National Average Improvement and Repair Cost
Pro
DIY
Hours:
13.6
14
Cost:
$ 1114
$ 180
Would you do this project? According to our survey, 46% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.
The average price to Install Ceramic Floor Tile noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.
How much does a tile floor cost? The tile contractor cost to install ceramic floor tiles is $1114 vs. doing it yourself for $180 and saving 80 percent.
A ceramic tile floor can transform any room in a house. If you install ceramic tile over an old vinyl floor in a bathroom be prepared for a dramatic facelift that makes it a Cinderella story because the array of sizes, shapes and colors are dazzling. And you can’t beat tile for a long-lasting surface that’s easy to clean and maintain.
For the best results a new floor should be laid with the toilet and vanity removed, so laying a tile floor involves plumbing and carpentry work as well. A stiff base is needed to support tile and its subfloor to prevent the tile and grout from cracking, so check for the floor’s thickness by removing a floor register or the door threshold to get a peek at what’s below the existing flooring.
A tile installer will charge $1114 to lay good quality floor tile over an existing vinyl floor in a 8-by-10-foot bath room, and includes labor and material. The job involves first removing the toilet, vanity, door threshold and molding. Then the installer applies an underlayment of cement board with thin-set tile adhesive, followed by more adhesive and the ceramic tile, and then he grouts the tile. The final step is to trim out a new baseboard for the room.
The cost will be higher if the installer has to remove several layers of old flooring or to reinforce the existing floor. And since the level of the floor will be raised by the new tile, you may have to trim the door and replace the threshold.
Tile America had advice and ideas for using tile in your home Inspiration.
If you’re handy, you can do the job for $180, which includes the cost of the subfloor, adhesive, tile, grout, baseboard and threshold. You will save 84 percent. You’ll have to rent or borrow a tile cutter from the tile retailer.
Figure it’ll cost more if you hire a plumber to remove and then reinstall the fixtures.
When you’re choosing tile for a floor keep the size of the room and the size of the tile in mind. For example, large tiles look best in a large room and conversely small tiles are most appealing in a small space. If you choose a grout color that contrasts with any tile you’ll call attention to it, something that can be attractive in a large room, but can be distracting in a smaller space.
The bottom line: compare the price of a contractor’s bid to install ceramic floor tile with what it costs to do it yourself and make your decision.
