Testimonials

This was the best experience we have ever had with a contractor. We were told what to expect every step of the way, including with emails in the evening summarizing the day’s progress and previewing the work for the next day. The workmen were professional and highly skilled and were a pleasure to have in the house. They completed the work in seven work days, more quickly than we expected. They included steps that I had not seen before, and I am very confident that the new shower stall will never leak. They consulted with us each day to be sure they were doing exactly what we wanted, and they were open to making small changes when asked. There was much less mess than we have had in the past, plus they cleaned up very well each day. The bathrooms look beautiful – these guys are real tile artists.

Nancy, Angie’s List Member, Customer

Collins Tile and Stone completely remodeled two 50-year-old bathrooms in our Falls Church home. We were quite impressed with the quality of work and attention to detail. The tile work is impeccable and the fixtures were properly installed the first time. Buck took the time to work through the design issues with us and made recommendations but never pushed for fixtures or work we did not want. His staff is also polite, professional, and easy to work with. If something was not quite right, it was promptly made right. The pricing was very competitive and the few “extras” required by unexpected plumbing issues were quickly addressed at a very reasonable cost. I would not hesitate to use Collins Tile and Stone again or to recommend them to anyone else.

J. Clements, Falls Church, VA, Customer

COLLINS TILE AND STONE renovated my fifty-year-old 5’X7′ basement bathroom. The company exceeded my expectations. Buck Collins provided me with honest, sound technical advice, and referred me to professionals who were knowledgeable and helpful with design, color, and functionality. With its more open design and new window, the finished bathroom looks much larger despite the fact that my budget did not allow for expansion. The combination of ceramic and glass tiles is beautiful. COLLINS TILE AND STONE did a terrific job widening the doorway and adding grip bars to accommodate special needs. When they found the unexpected, they actually fixed the problem, rather than ignoring it or quick-patching it, as so many companies like to do. For fair pricing, quality workmanship, and professional service, I highly recommend COLLINS TILE AND STONE.

G. Harrington, Arlington, VA, Customer

Our first encounter with Buck was when we had him come to our home to do an estimate on regrouting the tiles in our Master and Main Bathrooms. On a handshake, it was agreed that Buck and his crew would complete the work. True to his word, Buck and crew showed on the day and time as promised, completed the job in the timeframe promised and did a such a great job cleaning up after themselves, you almost wouldn’t know they had been there, except for the beautiful “new” look to the tiles. We were completely satisfied with the quality of the work and the professionalism we experienced with this endeavor. Buck’s work ethics and the results of the work he and his crew had done for us was so impressive, we contacted him again several months later. Once again, on a handshake, we agreed to have them install new tile flooring, vanities, mirrors, toilets and lighting in those same two bathrooms. Again, true to their word, a very beautiful, professional job was completed as promised.

Anthony and Rosemary Stadie (Tony and Mimi), Customer

I was especially satisfied with the workmanship all the crew put in on the project. The workers were all highly skilled and they each took the time to get the smallest details right. It shows in the perfect lines of the tile layout and installation. When they found poor design in the original plumbing behind the walls and under the floor, they cut and refit it rather than leaving it in a functional but inefficient condition.

S. Walsh, Customer

Thank you for the great work you and your team did on the two bathrooms you remodeled for us. The tear out and construction process was much easier than I had expected, after hearing some horror stories from friends and colleagues who used other contractors. The finished product is beautiful — wonderful craftsmanship on the tile work as well as the wall and shelves you constructed for us. The vanity, medicine cabinet and commode installation was also well done. Plumbing and electrical working great! You and your guys were a pleasure to work with and I would recommend your outfit to anyone looking for excellent work at a fair price.

G. Gray, Customer

Collins Tile and Stone recently upgraded my two bathrooms. I am delighted with the results. Within three days the job was finished with very little interruption to my daily life. The workmen were polite, efficient, and very neat – – what more could you ask.

D. Quimper, Customer

Expertise, artistry, a fair price and constant communication are the qualities Collins Tile brings to its work. As a homeowner, my first question to anyone is would they hire the contractor again. For Collins Tile, that answer is always, “yes.” In fact, our job kept growing as I kept asking them to do more. And yes, I would hire them again and I have my eye on a project for them to do.

D. Causey, Customer

I wanted to let you know again how much we appreciated your outstanding work in re-building our shower. Your recommendations were spot on, the workmanship was superb and the results are spectacular. We are extremely pleased with the new tile, the shower doors and the shower head fixture. I like the full flow of water. More importantly, the quality of materials and labor are rock solid and we know they will last for a long, long time. It was a pleasure doing business with you and your crew. You can count on me giving anyone you want my highest recommendation. Thanks again for a pleasant experience and superior job.

Eric Utegaard, Customer

Collins Tile & Stone provides the best overall service we have experienced for home improvements! Not only did the professionals help us with design and implementation for our difficult projects, they stuck with us through the whole process, from initial consult to final results. We now have a beautiful bathroom and a warm, clean and cozy family room, with gorgeous heated tile floors and a spanking new fireplace surround. The workmen were professional, clean, and careful. These guys can be trusted to execute the most difficult tasks.

Garry Plagenhoef, Customer

We recently had our basement tiled by Collins Tile & Stone. The experience from start to finish was top-notch and we highly recommend their services. Buck Collins and his team were professional, responsive and friendly. Their pricing was competitive and we appreciated the time Buck took to help us with tile selection, design and overall job requirements. Thank you for all your work and dedication, we appreciate it and hope to work with you all again in the future.

Amy Miller, Customer

I want to thank the Collins Tile and Stone team – you did a great job renovating my very old Arlington bathroom. You took it from 1950’s run down room to a beautiful, spa-like bathroom. I really appreciate Carlos’ tile work – very professional – both in the bathroom and the sunroom. I’ve received lots of compliments. Thanks for a job well done.

KMT, Customer

Collins Tile and Stone saved us from settling for an average kitchen and bar back splash. We had a plan in mind and tile already picked out when we invited Buck Collins over to bid on our project. Buck politely suggested that may be disappointed over time with our selections and offered to set a appointment for us with his designer. That was the turning point in our project. After talking with the designer, Carmen, we hired Collins Tile and Stone to install her beautiful designs. What Collins Tile and Stone built for us is a little beyond a backsplash — and little closer to tile art. The cuts and workmanship are excellent and really bring out the textures and variations in the stones. The Collins electrician integrated lighting into the bar cabinets and under the kitchen counters which really bring out the character of the stone and accents. It is eye catching and will be a conversation piece for years to come. Buck Collins was personally on-site every day of the project. The materials he used were the highest quality — no cut corners. He communicated everything upfront, was always here when he said he would be, and there were no surprises. Great price. Excellent, honest service. Saved us from settling for average.

A Happy Customer, Customer

After much research and several estimates, I hired Collins Tile and Stone to upgrade my kitchen floor from linoleum to ceramic tile. In doing the research, I found not only did Buck offer a very competitive estimate, but he was extremely knowledgeable in the remodeling business as compared to his competitors. Buck and his team did such an amazing job from start to finish installing the kitchen tile that I hired him to do a major remodeling of my master bathroom. Buck and his team were able to remodel my bathroom exactly the way I designed it. Both my kitchen floor and bathroom have turned out beautifully, definitely first class work, and I would recommend them to anyone.

C. Willi, Alexandria, VA, Customer

Buck and his team worked hard to ensure we were happy during each step in the process. Buck’s advice and expertise were invaluable as we tried to design our bathroom. From tile selection, through installation, we had regular communication and always knew what to expect. His team did their best to accommodate a tight timeline during installation, and returned promptly to fix a small problem after completion. We are very happy with the results.

Michael & Stephanie Vatalaro, Customer

Thank you, Buck, Steve, George, Eddie and everyone else at Collins Tile and Stone! We are so very pleased with all of the work that you did for us. We first met the professionals from Collins Tile and Stone when they refurbished our grout in two bathrooms; the result was stunning. Our twenty-four-year-old tiles now look like new! George was great, on time, pleasant, and professional. During our initial estimate for the grout work, we pointed out to Buck that we were feeling wary about the quality of the floor tile job that was done by another company just a week before (they were the lowest bidder…you get what you pay for, apparently). Buck immediately identified problems with the installation of the floor tiles and suggested how it might be fixed, without any pressure to use his company. After being so incredibly impressed with Grout Medic, we contacted Buck again for an estimate to fix the floors. Everything needed to be removed from the poorly refinished bathrooms so that completely new floors could be installed properly. We immediately called Collins Tile and Stone and after talking to Dana and Buck, we knew the job would be done quickly and properly; what a relief. We were loathe to go through another week of bathroom upheaval but Steve and Buck made the entire process quick, efficient, and painless. Steve expertly removed the brand new wooden vanities and counter tops, (one granite, one marble) without a scratch or nick. (We had been told by other potential contractors to expect to purchase new tops in the likelihood that they would be broken upon removal.) Steve even centered the new medicine cabinet and light fixture over the new vanities that the other company left off-center. Once again, the result was stunning. Everything was back exactly as it should have been with perfectly-executed tile floors, no loose grout, no cracking, just beautiful! We know that our project was small compared to the large-scale projects that Collins Tile and Stone is capable of taking on, but we felt that our project was given top priority. The finished work of George, as the Grout Medic and Steve for our bathroom re-remodel both exceeded our expectations. We just can’t thank you all enough for your exceedingly professional, competent, and skillful work. If you are reading this as a prospective client, rest assured you have found your company. You may be able to get your job done on the cheap with someone else…but with Collins Tile and Stone, you have guaranteed peace of mind that the job will be done right the first time!

K. and E. Swartz, Alexandria, VA, Customer

HIGHLY recommended! Professionalism, quality and respect are the cornerstones of this business. This is our second time working with Buck Collins, who assisted us with replacement of damaged tile in our master bathroom, which was no longer being made. No hard sell. He referred us to an excellent designer, and his pleasant staff did a very professional job of installation. Buck was on site daily to make sure of our satisfaction. They are in demand and busy without having to advertise. Well worth the wait. We will call them again for future bathroom redos and tile needs.

J. Fisher, Arlington, VA, Customer

I emailed Collins Tile and Stone and requested an estimate on some repair work. I received an immediate response and Buck came out shortly thereafter to review the damage in my home. He spent time discussing my options and answered all of my questions. By day’s end, he emailed me an estimate. Before meeting with Buck, I had already entertained several contractors who had come to review the damage. One contractor promised an estimate within 48 hours, which didn’t happen. Another contractor told me that I’d have to rip a wall down, which I questioned without receiving satisfactory answers. I hired this company the following day and waited for the materials to arrive. Once the work began, I was very satisfied with the professionalism of the workers and the lengths to which the company went to meet each and every item they had promised, no matter how minor the item. I would highly recommend this company and will hire them again should the need arise.

Alexandria, Va, Customer

I was so pleased with the work done by Collins Tile & Stone. I had originally contacted them through the Grout Medic looking for someone to remove an old tub liner that had been installed years ago. Buck and his team were able to make several suggestions about replacing some of the tile and the backing that had been water damaged due to the tub liner. Their suggestions were reasonably priced and there was no pressure to make it a bigger job, even though we live in a +50 year old house and the tile color in the bathroom was no longer manufactured! Once the tub liner was removed from our grey and black bathroom, I was horrified to discover that the tub was pink! Buck was able to make more suggestions about what to do next and I decided to replace the entire shower area with new tile that would match the old, re-glaze the tub, and change the fixtures. Even though the colors and tile sizes were extremely difficult to match due to the historic tile already up, Steve did an amazing design job and the workmanship was beautiful. It was a wonderful fix that saved us from a complete remodel and I am extremely pleased with the design solutions that we were able to come up with together. The end result is a seamless match to the rest of the bathroom. An extra plug for Steve who showed up on time every day, was personable, polite, and well groomed. I enjoyed working with everyone at Collins Tile & Stone and would whole-heartedly recommend them, especially if you live in an older home with a dated look that needs fixing/replacing.

Anne Bolen, Customer

Count yourself fortunate if you have an opportunity to work with Collins Tile and Stone. Installing a new floor or bathroom is often fraught with anxiety, but you can set your fears aside when you put yourself in the hands of Buck Collins and his crew. Considering the widespread recognition the company has received for its creations, not to mention its winning entry in the Residential Natural Stone category of the Tenth Annual National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) TileLetter Awards, it is almost an understatement to say that Buck will deliver a high-quality product. Customers in Northern Virginia have a right to expect that their projects will be done well and in a timely fashion, and Collins Tile and Stone will not disappoint them. What customers may not expect, however, is the personal service that accompanies every aspect of the job. Phone calls and e-mails are returned promptly, a supervisor is always available to answer questions, and Buck himself visits all work sites on a daily basis. So focused is the attention that you may even be lulled into thinking that you are the only client, when in fact, you are simply one of many discriminating homeowners who have chosen Collins Tile and Stone. Exasperated with subcontractors? Suspicious of temporary laborers? Worry no more, for as the Collins’ team includes carpenters and plumbers as well as master tilers who have all been certified by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, subcontractor delays and incompetent workmanship will be a thing of the past. As should be apparent from his status as an NTCA Five-Star Contractor, Buck actively keeps abreast of the latest technology in the world of tile, and in the unlikely event that he would be unfamiliar with a particular product or technique, he has only to reach out to his numerous connections in the industry for the issue to be solved. Furthermore, Buck plans in advance and executes on schedule, minimizing any potential disruption to your household. Most importantly, perhaps, he also offers a five-year guarantee on his work–a guarantee that is far longer than those provided by the majority of his competitors. Home improvements can be unpredictable and costly; why take a chance on a company with less experience when Collins Tile and Stone will do the job right the first time.

J. Sargeant, Customer

Collins Tile and Stone completed two powder room renovations, replacing toilets, sinks and all fixtures. In one, we had the old tile floor removed and new one installed. The also installed a new kitchen backsplash. I wish there was a scale for A++++ for these guys! From initial contact to planning to final work, Buck, Dana, Steve and the team were helpful, knowledgable and professional. The quality is outstanding and at prices are very reasonable. To top it off, they are nice people! We will do business with them again.

S. Askew, Customer

Working with Collins Tile and Stone was—in a word—FABULOUS! It was evident to me from the moment I met Buck Collins that he is extremely knowledgeable about tile and genuinely passionate about installing it correctly. He spent a great deal of time working with me to identify the perfect tile for our home and then blew me away with the level of detail in the estimate he presented! It wasn’t just a bottom line number—every step of the project was clearly outlined. He also provided phone numbers to verify they were properly insured. Even though they were not the lowest bid I received, I felt confident Collins was the right company for the job. The crew—Charlie, Ben, Carlos, Peter, and Steve—arrived every day on time (7:30 AM!), were always polite, and left the job site (essentially our whole main level) clean and tidy each evening. Buck was there each morning giving me a status update and the plan for that day. He also sent me an email each evening to check on the progress. To say there was constant communication—not to mention confidence on my part that job was being done correctly—would be an understatement. The work Collins did in our home took nearly two weeks to complete, and it could not have gone more smoothly! We are thrilled with the results and cannot say enough good things about Buck Collins and his team at Collins Tile and Stone!

J. Fennell, Customer

If there was a rating higher than excellent, we would give it to Collins Tile and Stone. From the very first time we were visited by Buck to provide us our initial estimate, all the way through job completion, it was a fantastic experience. Remodeling a bathroom can be a rather scary proposition with all of the options and costs. We informed Buck what we were looking for, including several variations. We gave Buck a price range we were looking for and he worked with us to help fit the remodeling job into that budget (and we ultimately feel we didn’t sacrifice anything to get there). He visited us 3 different times to discuss our options and make sure we were all on the same page with what we wanted. He clearly knows his profession inside and out, and we never felt we were being pushed or given a “hard sale” of something we didn’t want or need. He was the only contractor (of the 4 we had estimates from) to look in the basement at floor joist spacing to make sure he recommended the proper product and installation. Work started on the promised start date. His crew was very professional and courteous, and obviously very skilled at what they do. With the master bath upstairs, the crew was careful with drop cloths to ensure any mess and dust was absolutely minimal. We had a crew of 3-4 folks the entire time. We were impressed that Buck himself visited the job site every day, not only to make sure we were aware of what had been done that day and what the plan was for the next day, but also just to discuss the job and ask if we had any questions or issues. Upon demolition of the existing shower, it was discovered that the wall studs were not even close to being even. All studs behind the shower wall were replaced to ensure a quality, long-life shower install. Even though it was not in the baseline job plan, the crew was able to find a way to extend our stand-up shower by 4-5 inches with no impact. They re-centered the drain and shower plumbing to match the extension at no additional cost. The crew paid attention to the planned tile layout, and made several suggestions/recommendations to items that weren’t apparent when the plan was laid out on paper. Removing and installing the new light fixtures (including movement of the boxes and dry wall repair) was an add-on during the work, as was installation of the new exhaust fan, and all were done in an extremely professional manner. We also can’t say enough about Buck’s recommendations for countertop and shower enclosure suppliers. His recommendations were spot-on, and we are as happy as can be with our new bathroom. We must admit that when we started the job, we thought we were looking for “just a tile installation”, but with Collins, we got a whole lot more at a very reasonable price. We have already passed recommendations along to our friends, and will use them again for any future jobs.

E. Wise, Customer

I had two bathroom floors tiled. The work went without a hitch. Buck and his crew, Ben and Abraham, did what was discussed. Their work is beautiful. I am so pleased. They were punctual, courteous, caring and after each work day, everything was clean. I want to thank Buck, Ben and Abraham for their work and would definitely call upon them again for any future jobs.

K. Verlander, Customer

Everything about this project ran smoothly — from estimate, to scheduling, to the work itself. Though this kitchen backsplash was a simple, straightforward project — no expensive tiles or complicated design– it was carried out with the care a much larger job would have received. The work was beautifully done. This company prides itself on not taking shortcuts in either materials or labor that would diminish the quality (not to mention the longevity) of the work. Mr Collins and his tile workers were most helpful, personable, and professional, certainly, but they were also just a pleasure to work with. All my questions were answered with complete explanations. They clearlyenjoy making a design on paper come to life in tile and stone. I really think that we all want to find the most skilled people for work like this, but we are really lucky if we find the artists.

M. Kirkpatrick, Customer

Collins Tile and Stone did an outstanding job on our master bathroom remodel and we would highly recommend them for anyone considering a project that involves installing tile or stone. The tile design was beautiful and the workmanship was superb. They completed the work in the estimated time and within budget. They were thoroughly professional and a pleasure to work with. Buck Collins was very attentive and called and came by everyday to ensure everything was progressing to our satisfaction. Steve, the project manager, is a multi-talented, top notch craftsman. We were very pleased from start to finish.

G. Summerlin, Customer

My experience with Collins Tile and Stone was exceptional. I have never had the pleasure of working with a company that exhibited the knowledge, workmanship, and professionalism that I experienced with Collins Tile and Stone. Buck arrived on time for the initial consultation and he provided a detailed estimate shortly thereafter (within a couple of days if memory serves). His technical knowledge was impressive and his responsiveness to my email inquiries before and during the project was, in most instances, virtually immediate. He would call or email at the end of each work day to ensure the job was progressing as we expected. Buck genuinely cares about your satisfaction and really wants to make the customer happy. The first day of the job the project manager went over the project with me in detail. The crew was meticulous in their work and their attention to detail was incredible. The crew cleaned up at the end of each work day and they kept dust at a minimum. The bottom line is that the crew was top notch and their work was phenomenal. Overall Collins Tile and Stone is a superb company that embodies the old adage “the customer is always right”. I will definitely be contacting them in the future, and would not hesitate in recommending them as a contractor.

Daniel, Angie’s List Member, Customer

My wife and I highly recommend Collins Tile and Stone to anyone planning to remodel a bathroom. They were one of three contractors recommended to us by Architectural Ceramics in Alexandria, VA (a very helpful design resource and tile vendor). After discussing the proposed job with all three contractors and reviewing their submitted bids, we selected Collins Tile and Stone because of the high level of training routinely provided to their entire work staff, the level of Buck Collins’ personal expertise, the detail contained in their proposal and the fact that Collins would purchase all selected materials and in doing so, would pass on the savings that resulted from their buying power with vendors. Collins Tile and Stone started the job on the agreed to date and conducted a complete inventory of all delivered materials. Buck Collins personally reviewed the schedule and what was to be done in a joint meeting with his foreman and myself. He discussed starting times, storage options for materials, and answered all our questions. During the job, Buck sent an email each evening asking us to identify any issues we might have. Each morning he stopped by to review progress, outline what was to be done that day, address identified issues, answer any questions we might have and introduce us to each workman that was to be there that day. Although I was at the house about half the time during the job, Buck’s diligence ensured that we were completely comfortable leaving the workmen in the house alone. They were respectful of our home, cleaned up every day and laid plastic on the floor wherever they walked. They were personable, helpful, respectful and trustworthy. But most important was the skill level of the workforce. They know what they’re doing. They know how to solve problems. They know how to create a bathroom that not only looks terrific, but which will last for a very long time. If you want your bathroom done right, you’d be well advised to give Collins Tile and Stone a hard look. Collins Tile and Stone did a fabulous job on our bathroom and it looks terrific. We couldn’t be happier.

S. French, Angie’s List Member, Customer

Buck Collins and his crew fit us into their busy schedule on short notice to accommodate our accelerated move-in date. We were very familiar with the work of Collins Tile and Stone, because they rebuilt two bathrooms and a powder room and put in a new kitchen floor for us at our former residence over the past six years. Every job was skillfully executed, on time and on budget, so we knew we wanted Buck’s crew back to put in a new kitchen in our new home. Buck arranged to have a kitchen designer, Stephanie Steele, come out to look at the old kitchen. Stephanie worked with us and had good ideas to improve our original renovation concept. At her suggestion we moved the sink, which had been facing a side wall, to a spot under the pass-through, so we could look into the dining room and out the large window beyond when working at the sink. She also suggested an island with a beverage fridge and a place for two bar stools. Although I thought the space too small, it turned out to be a brilliant idea after Buck’s crew put it all together. The work: A new porcelain tile floor, new cabinets, new appliances, new sink (at the new location), a repositioned pass-through (the existing one was too low, making it difficult to see and talk with people in the other room while working in the kitchen), an island, new granite counters, a stone backsplash, new electrical and plumbing. Buck’s crew also knocked out the existing bulkhead and rerouted duct-work to accommodate our taller cabinets. Collins Tile and Stone performed the vast majority of the work, subbing out the plumbing and electrical to skilled professionals they work with regularly. All the work was well done and done on time. Buck’s crew was neat and cleaned up the worksite each day. They were friendly and flexible, making adjustments and coming back to perform additional work we decided to add late in the project. They also established a good relationship with the condo manager and were always conscious of the other residents, keeping their noise to a minimum. I will use Collins Tile and Stone again when I’m ready to renovate the bathrooms in our new place. I recommend them highly.

G. Gray, Angie’s List Member, Customer

The job couldn’t have gone more smoothly. Asbestos tiles had been affixed to the concrete floor so an asbestos abatement company had to do the demolition of the old floor. Buck and company came in and started work the following day, leveled the floor, installed heat mats, and then laid the porcelain tile. Buck and his team carefully explained what would be done at each phase of the project, answer all questions, and finished ahead of schedule. Buck kept in touch by email and phone throughout the work to make sure all was going well. The work was done very professionally, cleanly, and efficiently and the crew were pleasant and responsive to questions. Abraham and a co-worker were responsible for laying the tile and they did a beautiful job. The job was challenging because we were using 6×36 and 9×36 tiles, a task requiring experienced tile men for the job to come out right because the tiles are so long. I was a little concerned about picking out the best color grout to use and Abraham was very helpful in getting something that worked perfectly. The floor came out looking great – it looks really lovely – smooth and flat – everything we hoped it would be. Shawn came in afterwards and installed the 3/4 round and a transition between the tiled floor to a carpeted bedroom to finish off the job. He was very accommodating as to schedule, and came back a second time to replace a small piece of baseboard that had gone missing during demolition. Thank you Buck and thanks to your team. You guys are great to work with!

Abbey MacLean, Leesburg,VA, Customer