Cost To Hire A Tile Contractor For Installation
Hiring a professional tile contractor to help with your latest home project can make a huge difference to the final result. But how much does it cost to hire a professional?
Prices vary hugely, with some more professional contractors charging more than double what other professionals charge. There are also additional charges for materials that you will need to consider before starting a project.
If you want to make sure you are getting your money’s worth and aren’t paying more than the market price, then read on!
COMPARE QUOTESAverage Cost Of A Tile Contractor
The most basic way to calculate how much a tile contractor will cost is by square footage. Most tile contracts will charge between $15-$25 per square foot. This cost does not include the cost of the tiles nor the cost of additional materials such as tile glue, spacers and filler.
The average cost of a tile contractor is $20 per square foot.
For an average-sized bathroom of 80 square feet, you can expect to pay an absolute minimum of $960, with most people spending over $2,500 to retile a bathroom. Remember that since contractors will charge per square foot, you will need to factor in wall space and floor space.
However, smaller areas such as a kitchen backsplash may cost you slightly more as such a small area is being tiled. If you have a small space, you’ll get better value for money if you include it in a larger project. If you plan on retiling a bathroom, you can add smaller areas for a lower cost than doing them independently.
A smaller area such as a backsplash will cost around $20-$30 per square foot. For kitchen countertops, the installation cost will be between $15-$20.
What Could Increase The Cost Of A Tiling Project?
Before you begin working on a tiling project, you will need to contact a contractor in advance and get a quote, so you don’t end up spending more than you planned.
However, even once you’ve employed a professional, you may find the price of your project creeping up. Here are some other factors to consider when budgeting for your tiling project:
Tile Size
Some contractors may provide an initial quote for standard tile size. However, if you are using very small tiles, this can be very time consuming, and a contractor may charge more. Similarly, very large tiles may be hard to lift alone, in which case, a contractor will need second support, which costs extra.
For very heavy or difficult to lift tiles, you should expect an extra cost of around $3-$8 per square foot.
For very small tiles which take a long time to install, you should expect an additional fee of around $5 per square foot.
Grouting Size
The size of the grouting will also significantly impact the cost of the project. Allowing a very large space, between tiles can increase costs.
The average space between tiles is 2-3mm for wall tiles and 3-5mm for floor tiles. As standard, this amount of grouting will not cost extra and should be factored into the initial quote.
Allowing more space can be a great stylistic choice for larger rooms or outdoor projects. However it may add a few extra dollars per square foot as your contractor will likely consider this a bespoke request. They will need to use specialist spacers and it may take additional time to grout at the end of the project.
COMPARE QUOTESUnusual Shapes
If your project involves lots of corners, angles or unusual shapes, a contractor may also want to increase their standard fee. A professional will cut tiles to ensure a good fit and professional finish, and the more tiles they need to cut to shape, the longer the project takes, and the more the fee will increase.
Common reasons for additional cuts include towel racks, appliances, plumbing and electrical work, and lights. A contractor should take these reasons into account as they are standard and should not charge an additional fee for them.
Specific Patterns
If your tiling project includes a design using different colors or patterns, mosaic or alternating tiles, you may also find the cost increases. Contractors will need to take more time to ensure they lay the suitable tiles in the right place, and there is an increase in the chance of them making a mistake.
These factors will be included in the price you can expect to pay. You can expect to pay upwards of $30 per square foot for simple designs with larger, more complicated designs costing more than $50 per square foot.
The exception to this rule is any tile pattern where the tiles are precast onto a backing board. Contractors are then able to speed up the process by installing large sections at a time. Although this process is much faster, it will still incur additional costs of around $5 per square foot.
Uneven Surface
Tiles require a smooth, flat surface, or you risk leaks and other damage. If your surface is uneven, your contractor will need to install an appropriate backer board and waterproofing membrane. A professional may need to perform additional preparation work such as sanding or cutting very uneven surfaces which could be included in the same project for an additional fee or may be a separate quote.
For these services, you can expect to add between $6-$15 per square foot, effectively doubling the price of your project.
Tile Material
Some materials require special handling or installation, so you can expect to pay more for marble, granite and quartz compared to a standard ceramic tile. You should expect a quote closer to $25-30 per square foot for these materials.
More affordable options include standard ceramic and porcelain while glass and natural stone are the most expensive. For glass tile installation, especially colored glass, you may be charged more than $50 per square foot.
Location
Installing tiles in a kitchen or bathroom is generally less expensive than installing tiles outside. Some contractors may charge an additional $3-$5 per square foot to work out in the elements. Depending on where you live, the climate may be a factor in driving up the price, as working in the extreme cold or heat can be expensive.
Furthermore, tiling on a roof or any other area that requires additional health and safety considerations will add to the fee.
Most roof tile installation costs will be over $100 per square foot. For installing roofing tiles, you may need to hire another contractor who specialises in roofing and this will be a higher fee.
Additional Costs During A Tiling Project
Besides hiring a professional tiling contractor, there will be other costs beyond the tile installation cost. The most common cost is raw materials, as you will need to buy the tiles, glue and spacers separately.
When speaking to your chosen tile installer, make sure you ask what the cost of their services includes. Some more expensive tile contractors may include the cost of glue, spacers and any sealants in their service, so although they appear more expensive, you might actually be getting a deal on other items.
It’s also important to remember that tiles get broken both during the installation and over time. You will need to purchase more tiles than you think you need, so you should calculate all costs to be over the square foot area you want to tile.
You will also need to expect to pay extra for repairs as this may require additional specialist work.
These tile repair projects will likely be quoted per project rather than be square foot as you may need to re-waterproof areas, break tiles, add moldings or employ other specialists such as an electrician or plumber.
You can also expect additional costs if you are installing heated tiles or a heating system underneath your tiles. Tilers will need to work around pipes and ensure the preparation complies with the heating system so may charge more.
Get A Quote Today
You will need to hire a professional tile contractor for your next tiling project if you want a professional finish. You should look for a licensed professional to ensure a high quality of work throughout the project.
Depending on the type of project and the type of tiles you want to use, the price will vary significantly, so it’s important to tell your contractor as much as you can about the project to ensure the quote is accurate.
If you’re looking to hire the best in the business, get in touch today for a quote.
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