Tile Floor Installation Cost

Tile Floor Installation Costs 2021 (Installation, Replacing, Pricing)

Tile floors are always trending because they're so versatile. There's an option to fit various personal tastes when making the addition to your home or office. One of the biggest advantages of having a place of your own is being able to customize it to your liking. 

As the coming years witness residential growth in the flooring market, it's important to touch base on some important components - costs, materials, installation options, and money-savers. 

Receiving accurate information for floor installation and costs should always be the beginning of any big project. The following guide will provide you with the necessary information  to get you started:

• The Average Cost Of Tile Installation
• The Labor Costs for Installing Tile
• DIY Tile Floor Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
• How To Save Money On Tile Floor Installation

What Is The Average Cost Of Tile Floor Installation Per Square Foot? 

You can expect to pay on average about $9.87 per square foot when floor tiling. Total cost is typically around $1,000 and $1,500. This average price doesn't include the various elements that will influence the price. It does, however,  include these 3 components by Home Depot's estimator (per sq. ft):

• Tile Material - on average, $2.00
• Setting Materials - on average, $1.37
• Installation - on average, $6.50

Keep in mind, some factors can influence your total price. More specifically, these 9 hidden factors:

1. Geographic location - On the East or West coast, you can see a 20% increase in the average installation price compared to other areas. Not to mention cities with a high cost of living can increase the average price. 
2. Installer - Your options are wide open, so you need to shop around and make comparisons. You don't want to get stuck with an expensive company when you can get the same expertise for a more affordable price.  
3. Accessibility - If your room has any obstacles, installers are likely to add their inconveniences to the price (elevator, stairs, special requirements, etc.).
4. Room size - Smaller rooms have higher project costs, surprisingly because you're billed for prep and cleanup. This means living rooms typically cost less per square foot than a small bathroom floor would.
5. Existing floor - Price can depend on the type of existing flooring you have. 
6. Tile type -  Depending on the tile you choose, the price can be higher or lower. Even the same tile can vary in price depending on the design. For instance, marble, granite, and slate will be 40-50% more expensive than ceramic or porcelain tile.
7. Tile size - Large tiles cost less than small tiles to install. This is due to them being easier to assemble and less time-consuming to apply. 
8. Layout - Price can vary by the complexity of your room layout. If you have a layout design outside of the 'normal' square or rectangle shape, you can run into more charges for the hassle of cutting tiles to meet specific measurements. 
9. Customization - In most cases, you'll pay double or even triple the average price for a custom install.

What Is The Average Cost Of Tile Installation Based On Material? 

One of the biggest cost-influencing components of tile installation is what material you decide to use. In general, tiles are great for foot traffic areas, but you should still have an understanding of the ratings. 

Porcelain Enamel Institute ratings, for instance, determine the suitability of your tile flooring in traffic areas.  Ratings are listed by manufacturers. 

• NR - not rated because natural stone and other unglazed products are not glazed.
• Group 1 - not suitable for foot traffic. Only suitable for residential/commercial walls. 
• Group 2 - suitable for light residential traffic.
• Group 3 - suitable for all residential and light commercial areas.
• Group 4 - suitable for residential, medium commercial, and light institutional applications.
• Group 5+ - suitable for heavy traffic in both residential and heavy commercial applications.
• NA - not available.

Now that you understand the concept of PEI weighing you can make an informed, executive decision. Here are some options per square footage: 

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile has many benefits for you to consider, including easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant. On the other hand, it can be time-consuming to install and has grout (which can ruin the effect if done unprofessionally). 

Price: $3 to $10, depending on if it was imported or has an elaborate design. In most cases, it can be an excellent cost-effective option.  

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile flooring is one of the most popular options for tile flooring because it's cost-effective, easy to maintain, and has a large variety to choose from. In fact, in 2019 alone, 2.94 billion square feet of ceramic tile floor was installed in the United States. 

Price: In some cases, pricing can be as low as $0.45, but it is approximately $2.50 to $3.00 in most cases. 

Porcelain Wood Tile

The greatest appeal to porcelain wood tile is that homeowners get the appearance of natural wood with tile durability. 

Price: $9.50 is the national average, but the cost can go as high as $35, depending on how extravagant your designs are. 

Rectified Tile

Rectified tiles are great for a clean, seamless look because they can be laid closer together due to a smaller grout line. On the other hand, they are more difficult to install.

Price: Can go as low as $0.50, but more elaborate options can hike the price to $20 or more.

Slate 

Natural stone tiles like slate and travertine are a popular choice if you're looking for a more natural and elegant design. Homeowners typically appreciate its beauty and durability in high traffic areas. However, it is pricey and hard to replace, so make sure it's what you want before taking on a slate tile flooring project. 

Price: $5 to $10, with most averaging around $7. Pricing can spike as high as $20 or more if you go with designer options. 

Glass

Glass tiles are popular for their rare beauty, long-lasting appeal, and resistance to chipping and fading. However, they're mostly installed by professionals (which increases cost) because thin-set mortar adhesives can be seen through the tiles. 

These are most commonly used for backsplashes behind countertops. 

Price: on average, between $20 and $30.

What Is The Average Cost To Lay Tile Based On Material of Your Floor?

There's always the option to lay tile yourself, although you should always do your research. There are written instructions you can find anywhere. Still, video how-tos are a great place to get more hands-on guidance from professionals who have extensive experience tiling floors. 

After you've taken a look, you'll want to learn more about the average prices that differ depending on the old flooring material you're laying your new tile over. It can help you decide how you want to move forward - is it too costly or worth the price?

For instance, there is a difference when laying tile on concrete versus an existing floor, especially in price.

For more information check out the video below on laying tile: 

Concrete

When laying tile on concrete, it's important to note that you shouldn't lay it down without something in between, like an underlayment, since it can be vulnerable to cracks and shifts that will negatively impact your tiles.

Due to this fact, you will need to smooth out and level the floor before laying down tile, adding $7/sq. ft, on average.

Existing Floor

It's common to lay new tile over your old flooring, as it can take considerably more time tearing out the old to replace with the new. However, make sure the surface is mold & mildew free, level, and smooth before deciding to move forward. 

While concrete can add money to your price, laying over an existing floor can save you money if its surface is in good enough condition.

Your savings: $974-$1,978 (or $3.27 - $6.64/ sq. ft) is the average cost to remove tile.

What Are The Labor Costs for Installing Tile? 

If you decide to work with a professional, you can expect tile installation costs for labor to be at least $35 an hour, according to Home Depot. You can be charged by the square foot in some cases, which averages between $5 and $10. 

Additional costs vary by location, room complexity and size, type of tile, and other factors a local professional may inform you of. Just make sure that you're clear when communicating your budget and expectations.

DIY Tile Floor Installation vs. Hiring A Pro

Deciding on whether to do it yourself or hire professional tile installers is entirely dependent on you and your confidence. Floor installation can take a great deal of patience, knowledge, and guidance to take on yourself, which is why the flooring installers industry has an average growth of 1.4%. 

Here are some pros and cons to help you make your decision:

Hiring a Pro

• Pros: Adds peace of mind, done by an expert, any issues are on the installer to correct.
• Cons: Can add $5 to $10 per sq. ft to the flooring cost.

Doing it Yourself

• Pros: Can save as much as $30 an hour on installer costs.
• Cons: Risk injury, mistakes, and (in worst-case scenarios) irreparable damages. 

How To Save Money On Tile Floor Installation?

Tile floor installation isn't cheap, so it never hurts to cut costs where you can. Consider some of the following options:

• Home Improvement loans - While they don't directly save you money in the long-run, they are a great resource to consider when taking on a big project that comes with big expenses. 
• Do what you can before installer arrival - One way you can cut costs is by simply moving your furniture out of the room, so they don't have to (they'll charge). Another consideration, if you're able, is to take care of any necessary tile removal and waste disposal before they arrive. 
• Compare quotes and shop around - One of the biggest money saving options you can consider is taking the time to look at all your options, analyze their pros and cons, and make an informed decision.
• Warranty - Warranties are important for high-cost items. Pay close attention to what each company offers to guarantee your results.