Tiling Services and Information on Tile Projects

Tile Service Prices

My Prices         Average Labor Price

**$3 per sq.ft.   Remove Tile Flooring 

                           $2-7 per sq.ft.  

**$9 per sq.ft.   Install Tile  

                           $7-19 per sq.ft. 

**$18 per sq.ft.   Install Backsplash 

                            $23-35 per sq.ft. 

**$3 per sq.ft.   Install Underlayment 

                           $2-7 per sq.ft. 

**$220  Each Room Carpet Removal 

             Includes Disposal fee 

TILE INFORMATION

Tile Flooring Cost Per Square Foot

Tile flooring costs range between $7 and $24 per square foot with most homeowners spending $10 to $15 per square foot. The lowest cost floors are ceramic at an average cost of $10 per square foot, while marble floors will be $20 per square foot or more. Tiling a shower or bathroom walls run from $7 to $25 per square foot, while installing a tile backsplash costs $23 to $35 per square foot.

Total cost of tile floor installation

The average price of tile floor installation is $13–65 per square foot, including materials and labor. To install a tile floor in a 170-square-foot space (about the size of a typical kitchen or very large bathroom), you can expect to pay $2,200–11,050. Most homeowners spend around $3,000 on a tile floor project.  

Cost To Install Tile Shower

The average cost to install tile in a shower is $8 to $40 per square foot, depending on the size, material, design, and labor. The cost to tile a walk-in shower is $800 to $3,000. Large walk-in showers or high-end tile costs up to $10,000 to retile.

Cost To Tile A Tub Surround

The average cost to tile a tub surround is $1,000 to $3,500 or between $12 and $35 per square foot for both materials and professional installation. Another option is to install a pre-built tub or shower surround with prices ranging from $200 to $800.

Cost To Tile Bathroom Walls

The average cost to tile bathroom walls is between $7 and $25 per square foot. The typical bathroom is 5 feet by 8 feet, and if one wall is covered in cabinets and another wall has a bath or shower with its own tiles, the average cost for tiling the remaining two bathroom walls is $1,690 with prices ranging from $780 to $2,600. Cement backer board will also need to be installed behind bathroom tiles, and each 5’ by 3’ sheet averages $11.50 for the materials.

Cost To Install Tile Backsplash

The cost to install a tile backsplash in your kitchen will range from $23 to $35 per square foot depending on the materials you select. Tile backsplash installation prices range from $460 to $1,400 with most homeowners spending between $600 and $1,200. Your rate depends on the amount of square footage to be tiled, the type of tile being used.

Kitchen Countertop Tile Cost

The cost to install tile countertops in the kitchen ranges from $31 to $93 per square foot on average. Quartz and Granite tile countertops cost $70 per square foot on average, while laminate is around $31 per square foot.

Price Of Installing Tile Over Existing Flooring

A professional contractor will always remove the existing flooring first before installing new tile. The cost to remove the old flooring averages $3.36 per square foot.

Cost to Remove and Retile a Floor

Tile replacement costs $5 to $8 per square foot in labor. You will also need to replace the backer board at an average cost of $6 per square foot in addition to the tile materials.

Tile floor installation costs are greatly influenced by the material you select. If you plan to remain in your home for a long time, you might want to choose a more expensive option to ensure longevity. Since 50% of the cost of tile floor installation is labor, it makes sense to choose a durable, long-lasting material so you won’t have to replace your floor.  

Here are the most common types:

Ceramic tile flooring is versatile, durable, and relatively affordable. It’s available with a glossy, stain-resistant glaze, or unglazed for a more textured, slip-resistant finish. You can use ceramic tile for kitchen, bathroom, and porch floors (although it’s not as durable underfoot as porcelain tile), as well as backsplashes and countertops. Average cost (materials only): $0.50–35 per square foot.

Porcelain tile is denser and more durable than ceramic tile, making it a better (but more expensive) choice for floors with heavy foot traffic. Porcelain has a lower water-absorption rate than ceramic tile, so it’s often used for kitchen floors, bathroom floors, and porches. Tiles with a stain-resistant glaze are available, but that’s less important than with ceramic tile. Average cost (materials only): $3–35 per square foot.

Marble tile and other natural-stone tile materials, such as travertine, are durable and elegant-looking. Since these are high-end flooring materials, homeowners can expect to pay more. These can also be more expensive to install than other types. Average cost (materials only): $8–45 per square foot. 

Labor accounts for about half the total price of floor tile installation. Professional tile installers may charge in two different ways:

• By area. Average cost is $5–10 per square foot for indoor installation, and $10–15 per square foot for outdoor installation (because it requires extra effort, such as preparing the area by filling holes and gaps).
• By time. The average rate is $30–100 per hour (professional installation usually takes at least 10 hours, and sometimes more).

The following factors can increase installation time and labor costs:

• A need to remove old flooring (this adds around $2 per square foot)
• Poor condition of the surface to be tiled 
• Irregular room shape (which requires more cut-to-fit tiles)
• Small tile size (larger tiles are easier and faster to to install)

Tile installation costs can also vary according to these elements:

• Tile rating. The PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating, found in the manufacturing details of most (but not all) tiles, rates durability on a scale of 1–5. A higher PEI is often associated with a higher price. For residential floors, a rating of at least PEI 3 is recommended.
  
• Variation rating. This rates color variation from tile to tile. Tiles with the fewest variations are more expensive, but some (although not all) homeowners prefer an even appearance. Check the manufacturer’s information.
  
• Additional materials. Depending on type of tile, location, and size of project, your installation cost will include materials such as cement backer board, grout, sealant, and underlayment (a cushioning or sound-absorbing material installed under the tiles).

Additional Cost Considerations

Unless you are tiling a brand-new house, it would be normal to expect additional costs.

Remove Old Floors – Old flooring might need to be taken up first to lay the tile. If this is the case, that will cost an average of $3.36 per square foot.

Concrete Repair – Concrete floors might need to be repaired. The surface needs to be completely flat at the cost of around $3 per square foot.

Subfloor – If the concrete is too damaged, your contractor may instead install a subfloor for $2.10 per square foot before installing your new tile floor.

Subfloor Repairs – If there is already a subfloor in place and it needs some repairs before the tile goes in, you can expect to pay between $37 to $56 per square foot for repairs.

Backing Board – If the tile is going into a bathroom or any area that will experience moisture daily, a concrete backing board will need to be installed, and that will usually cost around $6 per square foot.

Cost Of Backer Board For Tile

Backerboard materials cost an average of $11.50 for one sheet of 5’ by 3’, and another $5 per square foot to install, which translates to $6 per square foot total.

DIY Vs. Hiring a Tile Installer

The savings from doing a tile installation yourself may not be as significant you might expect. You may save on the project cost line item when it comes to contractor labor, but they already have all the right tools, and will have a lot less waste tile from bad cuts than you will. They’ll also install it much faster at a higher quality, at a cost slightly higher than you can do yourself.

Another downside is the potential for poor work because of a lack of experience. The problems that may occur are:

Raised tiles

Cracked tiles

Loose tile

Not having a finish you are happy with because of complicated cuts around corners

Here are some ways to reduce the cost of tile floor installation: 

• Remove old flooring yourself. You may be able to uninstall existing carpet or linoleum on your own, for a savings of about $2 per square foot.
  

How much does it cost to install floor tile per square foot?

The average cost range for tile floor installation is $13–65 per square foot, including materials and labor. The final cost can depend on several factors, including tile size and where it will be installed.

What’s the labor cost to install floor tile?

Labor costs for tile floor installation average $5–15 per square foot or $30–100 per hour, depending on type of tile, area to be tiled, and prep work needed.

How much does it cost to tile a 12×12 floor?

The minimum cost of tiling a floor that’s 12×12, or 144 square feet, is around $1,800. The final price depends on a variety of factors, including material and labor costs, the floor’s location, and the contractor’s labor rate.

Is pulling up carpet toxic? Exposure to Chemicals

Dust particles created from the removal of flooring, tile and more can contain chemicals known as crystalline silica. According to the United States Department of Labor, “Silica dust is hazardous when very small (respirable) particles are inhaled. 

Most professionals will charge based on the square footage of the project area. The larger the area that needs to be tiled, the lower the cost per square foot. To figure out the area that will be tiled, measure the length and multiply by the width. For example: 10-foot by 12-foot room = 120 square feet. It’s always helpful to slightly overestimate to allow for broken tiles or unusually shaped cuts.

Labor can cost from $3 to $15 per square foot. Labor to install a tile floor costs between $7 and $19 per square foot and $23 to $35 per square foot for backsplashes and countertops. The square footage will usually determine labor prices, but some professionals may charge by the hour. If that’s the case, prepare to pay between $60 to $120 per hour, depending on the project.

The more prep work needed before tile can be installed, the more expensive the project will be. Installing tile on a smooth and even surface will take less time and require minimal prep compared to tiling over old and uneven flooring. Flooring that needs to be removed and replaced or walls and countertops that need repair will raise the overall price of the project.

Tile Classifications 

• Class I. Class I tiles are not strong enough to use as flooring, and they should only be used as wall tiles.
• Class II. These tiles are best suited for light-traffic areas, such as bathrooms.
• Class III. Class III tiles can be used for countertops, walls, and areas with average foot traffic.
• Class IV. These tiles can be used in any area of the home.
• Class V. Class V tiles are the most durable and are recommended for industrial or commercial use.

Tiles can also be classified by their porosity. Porosity refers to how many air pockets the tile has. Tile porosity is rated by what degree it is glass-like (or vitreous). The more porous a tile is, the more absorbent it is. Tiles that have a high level of absorbance are better suited to areas that don’t have a lot of moisture. There are four levels of tile porosity.

• Non-vitreous tile. Non-vitreous tile costs between $1 and $5 per square foot. Some examples of this absorbent tile are terra cotta and bisqueware. Since it’s the most absorbent, it’s best suited for wall tiling or for use as decorative touches.
• Semi-vitreous tile. Semi-vitreous tile is most commonly used in areas outside of the bathroom. The average cost runs from $4 to $8 per square foot.
• Vitreous tile. Vitreous tile can cost between $4 and $8 per square foot. It’s most often used in bathrooms except for shower areas. Vitreous tile is water resistant on its surface, but not on the back or sides. Repeated exposure to moisture or direct contact with water over an extended period of time could affect the water resistance.
• Impervious tile. Impervious tile is the most glass-like and is the least absorbent. It works best in areas of high moisture with direct water exposure. This type of tile runs from $5 to $10 per square foot.

Tile installation costs will be different depending on where the tile is placed. Kitchen backsplash or countertop tile installation typically costs more than flooring tile. If you’re installing tile in a high-moisture area or a location with direct water contact, the tile needs to be nonporous. Typically, the more vitreous the tile, the more expensive it is.

When budgeting for tile installation, there are usually additional price factors and considerations. These can include other materials, subfloor repair and installation, and geographic location.

Backer board will need to be installed if you have a wood subfloor. Since wood will warp if exposed to excessive moisture, it’s not the ideal base for tile installation. Backer board supplies a level and solid cement surface to lay the tile, and it’s commonly used in bathrooms. Backer board can cost between $5 and $8 per square foot and is usually included in the overall cost of labor.

If the existing subfloor needs repair, it can average $40 to $65 per square foot. If a concrete subfloor needs to be resurfaced, expect to pay an extra $3 to $10 per square foot for additional costs. Additional labor hours and materials are needed to level the floor and make sure it’s a smooth surface for the tile installation. In order to make the subflooring ready for the tile, the installer must fill any holes or cracks while also ensuring that the subfloor is clean and dry. Next, a latex primer needs to be applied to prepare the surface for installation. Finally, the installer needs to make sure the subflooring is level and use a self-leveling compound if needed.