Coast Tile & Marble Supply
Kyle Eisele, Design Consultant

Now in its third generation of family ownership, Coast Tile & Marble Supply has unmatched knowledge for projects involving tile and stone. The company has built its reputation on being a local source for homeowners no matter what size the project. But before embarking on the journey of remodeling, the matter of budget must be discussed.

"Typically, if homeowners do some research, they think they have an idea of a budget, but once they get into details and the little things involved, they may find the number is higher than anticipated," says Kyle Eisele, design consultant. "It's important to have a detailed budget with a contractor so you're not shocked by the selections. You don't want to pick something out and plan around it without knowing if it fits your budget."

Using their decades of experience, Coast Tile's design team helps clients maximize what they have. We spoke with Eisele about the creative ways to save money and where it's best spent.

What is the best way to approach a tile budget?
It all depends on the scale of the project, but some contractors will tell homeowners to allow one sum number for tile. For instance, they might say for six bathrooms, a backsplash and laundry room, allow $18,000. Others might say to budget $7 per square foot for tile, and in that you also have to consider installation, finishing, grout, etc.

We've gotten very good at knowing the average square footage and allocating different products into that budget. We can find ways to make a $2,500 bathroom look like a $5,000 bathroom with certain techniques to maximize their budget.

What are some of the methods you use to create impact and help clients stay within budget?
We have an entire showroom to discuss options. We have an area dedicated to intricate waterjet-cut tile, natural stones and glasses, that are going to be much higher in square foot price. If a client has a wall where they want to make a statement and realizes it's 45 square feet, we have ways to go about it. We can use one stone to border the area, reducing the total square footage but achieving that same high-end impact. We could also use field tiles in a dynamic herringbone or basketweave pattern without the premium waterjet price.

Are there certain rooms where a bigger portion of the budget is well-spent?
Yes. We do a lot of new-home builds that come with an allowance. We know right away that the master bath will be a good chunk of the budget. This is where the homeowner is waking up every morning, so we feel it's one of the most important. We find clients also like to focus on the guest bath as well, especially in Shore homes—it's the one everyone is using when they visit and people want a wow factor for guests.

Then in other rooms, like the kids' bathroom, you might not opt for marble, but subway tiles on the walls are an excellent choice. Using that on walls can save a lot of money and then you could get fancier on the floors with an inlay or putting in a niche in the shower walls. There are ways to be creative.

What other areas could tile make an impact?
There are a few areas we can tile that might be unexpected but can come out stunning. We've done stair risers in decorative patterns, wine cellars with stone looks and even tiled the whole face of a kitchen island. You could go all-out on a bar backsplash with lighting and shelves, adding to its entertainment value. Laundry rooms are another cool way to use your budget. It's likely the smallest square footage, so why not make it really sharp looking? These take a home to another level and show you put more thought into it. Everyone wants their home to have personality.

Why should homeowners consider Coast Tile for their project?
We truly understand what goes into this process. Homeowners aren't walking into a place where we grab what's in stock off a pallet. We work hand-in-hand helping homeowners select materials and manage their budget. We're not a commission sales staff, and sometimes we will tell them if we should pull back in one area or spend the money in another space. We want you to have a beautiful home and get what makes you happy.

Coast Tile & Marble Supply
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. | (609) 646-9346 | CoastTile.net

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 21, Issue 11 (Fall 2021). 
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