Southlake Tile in Oklahoma City: Custom Installation and Problem Solving for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Southlake Tile is a tile installation contractor serving Oklahoma City residential and light commercial projects, operating since 2015 and specializing in kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls and floors, and shower enclosures. The company handles both standard material installation and troubleshooting jobs where previous work failed, working at a mid-range price point that reflects custom layout work rather than commodity installation.

What Southlake Tile actually does

Southlake Tile contracts directly with homeowners and does not work through design firms or general contractors as a subcontractor; the company manages the full scope from material selection through grouting and sealing. Most projects run 3 to 7 days depending on room size and tile complexity. The business is licensed and insured but not a full general contractor, meaning it handles tile and stone only. For jobs requiring substrate repair, framing changes, or plumbing relocation, the company can recommend licensed partners but does not absorb those tasks in-house.

Services and pricing structure

Installation costs run $8 to $16 per square foot for standard ceramic and porcelain tile in simple grid layouts; natural stone, intricate mosaics, and hand-cut patterns run $16 to $28 per square foot. A typical 50-square-foot kitchen backsplash with subway tile costs $400 to $800 in labor alone. Material is typically supplied by the homeowner, though Southlake Tile can source materials and mark them up 15 to 20 percent if preferred. Removal and disposal of existing tile adds $3 to $6 per square foot. Waterproofing membranes for shower installations are billed separately at $4 to $8 per square foot depending on product. The company charges $125 for an in-home estimate, credited toward the project if work is contracted. Verify current pricing by phone before planning a budget.

How Southlake Tile compares to other Oklahoma City contractors

Larger general contractors like Greymark Construction handle tile as one trade among many but often mark labor up 35 to 50 percent above the installer's rate and require tile selection from a limited preferred vendor list. Handyman services such as Handy Danny generally cannot execute intricate layouts and offer no warranty on grouting or sealing. Independent tile setters operating informally may undercut Southlake Tile by 10 to 15 percent but often lack insurance or verifiable licensing. Choose Southlake Tile if you want a single point of contact for tile-specific expertise and a clear scope; choose a general contractor if your project requires concurrent structural or plumbing work; choose a handyman only if your job is purely cosmetic and small-scale.

Who this service suits and who it does not

Southlake Tile works best for homeowners with a clear tile selection already in hand or willingness to spend time at material showrooms, homeowners with bathrooms or kitchens in sound structural condition needing visual refresh, and projects where tile is the dominant focus. It is not suited to buyers who want a single contractor managing design selection, framing, plumbing, and tile in one package, or to properties where substrate damage, mold, or water intrusion requires remediation before tile installation can begin.

What the first visit involves

An estimator visits the space, photographs the area, takes detailed measurements, and discusses layout options (whether to center a pattern, how to handle edges and transitions, grout color). The estimator asks about existing substrate condition, whether removal of old tile is needed, and water exposure risk (critical for showers and tub surrounds). You receive a written estimate within 3 business days. The company does not require a deposit to schedule; payment terms are typically 50 percent upon contract and 50 percent upon completion.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Southlake Tile operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with occasional Saturday availability for established clients. The company is dispatch-based; crews arrive at the scheduled time and work until the daily scope is complete. Most residential jobs are completed on-site without a formal office visit required. Crews typically arrange their own site parking; for multi-story buildings, confirm elevator access and hallway protection before the estimate.

Southlake Tile earns recognition in Oklahoma City because it closes the gap between big-box tile availability and small-operator reliability, offering transparent pricing, insurance protection, and the focused expertise that prevents costly mistakes in high-moisture spaces.