I replaced the floor with thicker materials (hardiebacker between tile and underneath sub floors. there are two layers of plywood so I used screw to fasten them again).

(some states sell tax deeds and you are buying the house outright) Then you may also need to do a quiet tile action.

I am looking to finish my basement and finish my terrace (pedestal system with ipe tiles).

Over the next 2 weeks we will have our tile floors installed in Kitchen/Bath, Support Beam installed, new walls completed, and kitchen cabinets installed. 

We don’t touch electrical, HVAC and plumbing projects, we don’t build new structures, but we can do quite a lot on our own; including tile work, drywall work, flooring, kitchen, any finish work essentially.

The usual suspects that are exempt from a permit are: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

Find out where they get materials and supplies and call the supplier for a reference.

The 2K+ sqr ft homes just cost too much to keep up.For flooring, we have moved away from carpet and use mostly tile or vinyl plank.  

In CA, and in my practice, subs cannot go inside my project site without registering their suppliers or another sub-tier, lets go back a bit, you as a homeowner, should NOT allow subs if there is no documentation that your prime is working with the sub, and you should issue the checks on the name of the SUB and PRIME. if you don't want this route, just register the subs and have the prime issue you a conditional waiver then after you pay him, give a penalty clause of $50/day if after 7 days he wont issue a unconditional waiver, have him sign something for every received check the minute you hand it to him.

Built in surround or tile?