--- title: "The F.I.R.M — Tile & Stone | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/tile-and-stone/the-f-i-r-m-pfvwus-pf~126243840 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~126243840.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "The F.I.R.M" category: ["Tile & Stone"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ee63936601a576d6_9745-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "2027 Swazey St., San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States" latitude: 35.2635 longitude: -120.6509 phone: "(805) 440-2050" website: http://www.timothyoates.com rating: 5 review_count: 5 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 44 last_updated: 2026-11-10 --- # The F.I.R.M Original Houzz profile: [The F.I.R.M](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/tile-and-stone/the-f-i-r-m-pfvwus-pf~126243840) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Tile & Stone - **Location:** San Luis Obispo, CA - **Serves:** San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Avila Beach, Santa Margarita, Five Cities - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves The F.I.R.M. Tile \* Mosaic \* Terrazzo Using a standard drywall, plywood/OSB, or concrete subsurface, we apply innovative methods for the installation of large format cement-terrazzo tile units. Appearing seamless, or accented with grout lines or brass/stainless inlay, there is no limit to the variations one can achieve. With a thickness of 3/16" and a maximum 40 ft sq, a tile surface is created to fit your space. Having a base color of ghost white, there is not a color or combination that is out of reach. The final terrazzo surface has a measurable luminescence, due to the exposed aggregate of dolomite crystals. No pre-ordering - No shipping of product - No over/underestimating - No lead time We have been serving San Luis Obispo and advancing this process for 17 years. : A ceramic and mosaic tile contractor prepares surfaces as necessary and installs glazed wall, ceramic, mosaic, quarry, paver, faience, glass mosaic and stone tiles; thin tile that resembles full brick, natural or simulated stone slabs for bathtubs, showers and horizontal surfaces inside of buildings, or any tile units set in the traditional or innovative tile methods, excluding hollow or structural partition tile. ### Services Provided - Custom Countertops - Tile Installation - Backsplash Installation - Countertop Installation - Tile Repair - Tile Countertops - Countertop and Tile Sealing - Concrete Countertops - Grout Cleaning and Sealing ### Areas Served - San Luis Obispo - Atascadero - Los Osos - Morro Bay - Cayucos - Avila Beach - Santa Margarita - Five Cities ### Typical Job Cost $1,000 - 10,000 This innovative installation method is far more affordable that you may think. The sky is the limit, but it won't cost you the moon and the stars. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | The F.I.R.M | | Address | 2027 Swazey St., San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States | | Phone | (805) 440-2050 | | Website | http://www.timothyoates.com | | License Number | \#816018 | | Followers on Houzz | 44 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [The F.I.R.M](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/tile-and-stone/the-f-i-r-m-pfvwus-pf~126243840) - **Website:** http://www.timothyoates.com - **Phone:** (805) 440-2050 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - C54 contractor - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews** ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — Sheryl Chesnut, Sept. 2016** > We recently purchased a 1970s home that had never had anything done to it; it was ready for a complete remodel! As there is a lot of wood throughout the home, we really (really) wanted concrete flooring in the kitchen. The house is multilevel and is completely on raised foundation. I was told by builders, designers and contractors that we could not have a concrete floor without having it crack. We looked into very large porcelain tile with a concrete look. The price to lay large tiles was exorbitant, and it was a compromise. We heard about Tim Oates and The FIRM from a contractor who uses him. They both assured us that Tim's custom mortar blend, while it looks like–and actually better than concrete–will not crack. The results are amazing! Tim's custom mortar blend floors are my favorite part of our whole remodel. We ended up having him do a fireplace surround, bathroom floor and shower floor as well. He color matched each area perfectly, he was a pleasure to work with, he came back and did a number of alternating sealants on the floors. They are so beautiful and truly a work of art. As I have worked in kitchen and bath design and have done a number of remodels I know a great product and craftsman when I work with them. We will have him come back and do a family room floor and two more showers. **★★★★★ — kristihoop, Oct. 2014** > Timothy Oates is a true artist when it comes to acrylic concrete work. He installed two showers, a tub surround, a fireplace surround, and two floors in our new house. Each one is a custom color that he perfectly matched to the tile and granite I had picked out. He helped us come up with a design solution for our fireplace to make it work in an awkward space between an existing picture window and a media cabinet. He also helped us integrate our master bath tub and shower in a way I couldn't have imagined, but which works perfectly. All the lines are super clean where the concrete meets the walls and floors. The surface of the concrete has variation in it which hides soap scum and dust, yet it is super smooth to the touch and really easy to clean. I am so excited to have no grout to clean in my showers! Tim spent the time necessary to get to know my taste and explain his process to me, and his price was very fair. He worked around our contractor, painter, and wood floor installer to make it as easy as possible for the job to run smoothly, and he always came when he said he would. It's obvious that Tim takes real pride in his work, and we couldn't be happier that we chose him and his specialty product for our showers, fireplace surround, and laundry and bathroom floors! **★★★★★ — jesskwilcox, June 2013** > The FIRM was great to work with, I couldn't be happier with my remodeled Living room (floors & fireplace) and 2 bathrooms. Tim has a great design sense and the quality is amazing! **★★★★★ — Kristie Barry, June 2013** > I had a great experience using the Firm with the remodel of my pool house. The concrete floors and mother of pearl counters turned out fantastic. Both the floors and counters are a seamless contemporary design that really updated the space. The price was very fair when compared to granite or quartz, plus with this product you get a "one of a kind" look. The product is also very low maintenance. The project was completed in a very timely manner without sacrificing quality or workmanship. **★★★★★ — pamschaefer, June 2013** > When we wanted to replace our old bathtub with a walk-in shower, we contacted a friend of our daughter's who does interior concrete work. The idea was to make a Tahoe style shower with a tile story board and river rock floor. The work was completed in 14 days! The colors were finalized 5 days into the project when the river rock and story board tiles arrived. The day before we started, we realized that the vanity top had to go. Tim had enough material on hand to do the added work, and we couldn't be happier. The glass screen is enough to keep the water splash at bay, and the step down basin feels so nice to descend into. The entire project came in at $9,000.00. The were no surprises, and Tim allowed to make alterations along the way. ## Selected projects - [Oatmeal Bath](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oatmeal-bath-pj-vj~256805) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 9 - [Spanish Hacienda](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spanish-hacienda-pj-vj~244730) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 11 - [Dana Strand](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dana-strand-pj-vj~247001) - Location: Dana Point, CA - Photos: 20 - [Catalina](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/catalina-pj-vj~6158091) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 36 - [Sylvia Chimney](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sylvia-chimney-pj-vj~312882) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Alabaster Fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/alabaster-fireplace-pj-vj~247144) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 5 - [New Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-ranch-pj-vj~247171) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Baron Canyon](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/baron-canyon-pj-vj~6158272) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [ADA Restroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ada-restroom-pj-vj~1267062) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Craftsman Shower](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-shower-pj-vj~247034) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 6 - [Lake Tahoe Shower](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-tahoe-shower-pj-vj~247032) - Location: Lake Tahoe, CA - Photos: 7 - [Modern Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-bathroom-pj-vj~256866) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 11 - [Deep-Plumb Vessel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/deep-plumb-vessel-pj-vj~256923) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 4 - [Turkish Fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/turkish-fireplace-pj-vj~256991) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 4 - [Bed and Breakfast](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bed-and-breakfast-pj-vj~6157890) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/tile-and-stone/the-f-i-r-m-pfvwus-pf~126243840) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-10.*