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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 

**$220  Each Room Carpet Removal Includes Disposal fee 

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

 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.  

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).

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.