b'NTCA FIVE-STARNTCA Five-Star Contractor ReportBy Amber Fox, NTCA Five-Star Program DirectorForthosenotfamiliarwiththeprogram has started to reverify cur-NTCA Five-Star designation, this is arentmembers.Asqualifiedlabor group of NTCA member contractorsgrows,interestinthisgrouphas whohavedemonstratedintegrity,steadilygrownwithit.Because professionalism,andcraftsmanship,theNTCAFive-Starmembersare andhaveaproventrackrecordofauniqueblendofcontractorsof successintileandstoneinstalla- all sizes, labor pools, and special-tion and business management. Thisties,itisimportantforNTCAto reportisanoverviewofdevelop- re-verifythattheyarecontinuing ments in store for the NTCA Five-Starthe practices that are required by Contractor membership this year. theprogramsuchaslicensing, Onekeyfactorthatyoufi ininsurance,safetyprogram,ongo- nd NTCA members overall is a cultureing education, certified labor, etc.ofdedicationtothetileindustry. NTCA members are companies thatOutreach to artisan tile lovethetiletrade,investintrain- manufacturersing,andstayconnectedwithcur- Artisan tile, while often offering rentstandardsandmethods.Manyrare beauty to a space, can some-NTCA Five-Star 2020 objectives willtimesbeachallengetoinstall. worktocultivatethisdedication.Becauseoftheuniquenatureof Theseobjectivesincludethepro- thesespecializedtiles,itisespe-cessofreverifyingNTCAFive-Starcially important that the right con-Members,reachingouttoartisantractorbeinvolvedintheinstal-tile manufacturers, updating the for- lation process. With that in mind, mat of our annual meeting, continu- acontingentofhigh-endNTCA ing to promote qualifi ed labor lan- Five-Star contractors will take part guage, and changing our applicationin an outreach effort to artisan tile requirements and process. manufacturers.Byreachingout tothemanufacturers,theNTCA The importance of reverifyingFive-Star contractors hope to learn members more about their specialized prod-ThisyeartheNTCAFive-Staructs, be better prepared to install 62 TileLetter | April 2020'