Tile is a beautiful, durable material that adds a fresh, new look to any space. If you’re considering installing tile in your home, it’s important to know the total tile installation cost to stay within your budget. Whether you’re looking for tile made of natural stone or materials like porcelain or ceramic, this guide covers a variety of topics, including the labor cost for tile installation, material costs per square foot, and more.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What you can expect | |||||
Range per square foot: | $12.03 | $18.51 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $1,443 | $2,221 | |||
Estimate: $1,832 | |||||
Tile Flooring Material Cost | 128 square feet | $185 | $243 | ||
This is the cost for residential grade finishes. Includes the following on average: Glazed ceramic 12 x 12 inch tiles, Tile approved for moderate to heavy traffic, Delivery of materials and Waste Overage and enough to be used for repairs | |||||
Tile Flooring Installation Basic Labor Cost | 15 hours | $1,088 | $1,766 | ||
The price of labor associated with installing flooring. Duties may include: Plan creation, Surface prep, Prearrangement and Cleaning duties, Assessment of the layout area, Surface prep, Creation, and Installation of backer board, Create tile patterning, Fabrication with thinset mortar, Measure, cut, fasten tiles and Clean the surface areas and apply grout | |||||
Tile Flooring Installation Job Supplies | 128 square feet | $118 | $135 | ||
Supplies and Materials needed to complete the tiling job effectively include: Selected underlayment, Secure fasteners, Professional grade sealants, Proper adhesive and Fabrication and polishing materials | |||||
Tile Flooring Installation Equipment Allowance | 1 job | $52 | $78 | ||
Equipment needed to correctly cut, measure and install flooring: 3 inch belt sander, 3 1/4 inch planer, Precision finish nailer, 10 inch miter saw and Jigsaw | |||||
Optional Services | |||||
Option: Remove Tile | 16 hours | $286 | $1,807 | ||
Remove old flooring, cut into small enough pieces to dispose of and remove from home. If there is asbestos present there may be additional unaccounted for costs | |||||
Option: Tile Flooring Debris Disposal | 120 square feet | $91 | $104 | ||
This is the cost to remove old materials, extra cut waste and other garbage created by the job |
tile installation cost | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot | $1.73 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 120 square foot | $1,901.82 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 120 square foot | $1,498.05 - $2,305.59 |
A professional tile installation costs approximately $11 per square foot. Your exact cost will depend on the size of the tiles you install, the material the tiles are made of, and the materials and tools required to complete the installation. In most cases, this typically costs anywhere from $7 to $15 per square foot. It costs approximately $7 to $14 per square foot for ceramic tile flooring, while porcelain is higher, coming closer to between $12 and $19 per square foot.
The following table shows the average cost per square feet:
Square Feet | Average Cost | Lowest Cost | Highest Cost |
30 | $330 | $210 | $450 |
50 | $550 | $350 | $750 |
80 | $880 | $560 | $1,200 |
100 | $1,100 | $700 | $1,500 |
120 | $1,320 | $840 | $1,800 |
150 | $1,650 | $1,050 | $2,250 |
200 | $2,200 | $1,400 | $3,000 |
The total cost for a tile floor replacement is $17.75 per square foot on average, with a range of $7 to $28.50 per square foot. In a kitchen and bathroom flooring replacement project it costs from $8 to $24 per square foot.
A medium size bathroom replacement project ranges from $575 to $5,000. To replace a medium-sized kitchen tile, the cost ranges from $1,600 to $3,000 or more. The costs will vary depending on local labor rates, current demand, materials, etc.
To calculate your tile installation cost, determine the price per square foot. High-end materials like solid marble are more expensive than more affordable materials like ceramic. Overall, most tile costs between $10 and $15 per square foot to install, but tile floor replacement costs can vary. This includes the materials and the labor to install it. Plan to pay an additional $6 per square foot if you need to include underlayment or backer board.
How much to install tile flooring varies depending on current labor rates and your specific location. If the demand for tile is higher, you’ll likely pay more for labor when scheduling the installation. Remember to get at least three or more estimates from different companies near you to get the best price and service. In most cases, it should cost roughly $3 to $10 per square foot of tile and another $5 to $14 per square foot for labor. It also depends on the size of the room, what needs to be removed, and the difficulty of the installation itself.
When considering tile floor installation costs, choosing a tile that suits your budget, aesthetic, and lifestyle is crucial. Choosing tile flooring that’s easy to clean and maintain is also essential. This cost will vary greatly depending on the material due to the costs associated with obtaining and manufacturing it. For example, natural stone requires much more labor to make and process than machine-made tiles. The color, shape, and overall design of your tile floors also play a role. Here are some common tile types and their average cost per square foot.
This versatile tile is extremely affordable and is most often used in bathrooms or kitchens. Ceramic tile costs approximately $2 per square foot and around $7-14 a square foot with labor included.
A completely handmade material, encaustic cement tile is unique and durable, and it can be made in almost any color. You'll find this tile at the same cost per foot as ceramic, coming in at about $2 per square foot on average. It also costs around $7-14 total including labor to install.
This form of tile is made of ceramic or porcelain, and it features specially treated edges that are ground down and precisely cut to create a specific shape and size with a tight edge. Rectified tile is fired at extremely hot temperatures to ensure that it retains its shape and doesn't expand or contract with moisture or time. You'll find this tile priced at around $6 or more per square foot with installation costs coming in at about $6-13.
If you prefer a more natural look, slate tile is a great option. This durable stone adds a rustic, warm touch to any room and runs about $3 per square foot for the material. Add around $5-12 for installation, and slate costs about $8-15 per square foot installed, on average.
To create quartzite tile, high heat and pressure are applied to sandstone, which transforms into quartzite. Natural coloring makes this tile a beautiful option for bathroom floors in addition to its durability and water resistance. The cost for this tile is about $5 per square foot and around $6-13 per square foot additional for labor.
With a smooth surface, porcelain is a lovely option for almost any room of the home. Fired at high temperatures, porcelain is extremely water-resistant, so it's great for bathrooms and kitchens. Porcelain tile will cost you around $6 per square foot and an additional $6-13 for labor.
If you want a luxe, high-end look, consider marble tile. This heavy tile is a natural stone that costs approximately $8 per square foot for the material itself. To install marble tile, account for another $7-14 per square foot for labor.
The labor cost to install tile varies from as little as $4 per square foot to as much as $14 or more. Installing tile requires skill, patience, and experience. If the installer needs to use a special backer board, plan to pay a higher cost of between $7 to $15 for labor per square foot. Small tiles cost approximately 10 percent more to install than large tiles. More delicate materials like granite, marble, or travertine cost from $12 to $14 per square foot just for the labor, in addition to the tile itself. Consider installing ceramic tile if you’re on a budget, which costs closer to $4 to $8 per square foot for labor.
Remember, tile floor installation cost varies depending on the materials and the size of your project. Tiling the floor in a medium-sized bathroom can be as little as $575 to as much as $5,000 or more, particularly in large bathrooms. Kitchen tile floor installations may cost from $1,600 to $3,000 or more to complete. Your total costs will vary depending on current demand, local labor rates, and the current price of the material you choose per square foot. Use a tile installation labor cost calculator and get several estimates from local tile installers to determine the average cost before you choose a company.
Although porcelain and ceramic tile look similar, they’re quite different. Ceramic tile is softer and less durable than porcelain. While water-resistant, ceramic tile doesn’t repel water as effectively as porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is made from a fine powder that’s fired at high temperatures under extreme pressure, making it more durable and water-resistant. Porcelain tiles are generally more expensive than ceramic tiles per square foot and have a higher installation labor cost.
Check PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) Wear Rating of your tile. This rating has a scale of 1 to 5 that determines the durability of the tile, which will help you determine where to install it. Most ceramic tile rates are from 1 to 3, while most high-quality porcelain tile rates are up to 5. Always choose a tile with a rating of 3 or higher when installing it for flooring. Tiles with a rating of 1 or 2 are ideal for feature walls, backsplashes, or tub and shower surrounds. Choosing porcelain is a better option in homes with a lot of foot traffic because it’s quick to clean and easier to maintain. For less-frequently used rooms like a hallway, entryway, or sitting room, ceramic tile should be fine.
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