A tile store sells, repairs, and sometimes installs tile. Tile comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be used as flooring, as counter tops, a wall surface, and in bathrooms. It is generally sold by the box, with square footage dimensions listed to assist in determining how much product is needed for a project.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
DIY: How to Start an LLC
Start a tile business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Tile Business
- Form your Tile Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Tile Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Tile Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Tile Business
- Get Tile Business Insurance
- Define your Tile Business Brand
- Create your Tile Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your tile business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Tile Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a tile business?
Your greatest investment will be the actual retail space. Take the time to choose a location that’s easily accessible and offers ample parking. Rent and deposit costs vary from region to region, but experienced tile store owners advise budgeting between $2,500 to $5,000 to secure a location.
Once you’ve found a location, it’s time to start designing your showroom. The following items should be factored into your budget:
- Fixtures – To reduce costs, consider purchasing used whenever possible. You could also approach the tile distributors you’ve partnered with; many of them have displays designed specifically for showrooms.
- Inventory – This number varies depending upon how you wish to serve your customers and the retailers you partner with.
- Computer and accessories – $1,000
- Point of Sale software – Most software can now be customized to fit your retail needs – $1,000 – $2,800
- Marketing materials
- Insurance – Speak with a professional to ensure your insurance needs are met.
What are the ongoing expenses for a tile business?
You’ll need to budget for the following items, above and beyond standard overhead costs:
- Payroll – this includes payroll taxes, benefits, and Workman’s Comp
- Marketing and networking
- Annual insurance policy
- Inventory replenishment
It’s recommended that you budget for a minimum of $5,000 monthly, depending upon how many workers you employ and how large your showroom is.
How does a tile business make money?
Tile stores make money by selling and installing tile to individual customers and, in some cases, local contractors. Some retail establishments offer tile cleaning and repair services, depending upon the needs of their community.
How much can you charge customers?
Pricing varies, depending upon size, manufacturer, and quality of product. Average cost is $2-$5 per square foot.
How much profit can a tile business make?
While is it always advised to budget for little to no profit the first one to three years, many tile stores report a profit of more than $50,000 their first year. Your business’ profits will start to see a steady incline, as your knowledge of the industry starts to grow.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Although it requires additional licensing, adding tile installation to your list of services is the fastest way to increase profits. To remain competitive, most tile businesses offer additional flooring inventory and installation options, such as carpet and wood floors. As you get to know the needs of your clients, you could also consider selling the supplies needed for those do-it-yourself customers.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your tile business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your tile business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a tile business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Services Contract
In business where services are provided on an extended basis, a services contract is often put in place outlining terms and conditions of service.
Countertop businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, and service level expectations. Here is an example of such a service agreement.
Certificate of Occupancy
A tile business is generally run out of a workshop. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a tile business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommendedto include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your tile business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Tile Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Tile Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a tile business
Your target market includes both homeowners and businesses who are looking to update their homes/offices. Your marketing efforts should also include consumers who have suffered a loss such as a fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
How to keep customers coming back
In addition to standard marketing strategies, such as social media platforms and local ad campaigns, consider approaching independent insurance adjusters to set up a referral program. Approach various home and business insurance carriers to find out what it would take to get added to their partner list. This is an effective way to build steady business and create a sound reputation in the community.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Entrepreneurs with experience in home maintenance and repair, tile installation, and flooring are best suited to manage a tile store. Owners should have an eye for beautiful, quality tile and should understand what tile pairs best with other household surfaces.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a tile business?
Most days at a tile store are spent managing retail traffic. Employees will let customers browse the showroom, answering any questions that might come up. Many tile showrooms offer clients an opportunity to actually see their designs before purchasing by making design software available on-site.
Additional daily tasks include stocking the showroom’s inventory, rotating in-store and window displays, processing transactions, and scheduling any services that are required post-transaction. Store managers or owners will also need to handle administrative duties such as managing finances, the marketing strategy, and networking within the community.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful tile business?
A tile store owner should be well-versed in all types of flooring, with tile as their specialty. While it’s not necessary to be an installer, you’ll often be asked questions that require basic installation knowledge. Some experience in interior design would also prove beneficial. It is recommended that you spend a year or two working in a showroom or at a large home maintenance retailer. This will not only provide you with the knowledge needed to run a showroom, it will help in gaining a deeper understanding of how to communicate with consumers.
As the owner, it’s also important to possess strong leadership skills, business acumen, and be able to communicate with a variety of different people. The relationships you build with suppliers will be as important as those built with customers and your staff.
What is the growth potential for a tile business?
A tile store has significant room for expansion. The key to realizing long-term growth is recognizing that there are many varied design tastes. By offering many tile options, you look to create a buying market for every potential customer. To expand from a local provider to a national retailer, however, your showroom should expand beyond tile, offering carpeting and other flooring options.
The World Floor Covering Association and American Floorcovering Alliance both help members stay abreast of the latest in industry trends, tools, and technology. They can also assist in devising a sound marketing strategy and business plan.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a tile business?
While it’s tempting to fill your showroom with every available tile, consider getting to know the needs of your clients on a more personal level beforehand. Stay current with industry trends to stay current with customers’ needs.
How and when to build a team
Prior to opening your doors, you’ll want to have compiled a team of professional and knowledgeable employees. As your business starts to realize significant growth, you will need to consider adding to your showroom team.