistake or error in judgement. That’s the way it works with safety. “Accidents” are something you can PLAN to AVOID. 

Several of you just smiled. You know what you ARE NOT doing. What will it take for you to do it better? Take a moment now to think about how you are going to change three things to make you safer, healthier and to save you a bunch of money long-term in either productiveness or lost time savings. Start with simple things like spending a few more minutes an hour keeping your work area cleaner. Keep your equipment clean and well-maintained (which helps it last longer and work more effectively). Finally, are you actually wearing your safety glasses or making an excuse not to? 

Start with small steps to help you avoid accidents, and I will bet that you can find a few big ones that will make your business better. Talk with your teams about why it’s important and that you support good safety practices. Like I said before, it’s good practice and good business.  

Chris Walker
NTCA President
Vice President, David Allen Company
Chairman, ANSI A-108
Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189
Board of Directors ABC-VA
Voting Member TCNA Handbook
Voting Member
NTCA Reference Manual
chriswalker@davidallen.com