I was talking with a client this week about how important those little details are when installing a tile shower.  You can’t omit a step or you will have problems.  I was reflecting on this later and thinking, “When IS it okay to skip the details?”

Never!

I know there are certain times when something doesn’t have to be perfect, however, you still have to be intentional and thinking through how your decisions may make a difference later in the project.  This is why I enjoy projects where I get to start from scratch and see it to the end.  This enables me to make sure that the framing and electrical decisions work with where I want counters or tile to end up later.  When several people are involved, this continuity is lost and sometimes things aren’t exactly right when the end is reached.

Details matter.  Even if it’s not important.

For example, it may not be ‘important’ for the caulk to look nice, but it matters to my clients (and matters to me!)  If a caulk joint is going to be visible I like to tape the edges like around this hearth (left) to make sure it looks great.  Without the tape I’m likely to make a sloppy mess.  This is also a great tip for neatly caulking around a tub or countertops.

Attention to detail may be in the forefront when talking about a tile shower, but the truth is that it’s always important to pay attention to detail and get it right.  Otherwise, you may be doing it again later.