Tile installations are complex projects that vary in price. While ceramic and natural stone tile installations are some of the most durable materials to choose from for home and office projects, the complexity of the installation leads to some of the highest installation prices. Standard wood, vinyl and carpet installations are much easier, and thus require less skill and labor. Installing your tile for the least amount is ideal, but it’s also important not to cut corners so your tile installation will last for years. Square Footage Square footage is only part of the installation cost with tile, and it should never account for the total price of a tile installation. Do the work yourself if you have a simple, straightforward installation with cheap ceramic tile, as it will save you money. Understand, however, that more complex materials such as polished granite, honed travertine and specialty stones like green marble from India require a qualified professional to do the work. Standard tile installations have a base cost of around $3 to $6 per square foot, with natural stones starting at $10 per square foot and going up from there.

Mortars, Adhesives and Grouts The elements that bind the tiles onto the installation surface are paramount to the installation’s structural integrity. If there is one area where you should not skimp, it is mortars and adhesives. Always use modified (also called fortified) thinset mortars for floors and ceilings. Purchase special natural stone mortar to work with natural stone tiles. Mastic adhesive is available for walls. Modified/fortified grout is the best option, and you can add more liquid latex to the grout and thinset during mixing for installation to help with elasticity if you know the project will have excessive movement or foot traffic, such as in a commercial entryway. The higher quality the material, the more money it costs per bag or container. Ordering directly from a manufacturer often allows you a discount for buying in bulk. Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Extras Standard floor installations are the cheapest to install, as they require the least amount of labor. Walls cost more than floors, and ceilings cost more than walls.

Projects requiring scaffolding have more costs built in due to the requirement for extra tools and safety precautions. On top of that, remodel projects where installers are expected to work in finished homes that require protection cost more money. For example, a powder bath off of a living room with white carpet and cream-colored upholstery costs more money because the entire living room has to be covered in drop cloths, and the installer has to take great care to not create excess dust. Concrete boards, underlayments and waterproofing also cost extra, and installers generally charge from $2 to $4 extra per square foot for these elements. Pattern Types A standard straight lay pattern with square grout joints and square tiles costs the least. The smaller the tile, the less money it costs to install, as a general rule. This is due to the weight of the tiles and the complexity of working with large-bodied tiles. However, certain smaller mosaic installations or projects that involve numerous cuts can cost more.

An installer’s base rate increases with larger tiles. Additionally, more complex patterns require more labor, and time = money. A diagonal pattern usually adds on $2 to $4 per square foot on top of a base rate. Herringbone and other patterns add an additional $2 to $4 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the pattern. Total Costs There is no such thing as a “standard” rate for tile installations, given the limitless factors that influence a given project. Used Laminate Flooring For SaleAny installer who quotes you a blind square foot rate over the phone without coming to your home and visually inspecting the installation is not qualified to perform the task, as it is impossible to bid a job without seeing it first and figuring in all the variables. Arizona State University Car Seat CoversAs a general rule, expect to pay upwards of $75 an hour or more for a qualified journeyman craftsman, and they either charge by the hour or by the square foot after inspecting your project. Weight Loss In Warren Nj

When factoring in pattern, installation type, location and complexity, expect to pay between $8 and $10 per square foot for a ceramic tile project (including underlayment and mortar/grout), and $15 to $20 per square foot for a natural stone project, on average, for a standard project. If you do all the work yourself, you save money and do the project for the cost of materials and tool rental from your local home improvement store. Photo Credits Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction How Much Does it Cost to Buy & Install a Bathroom Tile Floor? We're asking readers to share how much they spent on a given item, project, or upgrade in the home. We hope this information proves helpful to anyone needing to get a basic sense of how much something costs, and how much you can expect to pay to hire someone. How much did it cost to buy & install your bathroom tile floor? If you can, let us know the type of tile you chose, how many square feet you installed, and specify materials vs. labor.

Since costs vary, your region of the country is always helpful too!Many elements go into correctly pricing a ceramic tile job. Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images The beauty and longevity of ceramic tile makes it a durable and elegant upgrade in many homes. It also makes installing ceramic tile a potentially lucrative, if technically demanding, business. Knowing how to price a ceramic tile job can be almost as tricky as installing the tile itself. From the price of the tile to preparation, supplies, and labor, a good tradesman needs to make sure everything is accounted for when submitting a proper quote. TileCeramic tile comes in a myriad of colors, sizes and styles. The cost of the actual tile can vary from as little as 49 cents per square foot to upwards of $15 per square foot. What’s most important is to select and quote a decent quality tile that will not easily scratch, chip or crack. On average, it is possible to provide a good quality tile for about $3 per square foot. To price the tile, calculate the area of the job by multiplying the length of the room by the width for the total square feet.

Multiple the total square feet by the tile price per square foot, and then add 20 percent for cuts and breakage. Floor PreparationIf there’s anywhere the pricing of a tile job can go awry, it’s usually in the cost of floor preparation. Tile must be laid on a clean, level and structurally sound subfloor. If the subfloor is made of plywood, a concrete backer board will be required, since tile does not properly adhere to unsupported plywood. Tear-out costs depend on the type of material present on the current floor. An endless combination of circumstances can exist for any given floor. For this reason, preparation costs vary greatly from job to job, and should be estimated based on all of the materials needed and the time it will take to address every aspect of preparation. Free checklists are available in the industry to assist a contractor in properly pricing preparation and other installation items. Tools and SuppliesAt a minimum, tile, thin-set adhesive, grout and sealant will be required to set a quality floor.

The outlay for expendable tools and rentals also needs to be priced into the estimate. Include the cost of tile spacers, sponges, trowels, floats, saw blades, and a tile cutter rental, if required. LaborPricing labor for laying tile depends on the type of tile, the intricacy of the pattern, and any specialty elements included in the job. Generally, more cuts require more time and should be priced higher. Inlays, borders, and diagonal or custom patterns all take additional time. On average, most tradesmen will charge a minimum of $4 per square foot for labor, with increases at a minimum of 50 cents per square foot for each difficulty included in the job. ProfitOnce the total cost of all tile, floor preparation, tools, supplies and labor have been calculated, a minimum percentage needs to be applied to make a profit. Most installers seek a minimum 20-percent profit, although extremely competitive bids may require a lower percentage be applied. When pricing a small job, many tradesmen have a minimum job price to make it worth the time and money invested to travel, shop and forego other income potential.