It had been almost 15 years since Charlie fabricated and installed the Costa Esmerelda Granite in our gorgeous kitchen remodel, but every project he did since then just got better with time and Charlie's vast experience! So when we called Charlie again this past summer to show him our master bathroom remodeling plans, it seemed impossible that he would have time to squeeze in the job on pretty short notice! What makes this tile and stonework artist a stand out is not just his keen aesthetic sense and superlative communication skills, but Charlie's sheer energy, always a fount of enthusiasm, even when the project gets dicey with the missteps of others! On this last remodel, it occurred to me how Charlie could deliver such excellent design, fabrication, and beyond-confident installation, wow, coming in near the low bid! It is his blinding efficiency. Charlie never cuts corners. But he is just so good at his craft he can get the job done so much faster without sacrificing precision. Charlie is more than a contractor -- even a skilled general contractor if the scope calls for that -- but he is an excellent designer, and over the years we have learned to trust his judgment. Charlie has earned that trust. What we appreciated so much is that Charlie will go the extra distance to make sure the finished product meets the highest standards. Our tile sub wound up installing some tile bulging slightly at the top of the pony wall that changed the spec on the quartz top that had already been cut to plan. So when the fabricated pony wall top was first installed, the overhang was just slightly short on one side by a fraction of an inch. Charlie immediately called the guy at the shop, who dropped everything and cut a new piece which Charlie installed the next day without hesitation, and even a smile. We worked with several subs on this remodel, but I could not recommend a single one without reservation, like Charlie. When it comes to countertops, tile, and stonework we-lova Ilova! read more

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Charlie Ilova is an outstanding contractor. When we were gathering bids for our kitchen quartz countertop, he was the only one who showed up in person. From the start, he guided us through the process with clear explanations, thoughtful suggestions, and a willingness to really listen to our needs--all while offering a very reasonable quote. Our kitchen had irregular counters and walls, but Charlie's installation made the finishes look flawless. He skillfully joined seams in both the countertop and backsplash so that they're practically invisible. Beyond his craftsmanship, Charlie is reliable--he shows up when he says he will, works efficiently, keeps the space clean, and to top it off, he is a genuinely kind person. We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend him to anyone looking for quality work and a contractor they can trust. read more

We recently completed a full bathroom remodel following a flood. We were so fortunate to have been introduced to Charlie Ilova. We are beyond thrlled with the work that he did and for a very reaonsable price. Charlie is very communicative, neat as a pin, has impecccable taste, and is a true artisan. He moved and installed new plumbing, completed meticulous tile work on the floor (herringbone pattern), laid handmade Zellige tile on an entire wall and in the shower nook, installed a new bathtub and toilet, expertly installed scones and overhead lighting, and fabricated and installed gorgeous Quartzite countertops on four vanity areas. We could not recommend Charlie any higher. He created a true spa-like environment for us while helping to facilitate our claim with our insurance company. read more

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Charlie did a fantastic job on my half bath laundry room. He is extremely professional and communicative. Showed up when he said he would, and always does the job right and without cutting any corners. This is my first review for him and it is long overdue. Not only do I recommend him to my friends, this was not the first time I've hired him. He is an absolute artist when it comes to tile and stone work. To put it simply I have trouble finding the seams in my kitchen counter top, even after Charlie showed me where they are. read more

We love our master bath remodel. Charlie was great to work with. He listened to what we wanted, made some helpful suggestions, and is a perfectionist at creating "that look" we wanted. I would highly recommend him. read more

It is not easy now to find reliable and quality contractors. Charlie (Ilova Tiles) are top notch. I had a different contractor who didn't finish the job, and Charlie came to my rescue. They got my kitchen and bathroom done for me. Charlie excel in all aspects of the job - proposal, communication, commitment, work quality - all are excellent. Couldn't recommend them highly enough. read more

Ilova Tiles - Countertop Installation Near Me - San Leandro, California

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ILova Tiles and Charlie, the owner, is the BEST! He is so responsive, answers texts at any time, will return calls (even when he is on vacation), and completely professional. I hired Charlie to replace my kitchen counter and backsplash and I am absolutely delighted with the results. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. First and foremost, Charlie was incredibly professional and courteous throughout the entire process. He and his assistant arrived promptly at the scheduled time and were well-prepared with all the necessary tools and materials. His attention to detail is truly impressive. He meticulously cut the quartz that we chose and even made a lovely matching window sill. He also installed new tile on our backsplash. Not only was the work executed flawlessly, but Charlie went above and beyond to ensure that the finished product exceeded my expectations. Furthermore, Charlie demonstrated a profound level of expertise and craftsmanship, evident in the quality of his workmanship. It was evident that he took great pride in his craft and is committed to delivering nothing but the best results. Beyond his technical skills, Charlie exhibited exceptional professionalism and respect for my home. He took great care to minimize disruption during the repair process and left the workspace clean and tidy upon completion. Overall, I cannot speak highly enough of Charlie's expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. Thanks to his outstanding work, my kitchen looks better than ever, and I would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone in need of any home work. He truly exceeded my expectations in every regard, and I am incredibly grateful for his outstanding service. I am planning to have him come back to remodel my bathroom soon! In regards to this, I was having trouble coming up with ideas for my bathroom. Charlie allowed my husband and me to come over to his home and see all the wonderful work he has done in his house to give us some ideas. He is truly a rare find in the construction business! You will not find anyone that is so wonderful to work with! read more

Ilova Tiles - Countertop Installation Near Me - San Leandro, California

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We had an excellent experience with Ilova Tile from start to finish. They did a great job installing quartz countertops and backsplash in our kitchen. The finished product is amazing! Charlie, the owner, is professional, responsive, and very helpful. He goes above and beyond to make sure that everything is done correctly and turns out beautifully. He and his workers paid attention to detail, and took care of all the plumbing and electrical issues. They showed up everyday they said they were going to...on time and ready to go. Very hard workers and skillful. All for a good price! We would happily highly recommend to others. We will definitely use them again! read more

Charlie did the counter tops in our kitchen and bathrooms and we are 100% satisfied with his materials and service. We would definitely use him again. Plus, he is a pleasure to work with! read more

Charlie replaced our kitchen counters and they came out absolutely beautiful. He has a lot of skill and we appreciated his attention to detail. He is also very prompt in getting back to you. He is a true artist. Mary & Tim West read more

AMAZING!! We have an older home. The walls and cabinets are not 100% level and square. Charlie's and his team made it work and the countertops look better than we could have hoped for. Charlie is very detail oriented and a perfectionist...just like me. My wife and I are not easy to please and we've had our fair share of problems with home contractors...but not these guys. So happy!! Thanks Charlie. read more

What can I say, not only is Charlie and phenomenally nice human being, he is also amazing with tile work. Charlie installed a kitchen countertop and backsplash for my parents, so I knew when I was redoing my kitchen he was my guy. Charlie is responsive, efficient, fairly priced, and very skilled at his work. I had him install my kitchen backsplash, and I am beyond thrilled with it. When the time comes for my bathroom tub to be redone, I will be reaching out to him again. Can't recommend him enough. read more

We got Charlie's name from Coliseum Tile to install our tile floor. We liked him so much that we fired our contractor, large company, and had Charlie do all three of our bathrooms. He does excellent work, shows up when he says (rare with contractors) and really cares about what he does. He goes above and beyond. We would recommend Charlie for any job you need done, you won't be disappointed! read more

Charlie the owner of ILova Tiles made our Kitchen Dreams come true. He helped us plan the perfect counter design. From the start to finish Charlie was instrumental is planning from the sink size to choosing the right counter stone. His eye for the smallest details shows and professionalism is such a pleasure to work with. We get so many compliments from friends. Consider yourself lucky to have found Charlie and his wonderful company. We for one are looking forward to having Charlie come back and help with future bathroom remodels. Thank you Charlie. Happy in Alamo. read more

Ilova Tiles - Kitchen counters and tile back wall - Countertop Installation Near Me - San Leandro, California

Charlie saved our bathroom remodel. We had a lot of problems with the previous contractor cutting and breaking our large format tiles. We almost had to pick different tiles altogether. However, with Charlie's skill and expertise, we got to use the tiles we originally wanted for the shower walls and vanity counter. He even helped us talk to 2 different tile suppliers to get what we wanted. He was kind enough to join me on multiple conference calls with the tile suppliers and even got one of them to give me a refund. I am so grateful at how committed he is to customer satisfaction. He knew what we wanted and he did his best to help us achieve our goal. He also installed our shower panel door and ADA bars to ensure that the tiles will not get damaged. We love love love our bathroom! Everyday I keep seeing new details showing how much thought Charlie put into the tile placements, like how the 2 tiles on our vanity countertop matches almost perfectly on both sides and how the veining pattern on the tiles flow from wall to wall. I would recommend Charlie to anybody doing a bathroom or kitchen remodel. He is not your typical contractor. He gets back to you in a very timely manner, shows up when he says he is going to and truly tries his damnedest to make you happy and have your vision come true. We will definitely call him again when we do our other bathroom. read more

You'll love ILOVA TILES! Charlie came by, and we had a few ideas, but we were not prepared for the professionalism and sound advice that he gave us. He listened, assessed the space, and delivered above and beyond expectations. He also got the right countertops at the right price for us. Business dealing can be awkward with some, but not with Charlie--he was always straight-forward about cost and service provided. He even went above and beyond to ensure that once the countertop was installed we were happy with the work. He also PERFECTLY blended the seam. I have a lot of friends where the seam between surfaces is disappointing and you can feel it when you run your finger over it--not so with Charlie's work, it is smooth as butter!! I'll give you $5 if you can find the seam. Very highly reccomended. A+++ work, price and speed. read more

Ilova Tiles - Closeup of countertops - Countertop Installation Near Me - San Leandro, California

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Charlie Ilova of Ilova Tiles is quite simply...THE BEST!! His work is beautiful and he is an honest, caring gentleman! His attention to detail is incredible. He is a pleasure to work with and always keeps his word! I would recommend Charlie without hesitation. read more

I have seen some of the work Charlie has done and I am amazed. If you are looking for someone to remodel he is the person you need to call.

Charlie helped me remodel 2 bathrooms and install a kitchen backsplash. The work was immaculate and on budget. For the high quality of work, you'll be hard pressed to find a better contractor! read more

If I could give Charlie at ILOVA TILE 10 stars I would. I spent 34 years in the commercial building business. When talking to trades I am aware of positive things to pick up on as well as red flags to stay away from. I talked to 5 different companies. I knew when I finished my conversation with ILOVA TILE that I would be choosing Charlie to do my project . To start he is the owner and he was the one that answered the phone. That's not critical but it's a nice touch. He didn't immediately try to "sell me" or become my buddy but he just emitted a confident can-do attitude. I received his quote promptly and he was one of three lower bids I could have picked from. There was no doubt in my mind that Charlie would be doing my project. His can-do attitude was completely backed up by his knowledge, expertise and pride in his work. He followed through on each and every item exactly as he promised. Most importantly my kitchen counters look absolutely flawless. Charlie is the real deal for professionalism with a very personalized touch. I knew he was my guy after 2 minutes of conversation and not once did he prove me wrong read more

Charlie's work was fine but I felt cheated or scammed on my project. First, he measured the area needed for the backsplash of plain 3" x 6" white subway tiles which were to be installed by the general contractor and not by him. He first said the subway tiles would cost $1,000 which he wanted in advance and which I paid. He later said the subway tiles cost only $700 and "credited" $300 toward the countertop installation. Had 1 full box (10.65 sq ft) and 2/3 of a box of subway tile left over. When I contacted him about returning at least the full box to the store, he did not have a satisfactory response except to say 1) it was a "special order" (which I didn't authorize or even know about because it was readily available plain white subway tile) or 2) there would be a 25% restocking fee. He said he would contact the store where he bought it and get back to me. I never heard from him again. I understand contractors charge 10-20% above the wholesale price for the materials and expected to pay that. He appears to have charged me more than 300% of what I later found out was the wholesale price. He never gave me the supplier's invoice. If he made a mistake in measuring, that is not something the customer should pay for. And if he overspecified the tile that was needed to make an extra buck, well not good. Second, with respect to the countertop, he made a representation of the slab cost. He wanted the material cost paid in advance which I paid. Again, I expected to pay a 10-20% markup on materials. He quoted a lump sum for the installation. When I later did the math after seeing the time spent on fabrication and installation, it appears he charged $400-$450 per hour for labor. I certainly don't mind paying a fair price for labor and understand the installation of countertops requires a certain degree of skill. After the project was done, I wrote a letter to Charlie explaining my concerns and asking for a refund for the subway tile I didn't need (of course offering to give the tile back to him for use on another job) and a price adjustment for the countertop. The letter has been ignored. He didn't even extend the professional courtesy to call me to discuss the situation. Nor did he provide the supplier's invoices to show my assessment of the situation was wrong. Would I recommend him to someone else or use him again? Absolutely Not. I have spoken with the general contractor who had worked with him in the past and on my project. He too was very disappointed in Charlie and said he had a negative experience with him recently on another project. read more

Charlie is a fabulous contractor and we had a great experience with him. We could not be happier with the work that Charlie did in our home and in our dealings with him. Charlie put us completely at ease and made the remodel pleasant. He completely remodeled our master bathroom and a new fireplace in the family room. This was major remodeling jobs which included removing walls and reconfiguration of pluming. He kept us informed each step of the way and was willing to accommodate to our schedule when needed. He kept everything neat and clean without any inconveniences. You won't be sorry in working with Charlie. He is an absolute professional. read more