Tile Costs at a Glance

• Floor installation cost per square foot: $7-$15
• Backsplash installation cost per square foot: $23-$35
• Bathroom/shower installation cost per square foot: $7-$25

Tiles are durable, easy to maintain and offer a wide array of design choices, so it’s no surprise they’re a common choice for floors, walls and other surfaces in homes. Tiling or retiling can also be a simple way to improve the look of a kitchen or bathroom.

This May Also Interest You: Tale of Tile: An Overview of Bathroom Tile Flooring

Thinking of replacing your current tiles or installing new ones? Costs can vary based on the type of tiles you want and where you plan to put them. Here’s a detailed guide on tile costs.

Tile Installation Costs

The cost of tile installation includes the tiles, labor and additional materials. At the most basic level, you can expect to pay $7 to $15 per square foot for a standard ceramic tile floor.

The price varies from there based on:

• Contractor’s labor costs
• Size and type of space to be tiled
• Type of tile used

Labor Cost to Install Tile

The labor cost for installing tiles is about $4 to $32 per square foot. Labor costs range from $4 to $14 per square foot for floor tiling, while those for a backsplash or countertop are about $25 to $32 per square foot. To set in a thin-set mortar with a cement backer board underneath the tile costs around $7 to $14 per square foot.

While most installers charge per square foot, some charge by the hour. Depending on the project's size and complexity, you can expect to pay $30 to $120 per hour.

Request a written estimate from a reputable tile installation contractor to gauge the cost to complete the project.

Average Tile Installation Costs by Project

Tile installation cost depends on whether you're installing backsplash, countertop, floor or bathroom tiles. If you’re retiling, add $400 to $500 for the removal and disposal of old tiles. Unglazed tile requires sealant, which can add $100 to $200 to the cost.

These are some of the most commonly tiled areas:

1. Cost to Tile a Shower

Shower tiles can cost anywhere from 50 cents to $85 per square foot depending on the tiles selected. Including the cost of other materials and labor, you can expect the project to cost somewhere in the range of $650 to $9,100.

2. Cost to Tile a Bathroom

Cost for bathroom tiles varies based on square footage, the number of walls and the material you plan on using. Most homeowners pay an average of $7 to $25 per square foot.

Tiling a bathroom floor differs from tiling walls because working around sinks, toilets and other fixtures can make it a complicated job. Most homeowners pay an average of $300 to $600 to tile the floors of a standard bathroom.

3. Cost to Tile a Walk-in Shower

Most standard walk-in showers measure 84 square feet and typically cost $550 to $2,100 to tile, depending on your shower size and the type of tile.

4. Cost to Install a Kitchen Backsplash

Installing a kitchen backsplash typically costs around $23 to $35 per square foot. Some prefer glass tiles as a kitchen backsplash because they’re easy to clean and tile patterns come pre-assembled. Glass tile installation will cost $20 to $30 per square foot.

The installation cost depends on the material you choose to use for the backsplash, with most homeowners paying about $900 to $2,500.

5. Cost to Tile a Floor

Project price varies based on the type and size of the area you’re tiling.

Tiling the kitchen floor typically costs:

• $975 to $1,950 for a standard kitchen (130 square feet)
• $1,380 to $2,760 for a larger kitchen (184 square feet)

Tiling a bathroom floor typically costs:

• $300 to $600 for a standard bathroom (40 square feet)
• $1,200 to $2,400 for a master bathroom (160 square feet)

6. Cost to Tile a Kitchen Countertop

Kitchen countertop tiles range in price from $31 to $93 per square foot, labor costs excluded. One of the most common type of kitchen countertops is granite, which costs about $55 to $75 per square foot.

Tile Replacement and Removal Costs

Before replacing tiles, a professional contractor will remove the existing tile first. Removal of existing tiles costs $3 to $5 per square foot for materials and $5 to $8 per square foot for labor. The cement backer board underneath the tile costs $6 to $10 per square foot to replace.

More Related Articles:

• How to Install a Kitchen Backsplash in 7 Simple Steps
• How to Clean Grout
• How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?
• How Much Does Drywall Cost?
• How Much Are Granite Countertops?

Tile Costs by Type

Depending on the material used for tiling, the cost varies. Some of the most commonly used tiling materials include:

1. Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are a common choice because they are similar in durability to porcelain but half the price. Ceramic tile costs $2 to $4 per square foot.

They're most often installed in high-traffic areas, like hallways. Even if exposed to direct sunlight repeatedly, they remain colorfast. Ceramic tiles are stain-resistant, robust, durable and moisture resistant. Compared to porcelain, ceramic tiles don't score as easily.

Some of the key advantages of ceramic tiles:

• You have a variety of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from
• They're scratch- and stain-resistant
• They're easy to install and pocket-friendly

The only disadvantage of ceramic tiles is that grout is prone to discoloration.

2. Wood Tile

Wood tiles are made of porcelain and cost between $3 to $35 per square foot. They're great if you're looking to achieve a rustic look with durable tile.

3. Porcelain

Porcelain tile averages around $6 per square foot on average. They come glazed or unglazed. Depending on where it’s installed, unglazed tile may require sealant for added moisture resistance, which can increase total cost. Porcelain is among the most common tiling material choices because of its ability to resist stains and keep moisture at bay.

Porcelain is often installed in areas where there's a high moisture presence, like shower stalls, bathroom floors and walls, laundry rooms and kitchen backsplashes. They are also dense enough to withstand heavy traffic.

Some of the main features of porcelain tiles:

• Cost-effective
• Withstand freezing temperatures
• Various finishes like matte, textured, glazed, unglazed, gloss and semi-gloss.
• Easy to clean

However, if porcelain tile chips, it can be difficult to repair.

4. Glass Tile

Glass tiles typically cost $5 to $15 per square foot. However, glass tiles are fragile and aren't recommended for flooring as they dent or break easily. And when they do break, they’re not easy to repair. They're better for backsplashes, countertops and bathroom areas.

Some advantages of glass tiles:

• They're easy to clean.
• They offer a variety of color, pattern or shading options.

5. Natural Stone

The average price for natural stone tile is about $5 to $35. The tiles have a distinct look because all the stones are slightly different. Most homeowners prefer the natural look for flooring, countertops, bathrooms and backsplashes.

One downside is that natural stone requires annual sealing. The tiles aren’t as durable as ceramic and are prone to scratches and dents.

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