Washington Area Tile Contractor Review (Sita Tile)
Back in February I wrote about my attempt to find a distributor who would sell me Custom Building Product’s LevelQuik ES underlayment. Most suppliers wanted a business license or Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) number to make a deal. As a DIYer, I have neither.
Of course, I tried the big box. Big orange wanted $34/bag + delivery charge to get the product for me. Others I contacted told me I should be paying $25-29/bag, (even though most weren’t willing to sell to me – no business license). Since I require 60 bags for the job, a $7 per bag difference means an extra $420 on the bottom line. I kept looking.
Sita Tile Delivers Results
After many failed attempts with other distributors, I contacted Custom directly and asked for the names of companies local to Baltimore/Washington who would be willing to help. They gave me four companies to try. The only company that would meet my needs was Sita Tile in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Incidentally, they were Custom’s first recommendation to me.
I called the main number for Sita and was transferred to the voicemail of Jim Sita, Jr. This encouraged me. I like working with owners and owners’ families. I left a message explaining what I needed. Jim called me back within a day and already had a quote worked up based on my voicemail. I won’t reveal the exact price, but will say it met my expectations.
Jim ordered the product from Custom based on my verbal commitment to mail Sita a check. It came on their delivery truck the following Friday, and Sita was ready to ship it to me the following morning. Unfortunately, there were predictions of rain over the next 5 days in our area. I asked Jim if he would be willing to hold the product in his warehouse until it could be dropped off when the weather improved. He agreed, and held the product in inventory for another 7 days.
On delivery day, Sita’s driver called me on my mobile to verify he was at the right location for delivery. (Easy to identify by the white metal reindeer still standing in the front garden from Christmas). He then unloaded the product in the exact spot I requested (in my driveway, near the garage). The product was delivered on two pallets, both neatly and thoroughly wrapped.
I was very impressed with Sita Tile, and would highly recommend them anyone in the Baltimore-Washington corridor who needs tiling materials in the future.
A Note For the Skeptics
One more thing: Sita Tile neither asked nor paid for this endorsement. They didn’t know I write about home improvement. They simply performed excellently at their business. Every business deserves kudos for that.
What do you think? Did you have an extraordinarily good experience with a contractor? Have you shared your good experience?
photo by Jose Miguel Serrano.
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2 Responses to Washington Area Tile Contractor Review (Sita Tile)
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March 4th, 2008 9:02 pm
Oh this is good to know. I’m in Silver Spring and will have to dig through your blog for recommendations on all those things I’ll need as I settle into my new old house here
March 4th, 2008 9:35 pm
Jen,
Very cool! You’re close. My wife grew up in Laurel, v. close to your location. My in-laws still live there. Will definitely be following your house progress, and of course will continue to pass on good referalls. I’ve had a number of good experiences over the last year — and a few bad ones… I hope to get them all up here in the next few months.
Fred