Quality isn't a commodity
The spectrum in tile setting
On the home page you'll find the National Tile Contractor Association (NTCA) video Trowel & Error, a good intro to the trade. Here we'll address the availability and pricing of correct and Error methods in Ottawa Ontario 2024.
Below you'll find an old document I don't employ anymore, but still has informational value for the cost of industry standardized tile installation. The remainder of the page attempts to address the variation in the marketplace.
Pricing & Availability
A moment on pricing and complexity
Aptitude for accounting is rare, contractors chronically under charge for their services. Alternatively, thinking they make as much a doctors, unaware once expenses are paid they're left with a normal income.
Meaning, variation in pricing regardless of quality is to be expected. Yet, there remains a threshold where industry standards are no longer possible, and the shear speed of the Error methods exist as the only service in that space.
The Error methods space is approximately (regarding common uncoupling membrane floors) <$15 a SF labour and material, less tile.
My own pricing, using a burdened labour rate and generally accepted accounting practices(GAAP), is approximately $26 a SF material and labour, less tile. Reference document bellow for other assemblies.
Neither estimates are accounting for the general requirements of individual projects or a general contractors markup.
Ultimately, due to the shear amount of variables, pricing is not always a reliable means of recognizing quality installations. Thus refer to the three essentials of tile setting to recognize it yourself.
An anecdotal observation on availability of either method.
All track housing uses Error methods, with hit and miss results. Plywood underlayment and avoiding large format tile (no edge longer than 15") can prove effective.
I have not confirmed a flooring store to employ industry standards. Many do not, a few may be I simply haven't been able to confirm.
The majority of renovators and custom builders employ Error methods. That's not an attack, construction is exceedingly complex and business owners excel in the aspects that interest them.
This observation is due to having started in residential construction with a Sub-contractor employing Error methods. Once starting on my own and adopting industry standards, a series of account marketing attempts reveled it's seaming absence from the Ottawa market. I've since had the pleasure of networking with several professionals serving the area. Some of whom you'll find listed on my contact page.
Summery
Regardless of the sums that are repeated in deferent networks, installation cost will vary according to the level of quality, craftsmanship, and service. Vary again according to a companies organizational structure, estimating/bidding, and accounting processes.
Ultimately, the lower the cost, the less time that can be profitably invested in a project for either quality or client care.
Industry standard installs are in the minority. As a basic heuristic, expect cost to be about twice Error method installs. Without GC's markups.
Including a GC's markup expect to see an additional 20-50% (50% being x2, yes project management and overhead are massive and typically justifiable expenses).