Tile Installation Company • Jacksonville, FL
Free in-home estimate — removal, prep and installation priced in writing before work starts.
Braga Remodeling is a local tile installation company in Jacksonville, FL. We set porcelain, ceramic and large-format tile floors across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Layout is dry-laid first, the substrate is prepared flat, and grout lines stay tight and consistent from wall to wall. We serve Mandarin, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, Orange Park and Fleming Island.
Liability insured · Jacksonville, FL
5.0 · 36 Google reviewsDirect installer communication from measurement through final walkthrough. We handle removal, substrate prep, setting, grout and cleanup, with the scope and price in writing before work starts.
Overview
A tile floor fails for two reasons: the substrate was not flat, or the tile was not fully supported by mortar. Both happen before anyone sees the finished surface, which is why we spend the first part of every tile job on floor preparation — checking flatness, correcting it where needed, and setting the right substrate for the room.
From there the work is layout and discipline. We dry-lay the field so cuts land where they look intentional, keep the grid square to the room's main sight line, set each tile with full coverage, and hold spacing so the grout lines read straight the length of the floor.
Most of our tile work is residential: living areas, entryways, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms, including shower floors and walls when a bathroom remodeling project calls for it. See finished tile in our work.
Tile is one of the best flooring choices for Jacksonville, FL homes, and Florida construction is part of the reason. Most local homes sit on concrete slabs, which gives tile the stable, rigid base it needs — no bounce, no flex, no movement working the grout loose over time. Tile also handles what Florida throws at floors: humidity that never fully leaves, sandy foot traffic tracked in from the beaches, and the occasional spill or pet accident. A properly set porcelain tile floor in Jacksonville can look the same in year ten as it did on install day, which is more than can be said for most other surfaces in this climate.
That does not make tile automatic for every room. Tile is hard underfoot and cool in winter mornings, and it is the most labor-intensive floor to install correctly — removal, prep, setting and grout all take real time. For living areas where comfort matters more, many of our Jacksonville clients pair tile in the wet zones and entries with luxury vinyl plank through the bedrooms and living spaces. We install both, so the recommendation you get is based on the room, not on what we happen to sell.
What to expect from a tile installation in Jacksonville, FL with Braga Remodeling: a free in-home estimate where we measure, check the existing floor and substrate, and put the full scope in writing — removal, preparation, waterproofing where needed, setting, grout, transitions and cleanup. You approve the price before work starts, and you talk directly with the installer from measurement through the final walkthrough. Call (904) 520-1994 to schedule.
Flat, prepared substrate
Checked and corrected before setting
Dry-laid layout
Cuts planned where they read best
Full mortar coverage
No hollow spots underfoot
Consistent grout lines
Straight, even spacing throughout
| What changes the price | How it is priced |
|---|---|
| Square footage and room shape | Measured on site. Closets, hallways, angles and many doorways add cuts and labor per square foot. |
| Removal of the existing floor | Carpet comes up quickly. Old tile has to be broken out, the thinset ground back and the debris hauled away. |
| Slab and substrate condition | Cracks, dips, adhesive residue and moisture are corrected before setting. See floor preparation. |
| Tile size and type | Large-format and wood-look plank tile need a flatter floor and more careful setting. Mosaics take more time per square foot. |
| Layout and pattern | A straight grid is the most efficient. Diagonal, herringbone and offset patterns add cuts and layout time. |
| Wet areas and waterproofing | Shower floors, walls, niches and benches include a waterproofing system and more detailed work. |
| Grout type and finishing | Epoxy grout costs more and takes longer to install than cement grout. Transitions, trim and thresholds are part of the scope. |
We do not publish a single tile price because two floors of the same size can need very different preparation. The in-home estimate is free and the price is fixed in writing before work starts. More detail is in the tile installation cost guide.
Slab & Moisture
Most homes in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are built on a concrete slab on grade, sitting on sandy soil with a water table that can rise close to the surface in the rainy season. A slab is a good base for tile because it does not flex, but it is not automatically ready. Before any tile is set we check three things: flatness, soundness and moisture.
Flatness is checked with a long straightedge across the whole floor, not just in the middle of the room. High spots are ground down and low spots are filled with a patching or self-leveling compound, because thinset is not meant to be used as a leveler. Large-format tile needs a noticeably flatter floor than a standard 12-inch tile, so the tile you choose changes how much preparation the floor needs.
Soundness means the slab surface is clean and strong enough for mortar to bond: old adhesive, paint, curing compounds and loose patch are removed, and existing cracks are looked at before they are covered. Shrinkage cracks are common in Florida slabs and are usually handled with a crack-isolation membrane under the tile, so the crack does not telegraph through the grout. Moving or structural cracks are a different conversation, and we tell you that before we start.
Moisture matters because a slab on grade can pass water vapor up from the ground. Tile itself handles moisture well, but some setting materials, membranes and adjacent floors do not, and trapped moisture is a common cause of efflorescence and failed bonds. When the conditions call for it, we check moisture before setting; see concrete moisture testing. Movement joints at the perimeter and at the required intervals in large rooms give the floor room to expand and contract with Florida heat instead of tenting or cracking.
Showers
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water and vapor pass through grout joints, so what keeps a shower from leaking into the wall framing or the slab is the waterproofing layer behind the tile. In a humid climate like Jacksonville, where bathrooms rarely dry out completely, that layer is what decides whether a shower lasts.
A properly built tile shower has a pre-sloped floor so water always moves toward the drain, a waterproofing membrane that is continuous across the floor, the curb and the walls up to the wet height, sealed corners, seams and plumbing penetrations, and a drain assembly that is compatible with the membrane. Niches and benches are waterproofed as part of the same system, not added afterward. Where the scope allows, we flood-test the pan before tiling so a problem is found while it is still easy to fix.
We cover the details of the waterproofing system on the bathroom waterproofing page, and the full shower projects on walk-in shower and bathroom remodeling.
Tile Types
The right tile depends on the room, the traffic and the look you want. These are the tile types we install most often in Jacksonville homes, and what each one asks of the installation. For a side-by-side comparison, read porcelain vs ceramic tile in Florida.
Dense, low-absorption tile that handles humidity, sandy traffic and wet areas well. The most common choice for Jacksonville floors and showers, and it needs a mortar rated for porcelain.
Lighter and easier to cut, a good fit for walls, backsplashes and lower-traffic floors. Usually more budget-friendly than porcelain for the same look.
Tile with one side of 15 inches or more. Fewer grout lines and a calm, modern floor, but it requires a very flat substrate, full mortar coverage and attention to lippage.
Porcelain planks that look like hardwood and take water like tile. Long planks can have a slight bow, so offsets are kept short and the floor has to be flat to avoid uneven edges.
Small tiles on a mesh sheet, ideal for shower floors because the extra grout lines add grip and follow the slope to the drain. Also used for accents and kitchen backsplash tile.
Marble-look and stone-look porcelain give the appearance of stone with less maintenance, popular for showers, primary baths and entries.
Layout
The pattern changes how a room reads and how much cutting the job takes. Whatever the pattern, the layout starts from a reference line squared to the main sight line of the room, and it is dry-laid so that cuts at opposite walls are balanced instead of leaving a thin sliver at a doorway.
Clean and modern, the most efficient layout. It also shows any out-of-square wall, so the reference line matters.
Common with rectangular tile. For long tiles and wood-look planks, the offset is kept short (often one third) to reduce lippage from tile bow.
Tile set at 45 degrees can make a small room feel wider. More cuts at every wall.
A strong design statement for entries, backsplashes and shower walls. Labor-intensive and laid out carefully from the center.
A repeating set of different sizes for a traditional, stone-like look. Needs a planned starting point to keep the module correct.
Inlays, picture-frame borders and niche accents, planned in the layout rather than added at the end.
Grout
Grout fills the joints, locks the tile edges together and is the part of a tile floor you clean every week, so the choice matters. Joint width depends on the tile: rectified porcelain can take a narrow joint, while handmade-look tile and some wood-look planks need a wider one. Grout color is chosen with you before setting, and sealing and cleaning are already covered in the questions below.
The traditional choice and the easiest to install and repair. Sanded grout is used for wider joints, unsanded for narrow joints and delicate surfaces. It is porous, so it usually benefits from sealing.
Modified cement grouts with better stain resistance and color consistency. A practical middle ground for floors and showers.
Very stain- and water-resistant and does not need sealing, a strong fit for showers, kitchens and pet areas. It costs more, takes longer to install and has to be cleaned off the tile quickly.
Already have tile with worn or stained grout? See grout repair and grout cleaning and sealing.
Straight answers
Braga Remodeling is a Jacksonville tile installation company serving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida — Mandarin, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, Orange Park, Fleming Island and Jacksonville Beach. Our tile installers handle the full job: removal, substrate preparation, waterproofing in wet areas, setting, grout and cleanup. Free in-home estimates: (904) 520-1994.
Porcelain tile is the best all-around choice for Jacksonville homes. It is denser and less porous than ceramic, which matters in Florida humidity, and it handles sandy foot traffic without showing wear. For shower floors, smaller porcelain mosaics give better grip underfoot. For living areas, large-format porcelain gives fewer grout lines and a calmer look — but it needs a flatter substrate, which we check before you buy.
Tile installation cost in Jacksonville depends on the square footage, the condition of the existing floor, how much preparation and leveling is needed, and the tile you select. Because every slab is different, we do not quote blind prices — the in-home estimate is free, and you get the full scope and a fixed price in writing before any work starts. Call (904) 520-1994 to schedule.
It depends on the room. Tile wins in wet areas, entries and kitchens — nothing beats it for water resistance and longevity on a Florida slab. Luxury vinyl plank wins on comfort, warmth underfoot and faster installation, making it popular for bedrooms and living areas. Many of our Jacksonville projects use both: tile where water lives, LVP where feet live. We install both, so you get an honest recommendation per room.
Yes — shower and bathroom tile is a core part of our work. Wet areas get a full waterproofing system over the substrate before any tile is set: the pan, curb, corners and wall height that gets wet. In Florida humidity, waterproofing is the detail that decides whether a shower lasts or leaks, so it is never skipped. See our bathroom remodeling work for examples.
What We Install
Porcelain and ceramic floor tile for living areas, entries, hallways, kitchens and laundry rooms — the core of what we do. Only a few damaged tiles? See tile repair.
Bigger tiles show every imperfection in the floor, so flatness tolerance and mortar coverage matter more. We prepare accordingly.
Existing tile broken out and hauled away, thinset ground back, and the substrate brought back to a flat, sound surface.
Related to our main tile work: shower floors, walls and wet areas, with waterproofing handled before any tile is set.
Grid squared to the room, cuts balanced at opposite walls, grout color chosen with you and joints filled cleanly.
Clean thresholds where tile meets vinyl plank flooring, carpet or an existing floor, at a height that does not catch a toe.
Our Process
We measure the space, check the existing floor and substrate, and confirm the scope in person.
You choose tile, size, pattern and grout color. Quantities and details go into a written estimate.
Old flooring removed, substrate flattened and prepared, waterproofing installed in wet areas.
Tile set to the approved layout, grouted and cleaned, then walked with you before we call it finished.
Real Braga Projects
Every photo shown here is confirmed Braga Remodeling project photography.
Large-format marble-look shower
Tiled walls with shiplap accents
Bathroom tile and vanity finish
Service Areas
We install tile throughout Jacksonville, including Mandarin, San Jose, San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Southside and Julington Creek, and in the surrounding communities below. Older homes in Riverside, Avondale and San Marco often mean removing original tile and correcting the slab, while newer homes in Nocatee, St. Johns and Fleming Island are usually builder-grade upgrades to porcelain and large-format tile. Call (904) 520-1994 to confirm your address.
Check your service area
Enter your ZIP to see whether it is on our standard Jacksonville-area service list.
FAQ
Google Reviews
5.0 average from 36 reviews on Google
“I had a great experience with this construction company. They were honest, reliable, and did exactly what they promised. The team was professional, hardworking, and paid attention to every detail.”
“We had an overall wonderful experience with Braga Remodeling. They were responsible, professional and communicated well throughout the process.”
“Excellent service and outstanding workmanship! The crew was punctual, respectful, and very knowledgeable throughout the entire project.”
Tell us the rooms, the tile you have in mind and what is on the floor today. Prefer to talk? Call (904) 520-1994 or email braga@bragaremodeling.com.
Call (904) 520-1994