Ceramic tile install cost

[Ed Pawlowski]

I'm nearing the end of a bathroom remodel. I took out the tub and will have a 60" shower instead. All new fixtures and vanity, etc. The guy doing the ceramic tile is a perfectionist. He is going to a lot of extremes to make everything perfect. My concern though, is he may not be charging enough.

The job entails 185 sq ft of wall tile a 4" trim strip if class tiles, bullnose edge, and 40 sq. ft. of floor tile. Epoxy grout on walls and floor.

Anyone have a ball park per foot cost for installation? I'm paying for all materials so he is just providing labor.

[Gordon Shumway]

A lot depends on where you're located. A California job compared to a job in the boondocks in another state could be a sizeable difference. Try getting a test quote from Menards or Home Depot to find what may be comparable in your area. When the job is done if you feel his price was too low you could always tip him well.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Not that simple. They want to do an "in home consultation" Aside from the job nearing finished, I don't want to invest a couple of hours with them.

I want this guy to do some other tile work down the road so I want to be sure he is happy doing it.

I've heard numbers from $7 to $10 and that sees fair depending on complexity.

[Snag]

In the Memphis area tile work goes for around 6-8 bucks per square foot for a standard install . Since you've got some higher-end stuff going on , I'd think your tile guy's bill would be a bit higher - if you're paying him less than around $2000 total you're getting a good deal . This guesstimate also includes installing the backer board and the shower pan , and doing a sand/cement "dry mix" floor .

[Ed Pawlowski]

There are some extras to add to that base of $2000. One wall was a bit out of plumb and is now perfect. There is the row of glass that is thinner than the tile so he had to build up the strip there. His price is $220, but I think $2500 is more fair if you count all the hous he has into it.

[DerbyDad03]

Allow me to be the first to say it...

$220? Holy crap! That's a great price. What's his name? I'll pay his air fare to have him retile my bathroom.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Hey, what's a zero between friends?

John (the tile guy) came from a recommendation. He came and saw what had to be done and made some recommendations. Then we decided to do some more work and he came out again. He must have made a half dozen trips to be sure everything was right in both the prep and material.

Once he started, "good enough" isn't. He is meticulous in the layout and details. Every cut must be perfect. If the mitered bullnose at the top corner is 3", the bottom is 3" also making it visually smooth.

I could not ask for a better job.

[Snag]

I think Ed dropped a zero there , DD . But my estimate of $2k wasn't far off ... done a bit of tile work in the past . Profitably .

[DerbyDad03]

Ya think? ;-)