Are you thinking of getting a bathroom remodeled? Unless you have an unlimited budget, you will need to take note of the tile installation cost.
Many factors affect this, such as the type of tiles, labor costs, and size, among many others. I’ll discuss this – and more to answer this age-old question: how much does it cost to tile bathrooms?
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How Much Will a Bathroom Tiling Project Cost?
According to Angi, tiling a bathroom can range from $400 to $10,000, with the average cost being $2,000.
In other words, you will need to spend about $12.50 per square foot to tile your bathroom.
Estimates from Home Depot are right about the same. According to the website, tiling a 5 by 8-foot bathroom will cost around $1,000 to $1,500. And, in case you have a stand-up shower, you will have to spend more – $2,000 to $3,000, to be exact.
Do note that the total cost can go up or down depending on the following factors:
1. Tile Cost
A ceramic tile is by far the cheapest option available. It’s popular amongst many homeowners as it is water and stain-resistant. It’s also easy to clean, which is why they’re often used for tiling backsplashes or showers.
The good news about ceramic tiles is that they can cost you as low as 50 cents per sq. ft. That said, some other styles may cost you as much as $15 per sq. ft.
If you don’t like having ceramic tiles in your bathroom, you may want to consider these more expensive options:
- Porcelain: $3 to $10 per sq. ft.
This Kaolin clay-made tile is moisture-resistant, which makes it an excellent option for your shower wall and/or floor. It’s also remarkably durable, for it can easily withstand heavy use and foot traffic.
- Travertine: $3 to $15 per sq. ft.
Travertine tiles are water and moisture-resistant, which makes them popular choices for a budgeted bathroom retiling project. They’re also very durable and easy to clean/maintain.
- Slate: $4 to $15 per sq. ft.
Slates are made from metamorphic rocks, thus making them hard-wearing tiles. Not only are they water-resistant, but they’re scratch-resistant as well.
- Limestone: $5 per sq. ft.
Limestone tiles are durable and very easy to clean/maintain. They’re also versatile, which means they can be used for walls, floors, etc.
- Granite: $5 to $15 per sq. ft.
Granites are heavy-duty tiles that are water/moisture-resistant. They’re perfect for backsplashes, though they may also be used for bathroom floors.
- Glass mosaic: $5 to $15 per sq. ft.
Glass mosaic tiles can easily ward off stains and mold growth. They’re also effortless to clean, as you only need a damp cloth to remove surface dirt and whatnot.
- Natural stone tile: $7.36 (limestone) to $14.88 (Venetian marble) per sq. ft.
These costly tiles can be used for bathroom walls and floors. And, as long as they are sealed and installed correctly, they’re sure to look great for the years to come.
- Marble: $8 per sq. ft.
Marble is a popular choice for bathroom floors because it’s solid and sturdy. They are resistant to shattering, and they can quickly reflect light too!
- Cement encaustic tile: $18.48 per sq. ft.
Artisanal cement encaustic tiles are made with natural dyes. Additionally, they are hand-molded using traditional techniques. As such, they are a little expensive – although they’re sure to look great on your bathroom wall and/or floor.
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2. Labor Costs
Unless you, the homeowner, can perform DIY installation or renovation, you will need to hire professionals to do the job. A contractor may bill you anywhere between $600 to $800 for such a task.
That said, depending on your location, you may need to pay more (or less).
According to a Real Homes article, the cost of bathroom tiling in Dallas, Texas, ranges from $7 to $10 per sq. ft. In California, the prices are higher at $10 to $15 per sq. ft. for wall or shower tiling. On the other hand, floor tiling costs range from $8 to $12.
3. Setting Materials
Tiles won’t stick on the floor or wall on their own. As such, you’ll need to set aside money for setting materials such as thin-set mortar, tile spacers, etc. (unless they’re included in the service.)
According to Home Depot, this will cost you about $1.37 per sq. ft.
4. Size/Location
You’ll need to spend more if you want to get your entire bathroom retiled. But if you’re only planning to renovate a specific area, the costs will surely go down significantly.
For example, for a floor tile OR wall tile project, you will need to spend about $1,000 to $1,500. On average, a shower tile project costs about $1,500, while a backsplash tile project is cheaper at $800.
5. Old Bathroom Tile Removal
If you need a contractor to get rid of your old tiles, expect to pay anywhere from $1 to $4 per sq. ft.
6. Leveling
You want your bathroom floor to be level, of course! As such, be prepared to pay for leveling services, which will cost you about 25 cents to $1 per sq. ft.
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Bathroom Tiling Projects According to Budget
As previously discussed, you need to spend thousands of dollars to get your bathroom tiled. And depending on your budget, you may get the following results:
$120-$450
As long as you purchase tiles that cost $3 (or less) per sq. ft., and as long as you do the tiling yourself, you can renovate a 40 sq. ft. bath with the lower end of this budget.
Of course, you may need to spend more should you decide to buy more expensive tiles, hire professionals for some tasks, etc.
$2,000
As mentioned, this is the average price you have to pay for retiling your bathroom. This includes the cost of hiring professionals who can help you achieve the unique herringbone/diagonal tile style you want.
$4,500
If you have a big bathroom – say, measuring 200 square feet or more – this budget should allow for retiling as long as your grout is in fair condition.
In fact, this amount gives you a lot of breathing room. Even if you purchase the most expensive tiles, they should only cost about $3,000. That means you can spare $1,500 for labor costs and whatnot.
$10,000
For ten grand, you can retile your 200 sq. ft. (or bigger) bathroom using the grandest hand-painted tiles in the market. Furthermore, this budget is more than enough to cover premium labor costs and plumbing and framing services.
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How to Save Money on Bathroom Tiling
Let’s face it: not everybody can spend thousands of dollars on bathroom retiling. That said, you can easily save money on this project simply by following these tips:
1. Keep it Simple
It’s tempting to buy a new tile that’s hand-painted! But if you’re working under a strict budget, it’s best to keep things simple. Remember: ceramic tiles cost as low as 50 cents, while a cement encaustic tile will set you back as much as $19 per sq. ft.!
2. Go For Larger Tiles
Smaller tiles are beautiful but require a lot of time and labor to install. So if you want to save on labor costs, opt for larger tiles as they are quicker to install.
3. Focus on a Certain Area
Unless your bathroom needs urgent retiling, you can save money by focusing on a particular area first. For example, if your shower walls badly need a change – but your backsplashes are okay – then have the former done first.
4. Do Some Tasks Yourself
Of course, it’s always best to get your bathroom tiles professionally done. But if you want to save some money, you need to perform some of the doable tasks. For example, you can save a significant sum by removing the old tiles yourself.
And, if you’re confident enough to complete the tiling yourself, you might as well do it.
Just remember: if you screw up, you may end up spending more.
5. Inquire With Several Contractors
It’s best to ask for quotes from at least three contractors. The good news is you can easily do this online! While this may require additional effort on your part, this is a great way to get the cheapest service for your needs.
Tip: Don’t just automatically pick the cheapest contractor! While it may be tempting, it pays to make some inquiries.
For best results, make sure to ask them about the following:
- Experience/years in business
- Bonding and/or insurance
- Labor cost breakdown (by the hour or by sq. ft.?)
- Warranties offered
- Estimate inclusions
- Project duration
- Tile selection assistance
Conclusion
The average cost of tiling a bathroom is $2,000 – or about $12.50 per sq. ft. However, estimates can range from $400 to $10,000 depending on the following factors:
- Tile selection/size
- Labor
- Setting materials
- Size/location
- Old tile removal
- Leveling services
Have you had your bathroom retiled recently? How much did you spend? Share your budget – as well as your money-saving tips, if any – below!