Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How much does it cost to get tiling done?

You can install tiling on your floors, walls, counters, kitchen backsplash, outdoor patio and shower — to name a few places. Tile is beautiful, easy to clean, durable, and resilient against kids and pets. The national average for tile installation cost ranges between $490 and $750. Often, tile installation specialists quote a price per square foot for installation. Costs can increase if you want the pro to supply the tile instead of ordering it yourself. Other factors that can increase cost include specialized installation with a unique design that will require more labor to install.

Prep work will also affect tile installation costs. Demolition of the existing floor, counter or backsplash takes time and energy that will be reflected in the price. Necessary repairs, such as a sub-floor that needs bolstering before tile flooring can be installed, will also increase costs. For tile showers, one example of tile installation cost may be approximately $25 per square foot including all materials and labor. Average tile installation costs for backsplashes may run anywhere from $10 to $40, depending on the materials selected and the amount of labor required. The larger the area where tile is being installed, the lower the price per square foot will likely be. For example, a flooring pro may charge approximately $3.50 per square foot for wood-look tile installation in an area ranging between 6 feet by 24 feet and 8 feet by 48 feet.

How much does it cost to tile a shower?

The cost of tiling a shower depends on two main factors: the size of the shower and the quality of the tiles. In general, most professional tilers charge an average of $25 per square foot of tiled area and the national average cost for a tile installation project is $490-$750. The tiles themselves are the greatest variable; the cost depends on their size, shape, pattern and manufacturer. For example, tile purchased at a volume discount from a big-box store cost far less than tiles made in small batches by an artisan ceramics shop. Prices can range from as little as $1 to $50 or more per square foot of tile. Other factors that will drive up the total tile installation cost are grout and mortar, speciality tiles like bullnose caps or soap holders, and surface prep materials, especially if drywall needs to be replaced before the tile can be installed. Many tile installers will also remove and haul away any old materials from an existing shower installation.

How much does it cost to tile a bathroom?

Tile installation costs are a key part of your bathroom remodel costs. The tile you select (which can range from under $2 per square foot to $50 per square foot or more), the demolition and repair work required prior to installation, and the size of the job will all affect cost. You can install tile in the shower, on the counters, on the wall or on the floor. The national average for tile installation cost ranges between $490 and $750. Bathroom tile is easy to clean and durable for daily life. Here are some examples of average bathroom tile installation costs:

Tile installation at $25 per square foot of tiled bathroom area.

A standard tub and shower combo requires tiles for approximately 60 inches of length. Calculate wall height and add 30 to 36 inches of tub width for the walls at the head and foot of the tub. If the tile walls are 6 feet to 8 feet high, in this example, the tile installation costs would run about $2,000. Price includes materials.

Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with an 8-foot ceiling: $1,450. Price includes materials.
Tile installation on a 3-foot by 5-foot regular tub and shower walls with a 10-foot ceiling: $1,650. Price includes materials.

For more on how to remodel a bathroom and bathroom tiling check out The Complete Thumbtack Bathroom Remodel Guide.

How much does it cost to install a ceramic tile floor?

Tile installation costs for ceramic floors depend on the type of tile you select. You can purchase tile that sells for under $2 per square foot or tile that costs $50 per square foot — or more for artisanal and hand-painted tiles. The cost of labor to install a tile floor will also depend on the tile you select. It is far less labor-intensive to install a white 12-inch by 12-inch square tile than a 2-inch by 2-inch hexagonal tile with a distinct pattern. That extra time and energy equates to a higher per-square-foot installation cost. For example, a flooring pro may charge approximately $3.50 per square foot for labor to install wood-look tile in an area ranging between 6 feet by 24 feet and 8 feet by 48 feet. That same pro may charge $6 or more per square foot for a more intricate pattern, or a smaller space. Some installers may charge a minimum day rate for ceramic tile floor installation, such as $340 minimum per day, to cover business expenses and employee wages. If you’re looking to reduce costs, removing your existing flooring and handling any repairs needed can help eliminate prep work costs. Prep work may be charged per hour and could cost anywhere from $25 to $80 per hour or more, depending on the region and the type of repair work necessary.

How much does it cost to install tiles in a kitchen?

One of the most common kitchen upgrades is installing decorative backsplash tiles in the space between the counters and cabinets. It’s a chance for homeowners to get creative while also protecting the kitchen walls from splashes and stains. Like all tiling projects, kitchen tile project costs depend on the tiles you choose, installation materials such as grout and mortar, and any surface materials, like replacement backer board. The national average for a tiled kitchen backsplash is $490-$750. In general, pricing averages $10-$40 per square foot for installation, not including tile. Some professional tile installers have a minimum day rate for small projects, which averages $350.

Bisi O.

Verified review

Shawn showed up on time. The work was neat and I am very happy with the result. He is coming back to finish off a small edge but I confident he will come in. I plan to use him again to install laminate floors.

Lindsay L.

I highly recommend Steve. Aside from his beautiful work, he engaged with us throughout installation of our walkway and granite steps. He made sure we always knew what was happening and felt comfortable before he began a new phase. We love the outcome and plan to hire him again down the road.

Subramanian R.

Best person to work with. In addition to the dishwasher install, had to install a new garbage disposal with wiring, install whole house water filter, instal faucets for slop sink and a bathroom.. he was very kind and took care of everything the same day. very professional and top notch work quality.. some leaks came up next day, Ernie was very professional, came back and fixed everything. Very reasonable price for all these.. Highly recommend and definitely will come back for all my future plumbing needs..

Christa C.

It is an absolute pleasure to write about the experience i had with stella. I bought a home in lexington and i was not impressed with the colors used on the tile on the first floor bathroom. I called some local companies to get an estimate on re-tiling the entire bathroom and when i dealt with eric, it was a hands down decision. Dealing with this company was nothing short of a delight. They were professional, honest, fairly priced as well as knowledgeable on their product and installation. It was comfortable the tile installer David having them in my house, as he was extraordinarily quiet and respectful. Clean and neat, a mess was never left in my home. On top of it all, the work was impeccable, as he was very precise in his work. I have already recommended Stella to a few friends and would absolutely promote for anyone to use them!!!!

Charlie C.

I needed to have my garage painted and cabinets installed. The guys showed up on time and were very friendly, knowledgable and courteous. Their work was impeccable and they showed genuine concern for perfection. I also had a tile backsplash installed and my driveway pressure cleaned and both also were done perfectly. I will use them again in the future for upcoming projects and my husband and I highly recommend this company. Homeowners in Sanford, Fl.

Sage R.

We hired Carlos to lay down a new floor in our basement, which required doing a full skim coat on the entire existing floor first and then laying all the new VCT tile. Carlos purchased all the supplied, and moved around some of the heavy furniture that we were unable to fully get out of the space, which made the whole project incredibly easy for us. He was responsive to every text, did the whole job in less than a week, and every night left the space cleaner than he found it. If we ever have flooring work again, Carlos will be the only person we call!

Wendy B.

Job is underway. Ray jumped right in and started my odd jobs and will be doing a Rustoleum Restoration to my 15 cabinets. His quote and knowledge sold me on his work. Already seeing results. We are looking to be at "open house" stage by late August and Ray's work will go a long way to getting us there.

George S.

Joao and his team are kind and professional. He is young man who is getting started with his own company. His passion and value exceeded my expectations and my company will certainly use him in the future. His scope of work included commercial fence install, kitchen cabinet assembly, backsplash, and other misc work. Highly recommended company!

Patrick R.

Ken did some tile work in my kitchen recently as well as some repairs to my doors and caulking our kitchen cabinets. From start to finish, Ken did a fantastic job! He communicated with me from the get-go, had a fair price, and was flexible with the times that he could come. He arrived on our agreed-upon time, performed the work as promised, and did a phenomenal job. He was done quickly and my wife and I were thrilled with his work. We will definitely be utilizing his services again in the future and I recommend him to anyone who needs any type of handyman work done.

Braxten R.

Fabricio and his crew installed granite countertop and a tile backsplash for us in our new house. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. The price was nearly half what other companies quoted us so it definitely saved our budget. We had a small countertop space installed in an interior window cutout. We were nervous at first with the size of the countertop overhang because it would shrink our walkway. However, with careful measuring, cutting, and installing of the countertop it turned out awesome! We highly recommend Fabricio and Imperial Marble and Granite for all of your kitchen/bathroom needs. We will definitely be using them in the future again.

Linda V.

Adonias was very easy to work with. He is friendly, creative, and flexible. He has a very busy company, so sometimes my projects took longer than expected, but he is good about communicating. Eagle7 remodeled two bathrooms for me (I will upload pictures after I finish cleaning and organizing them). They took out two fiberglass shower/tub units, built a new tub with tile surround and a tiled walk-in shower with glass door. They replaced sinks and countertops, replaced flooring (tile in one, vinyl plank in the other), repaired some plumbing, replaced fan/light combos, and built out walls where needed. In addition, Adonias and his crew helped with a few extra requests as they came up, without complaint. We were updating most of our house this month, so there were many contractors in and out, a dog, kids, and general chaos. The crew took it all in stride, they were patient and worked around our schedule. Prices were very reasonable, and they worked with me to think through what could be salvaged/reused to minimize costs. Adonias also sourced materials as needed, not overbuying or upcharging. Highly recommend Eagle7.

Derek B.

I have nothing but positive feedback for Jon at JL Masonry & Remodeling. I was looking for a professional mason to spot repoint a large brick staircase for my rental property and replace 5 cracked and crumbling bluestone treads and secure the wrought iron railings. I was also looking for a fair price obviously. Finally, I was looking for prompt service as this property is a rental and the condition of the stairs had become a tripping hazard for tenants and guests. Jon delivered on all fronts. When I posted the job description I had several quotes come back from other masons. Some were ridiculous but there were a few that were competitive with Jon's quote. I decided on Jon because his reviews were the most positive. Prior to providing the quote he visited the job site on his own to size up the job. After receiving what I felt was a reasonable price I just wanted to ensure certain areas of the staircase were included in his estimate so I asked if he'd mind meeting me in person to discuss in detail the scope of work covered by the estimate. He was more than happy to meet me and he put my worries at ease. Judging someone's character can be difficult but after meeting Jon in person I felt I was dealing with an honest guy, so we shook hands and I provided a deposit. The job was completed in several stages due to the number of steps to be replaced and different areas needing attention. There was not much downtime in between stages, which I appreciated as Jon knew several families live on the premises and need access to the staircase. After each stage I viewed the progress and provided input on some minor concerns. Jon was not put off or offended and took my feedback in stride as a professional and actually seemed to care about my concerns and how to best complete the job. I am very satisfied with the completed work product and the overall experience I had with Jon at JL Masonry & Remodeling. I have several properties and if I need masonry work in the future Jon will be my first call and I wouldn't hesitate referring him, in fact, I already did! Thanks Jon!

Matt S.

Jose and his partner did an exceptional job on removing my kitchen tiles, cleaning up the subfloor, and installing the prefinished wood. What separates these guys from the others I’ve worked with is their honesty, value, and reliability. They showed up exactly when they said they would and backed up any further materials they needed to buy by providing receipts. In the end, the quality of their work was fantastic. If you live in the Somerville, Medford, Arlington, or surrounding Boston area, I highly suggest you hire these guys.

Fred S.

Really positive experience working with Build Me Up. North end condo building with strict association and they delivered. We previously hired a contractor who was awful, he left us a bunch of pesky punch list items. Electrical, tiling, painting, installation of doors..the list was long..BMU did a great job. We will use again and recommend.

Cynthia E.

He came to see about the job and discovered I had bought the wrong a/c unit. He spent a lot of time showing me what I needed, then he helped me load the unit into my car so I could return it. He will come back to install when I get the new unit.

Sabrina S.

Chad and his colleague did a flawless job installing a new exterior door and building a custom frame and trim (door frame was not standard), on our 100 year old house. Their workmanship and professionalism from start to finish was top notch. We will absolutely hire them again and give them our highest recommendation!

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