How much does it cost to install tile flooring in the US?

A well-designed room has a purpose. Whether you envision textured ceramic, gold-veined marble, or eclectic mosaic flooring, achieving that vision comes at a cost. 

US tile installation costs can be complex due to various factors, and this article aims to give you clarity by tackling each of them in detail.

What is the average price to install tile flooring in the US?

The cost to lay tile in the US depends on where you reside. Specifically, our estimates show that residents of Salt Lake City may pay approximately 50% less per square foot than those in New York City. 

Here is the cost of laying tiles per m2 in different locales:

What factors affect the average costs of installing tile flooring?

Other things affect how much you need to shell out when installing new tile floors or renovating existing ones. 

Tile type

Porcelain stoneware tiles arranged for customer viewing (Source: iStock)

The tile flooring cost per square foot can change based on the materials, which are made using different techniques. 

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles, for example, cost much less than natural stone tiles per square foot. This is because man-made materials such as ceramic do not require an extensive mining and preparation process, unlike marble.

Marble

Extracting marble can be environmentally destructive and has other drawbacks. Compared to other natural stone materials, marble is susceptible to chips, scratches, and stains. Ceramic, on the other hand, can mimic marble’s look without much limitation.

Pebble

Other flooring types are more expensive because of their design. Pebble tiles, for example, give a unique aesthetic to your space, especially if you use them as walls. However, pebble flooring is labor-intensive, making it more costly than traditional flooring like porcelain.

If you are looking for reputable professionals to provide you with sustainably made materials like bathroom tiles, look for certifications like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Tile rating(s)

Another factor that impacts the average cost of installing tile flooring is tile ratings. There are three ones you must consider: 

Shade variation

This refers to how different sets of tiles are from each other. Those marked as V1 mean their appearance is relatively uniform. The rating goes up to V4, meaning the difference between each tile is clearly noticeable.

Slip resistance

This helps you determine whether a tile is suitable for spaces such as bathrooms or pools. Slip resistance is tested in three ways: 

1. Pendulum Test, involving measuring the friction of a standard foot against a wet tile. A P0 rating means that the tile possesses a very high slip risk, while a P5 classification means that the risk of slipping is very slow. 

2. Oil-Wet Ramp Test, involving placing the tiles on a ramp and putting lubricating oil on their surface. An R9 rating means the slip risk is high, while an R13 rating indicates the opposite.

3. Barefoot Wet Ramp Test, involving testers walking on inclined, wet tiles on their bare feet. An A rating indicates high slip risk, while a C value indicates very low risk.

Wear resistance

This refers to how well a tile wears and ages over time. It is indicated through a Porcelain Enamel Institute—or PEI—rating. It starts at PEI 1, which refers to tiles only made for walls. The rating goes up to PEI 5, which refers to flooring materials that can withstand heavy foot traffic.

Area size

Some small spaces in your home may still have a high tile installation cost because of the needed materials and labor. For example, the average cost of installing tile flooring in a bathroom is high because you may need waterproofing and underfloor heating. 

Adding anti-slip tiles also affects costs, making bathroom tile installation costs vary significantly, from $383 for budget projects to $6,158 for luxury ones.  

Here are the average costs of installing tile flooring in different home areas:

Prep work

Working on a tile floor, applying new grout between the tiles (Source: iStock)

Project size also affects the average cost of tile floor installation. Some jobs are straightforward, simply requiring laying tiles in newly constructed rooms. Renovation projects, meanwhile, are more difficult due to unexpected challenges, such as uneven carpentry or shoddy extensions.

Before renovating existing floors, professional tilers need to consider the following:  

Removing existing flooring

Professional tilers don’t just work over old tiles despite the practice seemingly being cost-effective. This is because there are more drawbacks than benefits:

• Lack of grip. Professional tilers need the existing flooring to be as level as possible so that the new tiles can grip. If you choose to install over old flooring, especially mosaic ones with smaller tile pieces, the new tiles might not bond properly with the old ones.

• Possible pores or gaps. A floor tiler must ensure that your surface has no place for moisture to seep through. You can ask an expert to regrout over old tiles, but the practice is tricky, as new grout may be thinner and thus more brittle.

• Additional height. Installing new tiles over old ones will increase the height and weight of your flooring. Despite the initial aesthetic appeal, this may give way to annoyance if your doors get stuck. 

You can definitely remove existing flooring yourself, but there are steps to follow to avoid turning a simple floor upgrade into a complex reinstallation nightmare.

Cleaning, leveling, or repairing the subfloor

Professional tilers must clean the subfloor as part of a tiling project. This is because adhesive residue, dirt, dust, and paint left over by construction workers or from old tiles interfere with the way your new flooring adheres to the floor.

Tile installation also requires leveling the subfloor. Before you ask a pro to place your chosen tiles, the surface must be as flat as possible. This will prevent dips or humps in your flooring, both of which can cause creaking noises over time.

Note that cleaning or leveling your subfloor does not make sense if it is in disrepair. Cracks or gaps in the surface can create excess moisture and lead to deterioration over time, increasing your tiling cost. Repairing subfloors can mitigate this. 

Installing underlayment

Underlayment is a product that helps prevent moist or cracked subfloor surfaces from damaging your tiles. Uncoupling membranes, sheets, and peel-and-stick membranes are examples of underlayments that professional tilers may use.

Planning the layout

It should come as no surprise that a well-planned layout is essential for successful tile floor installation. It leads to a better-looking arrangement—crucial if you bought tiles with complex patterns, such as mosaic ones.

Moreover, it can reduce costs. You often need to buy more per square foot than necessary to account for factors like necessary cuts and standard packaging sizes.

Location

As mentioned, where you reside impacts the average price of tile flooring. This is because labor costs differ from place to place. The average hourly salary of a tiler in New York City can reach up to $30. Meanwhile, labor statistics show that Salt Lake City tilers earn up to 22% less than their NYC-based counterparts, at a rate of $24 per hour.

Special features

A kitchen showcasing decorative mosaic floor tiles (Source: iStock)

Asking how much does it cost to have tile flooring installed also means understanding how special features lead to additional expenses. 

Intricate patterns or designs

If you are aiming for a unique aesthetic appeal, it may cost you. Imagine you select small tiles with mosaic patterns. These are often sold in sheets rather than square feet. Mosaic tiles also require specialized adhesives, and such features increase the total cost needed to bring your design vision to life.

Underfloor heating

The average cost of floor tile installation per square foot can also go up if you opt for underfloor heating. This is because you need to install thermal insulation under the heat pipes and mortar under the tile floors. 

Installing underfloor heating helps evaporate cold spots in your room. However, if the subfloor contains issues like moist spots or uneven surfaces, the heating system may not adhere well to the substrate and be prone to cracking.

Waterproofing

Average prices can also increase if you decide to waterproof tile floors. This is because there is a whole other process involved before you begin to lay tiles. Installing a waterproof membrane is crucial to protect your space from moisture-related problems like mold. 

Waterproofed floors are often needed in wet areas to keep moisture from penetrating the structure of your home. A pro can help you install, repair, or renovate bathroom flooring.  

Soundproofing

Whether as part of a home improvement project or new house construction, you may be concerned about the soundproofing capabilities of tile flooring. Unfortunately, floors made of ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone do not offer noticeable sound reduction. In fact, they can increase noise if they have reflective surfaces.

This is in sharp contrast to carpet tiles, which absorb as much as 10 times more airborne noise versus alternative floor coverings. Soundproof capability is one of the main differences between tile and carpet floors.

If you’re still set on installing tile flooring but with soundproof capabilities, one way to get there is to put something between the tile and the floor, like molded fiberglass honeycomb. Work with a contractor if you need help laying different types of flooring.

What are some ways to save on tile floor installation?

There are multiple ways to decrease the average price of floor tiles. One is to combine budget and expensive tiles, using the latter as accent pieces while the less expensive ones as a background. Another is to invest time in proper planning and estimation. By coming up with a budget, you can maximize material and design choices.

What should you look for in a professional tile installer?

A professional completing a tile flooring project (Source: iStock)

Beyond fair pricing and floor repair skills, US tiling professionals should possess relevant qualifications. Licensing requirements vary by state, with some requiring only a general contractor’s license. 

Additionally, professional tilers can obtain certifications from organizations like the Natural Stone Institute and the Tile Contractors Association of America.

Simplify home flooring tasks with Airtasker

Overall, embarking on a home tiling project can be a complex undertaking, both mentally and financially. Make the process smoother with reputable tilers on Airtasker. Simply post a task on the platform and wait for quotes from experts near you. After checking their profiles and ratings, you can pick the best Tasker for your needs and say goodbye to tedious floor tiling.