How to Choose a Company for Laying Large-Format Tile: Advice from M-STONE Experts

Why choosing a contractor is the most important decision of your renovation

You have chosen the perfect large-format tile, thought through the design, set a budget… But all of this can be wasted by poor-quality installation. Laying large-format tile is not a job you can entrust to a ‘jack of all trades’ or to a crew that was laying ordinary 30×30 cm tile yesterday. It is specialised work that needs special knowledge, skills and equipment.

M-STONE is a recognised leader in installing large-format tile, porcelain stoneware and natural stone in Kyiv and Ukraine. In this article we share professional advice on choosing a contractor and explain why M-STONE is the optimal choice for your project.

Tile cracks

Causes

• Voids under the tile due to insufficient adhesive application
• An uneven substrate
• Incorrect transport and laying
• No expansion joints

Consequences

• Replacing the damaged tile (if there is a spare)
• Complete dismantling and re-laying (if there is no spare)
• Additional costs that can significantly exceed the original ones

How to avoid it: entrust the work to professionals with experience working specifically with large formats.

An uneven surface (‘steps’ between slabs)

Causes

• Insufficient base preparation
• Not using a tile levelling system (TLS)
• Low qualification of the craftsmen

Consequences

• An unattractive look
• A tripping hazard
• Dirt collecting at the differences in level

How to avoid it: choose contractors who use laser equipment and a TLS.

Tile coming loose

Causes

• Wrong choice of adhesive
• Violation of the application technology
• No priming
• Laying on an unprepared base

Consequences

• Tile falls off the wall or bulges on the floor
• A risk of injury
• Complete re-installation

How to avoid it: check which adhesive mixes the contractor uses.

Dirty or uneven joints

Causes

• Adhesive not removed from the joints
• Poor-quality grout
• Violation of the grouting technology

Consequences

• An unattractive look
• Destruction of the grout over time
• Penetration of moisture

How to avoid it: require the use of quality grout (preferably epoxy).

Damage to the tile during transport and cutting

Causes

• No special equipment
• Inexperienced staff
• Disregard for the rules for handling large formats

Consequences

• Chips on visible edges
• Cracks when cutting
• Excess material consumption

How to avoid it: make sure the contractor has vacuum suction cups and professional cutting equipment.

Criteria for choosing a company to lay large-format tile

Criterion 1: specialisation in large formats

Why it matters: laying 120×240 cm tile is radically different from working with a 30×60 cm format. These are different technologies, different equipment and a different level of training.

What to ask

• What are the minimum and maximum tile sizes you lay?
• How many projects with large-format tile have you completed?
• Are there photos/videos of work with large formats?

M-STONE: we specialise precisely in large-format tile and natural stone. Laying slabs up to 160×320 cm is our everyday work. See our portfolio on the website https://mstone.ua/ and on Instagram @mstone_kiev.

Criterion 2: special equipment

Necessary equipment

• Vacuum suction cups for moving large slabs
• Transport frames
• Large-format tile cutters (up to 340 cm)
• Electric tile cutters with water cooling
• Laser levels
• Vibration platforms for pressing slabs
• Tile levelling systems (TLS)

What to ask

• What equipment do you use?
• Do you have vacuum suction cups?
• How do you cut large-format tile?

M-STONE: we are equipped with a full set of professional equipment from leading European manufacturers. Sigma and Montolit vacuum suction cups, Rubi and Sigma tile cutters and Bosch laser levels are only part of our arsenal.

Criterion 3: experience with natural stone

Why it matters: if a company can work with marble, travertine and onyx, it will certainly cope with porcelain stoneware. Natural stone is far more demanding of the contractor’s skill.

What to ask

• Do you work with marble, travertine, onyx?
• Are there examples of work with natural stone?
• What are the features of installing different kinds of stone?

M-STONE: natural stone is our main specialisation. The company name M-STONE (from ‘marble stone’) speaks for itself. We work with all kinds of natural stone: marble, travertine, onyx, granite.

Criterion 4: portfolio and reviews

What to pay attention to

• Real photos of completed work (not stock photos)
• A variety of projects (apartments, houses, commercial)
• Reviews from real clients
• The ability to contact previous customers

Where to check

• The company website
• Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
• Google Maps (reviews)
• Specialist forums

M-STONE

• Website: https://mstone.ua/, a portfolio with detailed photos
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/, current projects
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/, client reviews
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/, videos of the work process

Criterion 5: transparent pricing

Signs of a reliable company

• A detailed estimate broken down by work
• A fixed price once the scope of work is approved
• No hidden payments
• A clear contract with all the terms

Signs of a dubious company

• A price ‘from…’ without detail
• Unwillingness to provide a written estimate
• Constantly ‘adding’ work during the process
• Refusing a contract

What to ask

• Can you provide a detailed estimate?
• What is included in the cost of the work?
• Are there additional expenses not included in the estimate?
• How does payment work?

M-STONE: we provide a detailed estimate broken down by each type of work. The price is fixed after the measurer’s visit and final agreement of the scope. No hidden payments: you know the exact amount before work starts.

Criterion 6: a guarantee on the work

Important

• A written guarantee
• Terms of guarantee service
• Responsibility for materials

What to ask

• What guarantee do you give?
• What does the guarantee cover?
• How does guarantee service work?

M-STONE: we give an official guarantee on all work carried out. If defects related to the quality of installation are found, we remove them free of charge.

Criterion 7: timelines

What to pay attention to

• Realistic deadlines
• A work schedule
• Responsibility for delays
• Flexibility in force majeure situations

Warning signs

• Promises to do a large volume ‘in a week’
• No clear schedule
• Unwillingness to fix deadlines in the contract

M-STONE: we draw up a realistic work schedule and keep to it. Our clients always know when each stage will be completed. If objective delays arise, we inform you in advance.

Criterion 8: communication and service

Signs of professionals

• A quick reply to enquiries
• Readiness to explain technical nuances
• Consultations on choosing materials
• Politeness and punctuality

Signs of non-professionals

• A long wait for a reply
• Unwillingness to answer questions
• Irritation at clarifying questions
• Being late for meetings

M-STONE: our managers are always in touch and ready to answer any questions. We advise not only on the work but also help with choosing tile, adhesive and grout. Your comfort is our priority.

Why M-STONE is your ideal partner

Our specialisation

Large-format tile and porcelain stoneware

• Laying slabs of all sizes up to 160×320 cm
• Installation on floors, walls, facades
• Book-match and vein-match laying
• Work with thin porcelain stoneware (3-6 mm)

Natural stone

• Marble of all kinds (Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario, Emperador and others)
• Travertine (Classic, Noce, Silver, Gold)
• Onyx (white, honey, green, pink) with LED backlighting
• Granite for exteriors and floors

Our services

A full cycle of work

• A free consultation
• A measurer’s visit to the site
• Drawing up a detailed estimate
• Help with choosing and purchasing materials
• Dismantling old coverings
• Base preparation (levelling, waterproofing)
• Installing the tile or stone
• Grouting the joints
• Final finishing (water-repellent treatment, polishing)
• Cleaning and handing over the site
• Guarantee service

Additional services

• Designing the tile layout
• A 3D visualisation of the result
• Installing lighting systems
• Making stone products (countertops, windowsills, stairs)
• Restoration of stone surfaces

Our equipment

For transport and laying

• Sigma, Montolit, Raimondi vacuum suction cups
• Transport frames for large slabs
• Vibration platforms for pressing
• Tile levelling systems (TLS) from various manufacturers

For cutting and finishing

• Sigma, Rubi manual tile cutters up to 340 cm
• Electric tile cutters with water cooling
• Angle grinders with diamond blades
• Drilling equipment for holes
• Polishing machines for stone

For measuring and control

• Bosch, Hilti laser levels
• Straightedges of various lengths
• Squares and levels

Our team

Qualified specialists

• Tilers with at least 5 years of experience
• Natural stone specialists
• LED system installers
• Planners and designers

Continuous training

• Seminars from material manufacturers
• Mastering new technologies
• Studying European experience

Our values

Quality above all: we do not take on projects unless we are sure we can carry them out at the highest level.

Honesty: transparent pricing, realistic deadlines, truthful information about capabilities and limitations.

Responsibility: we answer for every stage of the work and give a guarantee on the result.

An individual approach: every project is unique, and we take all the client’s wishes into account.

Where M-STONE works

Kyiv

All districts of the city

• Pechersk, Lypky, Zverynets: elite apartments and residences
• Podil, Kontraktova: the historic centre
• Obolon, Minskyi Massiv: modern residential complexes
• Pozniaky, Osokorky, Kharkivskyi: large projects on the left bank
• Darnytsia, Lisovyi, Rusanivka: the private sector and apartments
• Troieshchyna, Desnianskyi: affordable housing
• Vynohradar, Kurenivka, Priorka: a variety of projects
• Sviatoshyn, Borshchahivka, Akademmistechko: private houses and apartments
• Holosiiv, Teremky, Feofaniia: cottage communities
• Solomianka, Shuliavka, Karavaievi Dachi: a variety of projects

Kyiv region

Kyiv suburbs

• Brovary: a dynamic satellite city
• Irpin, Bucha, Vorzel, Hostomel: popular places to live
• Vyshhorod: the northern suburb
• Vyshneve, Boyarka, Tarasivka: the south-west direction
• Ukrainka, Obukhiv: the southern direction
• Kozyn, Koncha-Zaspa: elite cottage communities

All of Ukraine

For large and exclusive projects we travel throughout Ukraine:

• Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv
• Resort areas (the Carpathians, the coast)
• Industrial and commercial sites

How to order M-STONE services

Step 1: contact us

📞 Phones:

• +38 068 100 27 96
• +38 050 914 18 99

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://mstone.ua/

Social media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

Step 2: consultation

Tell us about your project:

• Type of space (apartment, house, commercial)
• Cladding area
• Preferred material (porcelain stoneware, marble, travertine, onyx)
• Interior style
• Approximate budget
• Preferred deadlines

Step 3: the measurer’s visit

• Exact measurements of the space
• Assessing the condition of the substrate
• Discussing technical nuances
• Recommendations on materials

Step 4: the commercial proposal

Within 1-2 days you will receive:

• A detailed estimate with a breakdown
• A list of the necessary materials
• A work schedule
• Payment terms

Step 5: the contract

Signing a contract with clearly defined:

• Scope of work
• Cost and payment procedure
• Deadlines
• Guarantee obligations

Step 6: carrying out the work

Professional installation to all technological requirements:

• Daily quality control
• Keeping you informed about progress
• Prompt resolution of questions

Step 7: handing over the site

The final stage:

• Cleaning after the work
• Demonstrating the result
• Signing the acceptance certificate
• Handing over the guarantee letter

Summary: a checklist for choosing a contractor

✅ Specialisation in large-format tile ✅ Experience with natural stone ✅ Special equipment ✅ A portfolio of real work ✅ Positive client reviews ✅ A detailed estimate ✅ A written guarantee ✅ A formal contract ✅ Realistic deadlines ✅ Professional communication

M-STONE meets all these criteria!

A call to action

Do not risk the quality of your renovation!

Entrust the laying of large-format tile to the professionals at M-STONE and get:

• Flawless installation quality
• Meeting the deadlines
• A guarantee on the work
• Satisfaction with the result

Call now and get a free consultation!

📞 +38 068 100 27 96 📞 +38 050 914 18 99 📧 [email protected] 🌐 https://mstone.ua/

M-STONE — your reliable partner in creating dream interiors!

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.