Before you trowel on the mortar, sweep the floor clean. Calculate how many tiles you need in each layout grid and stack them around the room closest to each section. That way you won't have to go back and forth for new tiles when you start laying each grid.

Sort through all the tile boxes to make sure the dye lots match and separate out any chipped tiles. Use these for cut pieces.

If you are installing saltillo or handmade tile, its color may be consistent within each carton but vary from box to box. Sort through the tiles; at each layout grid mix some from each box. Doing so spreads the colors evenly in the room and keeps them from occurring in patches.

Prestart Checklist

Time
About an hour to trowel and set 4 to 6 square feet (varies with tile size)

Tools
Mortar mixing paddle, 1/2-inch electric drill, notched trowel, 4-foot level, beater block, hammer or rubber mallet, utility knife, sponge

Skills
Mixing with power drill, troweling

Prep
Install backerboard, clean surface, snap layout lines

Materials
Five-gallon bucket, thinset, tile, spacers, 3/4-inch plywood squares

1. Dry-lay your tile with spacers on each axis. When the layout is square and even, mark the floor at several junctures of the grout lines. Take up the tile and snap a chalkline at the centermost pair of marks.

Continue to snap chalklines across the surface of the floor at points that represent the edges of the tile. These layout lines will serve as guides to help you keep each course straight and square with the room.