The Cost to Tile Bathroom Floor in 2024

Tiling your bathroom can be an expensive project. However, adding tile can bring many benefits to the look and feel of your home. If you are looking to retile your bathroom floor, then here are a few things to consider in 2024.

What affects Floor tile costs in 2024?

Many factors go into tile cost, usually the tile size, hardness, and your installer’s ability. Essentially, you will be paying for the material of the tile and the labor required for cutting and installing the tile in your space. The easier it is, the cheaper the cost, and the more difficult the project, the more expensive it will be. 

Floor Design

The overall design and pattern you want will impact your final price. If your design involves multiple tile sizes or any custom shapes or patterns, expect it to be reflected in your final price.  

Tile Size

The larger the tile, the quicker the installation time will take. Conversely, the smaller the tile, the longer the job will take, resulting in higher costs. 

Tile Hardness

Tile hardness will dictate how much someone will charge you for cutting the tile. Expensive material such as stone or porcelain is difficult to cut, so their prices reflect that. On the other end, ceramic and slate are easier to cut, which lowers their overall price. 

Installer Abilities

The most qualified and experienced tile installers garner business from word of mouth, and they aren’t starved for business. This means that they will demand a higher price for their work. 

Job Size

Depending on your bathroom size, you will be charged based on your overall floor size. Tiles are generally constructed based on pre-existing size specifications. If your bathroom requires custom-cut tiles, expect to be charged extra for the labor required. 

Old Floor Removal

To begin tiling, your existing floor must be removed. This price will range anywhere from $1.00 per square foot for easy-to-remove flooring to $2.00 per square foot for difficult flooring. 

Location

Your location will dictate how much tiling will ultimately cost. Cities will demand a higher labor rate than rural areas. 

Common Tile Materials

When it comes to choosing your tile material, there are a few options to choose from:

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is made up of sand, natural products, and clay that is molded into an appropriate shape and then fired in a kiln to harden. The result is a material that is fairly water-resistant and inexpensive. You can expect to pay $.50-7 per square foot of ceramic tile. 

Marble Tile

Marble tile is made from metamorphic rock that is cut into tiles. It is a popular choice and retains a classic look that’s quite durable. Marble tile costs anywhere from $10-20 per square foot. 

Travertine Tile

Travertine is a form of limestone that is cut into tile shapes. The material is very durable and tough but extremely expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $15-30 per square foot for travertine or any natural stone tile. 

Slate

Slate tile is made by cutting tile from slate rock, creating a highly durable material. Slate is heavy, increasing its install cost. You can expect to pay anywhere from $5-20 per square foot of slate tile. 

Vinyl Tile

Vinyl tiles are made from polyvinyl chloride plastic or PVC, which is then heated and then pressed into thin layers to adhere to vinyl sheets. These sheets are cut into tiles, resulting in a tile material that is inexpensive and can emulate the look of more expensive materials like wood and stone. Vinyl tile costs anywhere between $1-5 per square foot. 

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are made by heating clay at high temperatures. The result is a more durable material resistant to moisture and staining than ceramic. Porcelain tiles cost anywhere from $2-10 per square foot.

Additional Costs to consider

With tile installation, there are a few additional costs to consider, mainly the supporting structure of your floor. Any damage to your home’s structure can be disastrous for your floor if not remedied immediately.  

New Underlayment

Before flooring can be placed, an underlayment or base layer will need to be placed. The choices are as follows: Uncoupling Membrane, Cement board underlayment, or Self-leveling underlayment. Each of these underlayments has its own positives and negatives, but they will also cost anywhere from $3.00 to $ 5.00 per square foot to install. 

Sheathing Replacement

Roof damage can lead to extensive water damage in your bathroom, specifically around your toilet and shower. When your flooring is replaced, you will need to repair any damaged or moldy areas. Sheathing replacements can cost anywhere from $5.00-7.50 per square foot to replace but is necessary to ensure the longevity of your bathroom. 

DIY vs Hiring a Pro 

In general, hiring professional cuts out all of the guesswork with remodeling. The professional understands their field and will complete your job within a specified time, allowing you to continue your business until it is completed. However, professionals are much more expensive and have their schedules, meaning that a job can either take one week or be dragged out for a month if you are unlucky.

Conversely, retiling your floor yourself is more straightforward as you can approach the job at your leisure, and in the long run, it will be much cheaper than hiring a professional. On average, retiling your bathroom floor will cost anywhere from $400-4,000 depending on the size of your bathroom and the material you have chosen. If you hire a professional, you can expect to pay an additional $2,000 for labor costs. 

DIY Pros

• Reduced costs
• Sense of Accomplishment
• No schedule to work around

DIY Cons

• No training
• Lack of experience
• Work can be completed incorrectly
• No tools

Professional Pro

• Training
• Expertise
• Tools and equipment
• Professionals have insurance that protects the consumer and themselves, ensuring the work will be completed

Professional Con

• Can be very expensive
• Scheduling can be tricky

Questions to consider when considering to add tile to your floors

Before you begin your remodeling project, consider these questions carefully:

Where are you planning to install your tile?

Depending on the location of your tile, this will drastically alter the price of your installation. Counter, wall, or flooring will require different tile styles and affect your final costs. 

What’s the square footage of this space? 

Depending on the square footage of your space, size, and your overall design will impact your costs. Generally, the smaller the size, the more expensive your installation costs will be. This is because the tile size needs to be cut to fit the specific space. 

What do you want from your new tile floor?

What purpose does your tile floor serve? Are you trying to create a unique pattern, or do you want comfortable flooring? This will help you better select the tile floor that’s appropriate to your home. 

Are you looking for a luxurious master bedroom space, or do you want a room that’s easy to clean and care for?

What kind of bathroom are you trying to tile? If it’s a master bathroom, then your budget can be expanded. But, if it’s a bathroom that seldom sees use, consider more cost-effective materials such as vinyl.  

What type of tile do you like?

The type of tile you select will determine your initial price point. If you like dense material such as limestone or marble, your bathroom floor will already have a high initial cost. 

Does your home pose any unique challenges?

Does your home have any unique challenges, such as height challenges or floor weaknesses? These can impact the final cost of your project and add to your labor costs. 

badeloft

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.