Tile Calculator

Tile is an irreplaceable material in home furnishing. In the bathroom, it can withstand moisture and humidity while creating a hygienic space. In the kitchen, tile can stand up to spills and stains from cooking and food prep. Thanks to the variety of colors, materials and sizes of tile available, there is something for everyone. Plus, tiling is one of the projects that committed DIY enthusiasts can handle on their own. Use this tile guide to calculate the average costs of installation and purchase.

As always, if you need help along the way, ImproveNet can connect you with up to four tile pros in your area for free!

How To Measure For Your Tile Project

The first step in any tiling process will be determining exactly how many tiles you need. Whether you’re tiling the floors, the shower or the walls, you should start by getting exact measurements of the area. When you know the area's total square footage, multiply that number by 115%. This accounts for mistakes, the edges of the room or even slight miscalculations in your measurements. Once you know exactly how much tile you need, you can start crafting a budget. Try to get your figure down to a specific price per square foot, which will make it much easier to compare materials.

Average Tile Project Cost

There are pros and cons of the various types of tile on the market, but only you can decide which material is best for your home and budget. At the lower end of the spectrum will be vinyl, linoleum and laminate. Each of these materials comes in sheets, but you can choose squares that replicate the look of porcelain or stone tiles. Expect to pay $2 to $7 per square foot for these materials, including installation costs. In the middle of the price range is porcelain and ceramic tiles. Both are durable and suitable for wet environments, and they run anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot when you include the cost of installation.

Tile Installation Cost

Tiling is not an easy task or DIY project. Only skilled DIYers should take on a project like this. Because of the design and order of pieces being placed, any mistake made will leave a lasting impression. Hiring a professional to do this project will give you peace of mind and the knowledge that it’s being done correctly. However, you will definitely be paying for the complexity and labor of this project. On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $2,005 and $2,873 for tile installation in a single room.

• Average cost of ceramic or porcelain tile: $0.49/sf - $15/sf
• Average cost of tile installation labor: Minimum $4/sf
• Average cost of prep work needed: $1/sf - $5/sf

Installing New Tile Vs. Replacing Old Tile

One factor that will play a role in the overall cost of your tiling project is whether you’re installing new tile or replacing old tile with new tile. The main cost factor here is the subflooring of the room you’re planning on tiling. Rooms that you’re replacing existing tile makes the installation easier, because the subflooring is already in place for tile flooring.

If you’re adding tile to a room that did not previously have tile, or had a different flooring material like carpet, then your tiling project may become a little more difficult. The subflooring in this space may need to be replaced or altered to support the new tile flooring. This might come as a surprise, but tile can be very heavy and this will put a lot of added weight on your home’s foundation and support.

The additional work will add to the cost of your overall project. This work will include reinforcement and the addition of plywood to your subfloor. All in all, it will add on a couple extra dollars/sf to the overall cost of the tiling project.

DIY Tile Installation

If you have some DIY experience and a bit of time, you might want to consider this project on your own. While it can save you money, it will be labor intensive. If you’re working with ceramic or porcelain tiles, you will also need to have a wet tile saw, which you can rent for the day at any hardware store. Expect to take two days to tile a bathroom completely and three days for a larger kitchen.

Tiling the floors or walls of your home is a smart way to protect the home from moisture and give it a striking new look. The variety of tiles and project sizes means that prices can vary depending on what you plan to install and how big the area will be.

Find A Tile Contractor

Replacing tile can be a tricky task, but if you’re an experienced DIYer, this could be the right project to test your skills! If you’re not comfortable with DIYing this project, that is OK! Hiring a professional to do the job is a sure way to have your tiling project done correctly and to your satisfaction.

A remodeling project can take a lot of time and add unneeded stress to your life. To save some time and stress, ImproveNet can connect you with as many as four tile pros in your area with no cost to you. Let’s get started!