“How much will it cost?” is the first thing almost every homeowner asks us. The honest answer depends on the room, the tile and the condition of the floor or walls, but tile installation is priced per square foot, so you can get surprisingly close on your own. Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most around Springfield, Nixa, Ozark and Republic.
What does tile installation cost per square foot?
Our installation labor is $8 per sq ft for floor tile, $16 per sq ft for kitchen backsplashes and $18 per sq ft for shower and tub walls. That covers the labor plus thinset, grout and leveling supplies. The tile itself is separate.
Why do backsplashes and showers cost more per square foot than floors?
Wall tile takes more time per square foot. A backsplash has outlets, windows, cabinets and edges to cut around, usually with small tile. A shower adds waterproofing, niches, corners, a sloped floor and trim on every edge. A big open floor goes much faster per square foot.
Is the tile included in the price?
No. Tile prices range from a couple of dollars per square foot for basic ceramic to $15 or more for designer porcelain, natural-look slabs and handmade tile, so we keep it separate. You can buy it yourself or we can order it for you at cost. Plan on buying about 10% extra for cuts, and 15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts.
What can add to the cost of a tile job?
- Removing old tile or flooring: $3 per sq ft.
- Leveling an uneven subfloor: $2.50 per sq ft.
- Shower waterproofing with Schluter-KERDI membrane: $5 per sq ft (shower and tub projects).
- Patterns like diagonal and herringbone take more cuts and more tile.
- Extras such as niches, benches and curbless entries.
How much does a tile shower cost?
A standard 5 ft by 3 ft walk-in shower with walls tiled to 8 ft has about 90 square feet of wall tile. At our rates that is about $1,620 in labor, plus $450 for KERDI waterproofing, before tile and the shower floor. Bigger showers, niches and benches raise it; a simple tub surround costs less.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom floor?
A typical 50 sq ft bathroom floor is about $400 in labor at $8 per sq ft. Small rooms often fall under our $650 project minimum, so it can make sense to tile the floor and a backsplash or shower in one visit.
How do I get an exact price with no surprises?
Try the instant estimate calculator for a ballpark in 30 seconds. For a firm number, book a free on-site measure: we measure every wall and floor, check the subfloor and give you a written price before any work starts.