Ceramic Installation and Labor Costs

Other than gathering your materials, the largest expense when it comes to your ceramic tiling installation project will be labor, as well as other additional costs that you may be unaware of. The cost of labor ranges from $4 to $20 per square foot of installation. The type of ceramic tile used for installation and the particular place of installation play great role in final cost of ceramic tile installation. Doing your research and getting ready for the entirety of your flooring project will help you to get an idea of what the ultimate ceramic tile installation costs will be.

• Preparation for Installation: To get an accurate idea of how much the total labor cost for your installation might be, you need to understand the steps necessary to prepare for your installation. In its current state, your home is not ready to undergo a ceramic tile installation, meaning you’ll have to engage in a number of preparatory tasks, all of which can add to the cost. For starters, you will need to move the furniture out of any room you are planning to install tile. Secondly, in order to install the tile correctly, you or your contractor will need to lay down substrate. All of preparation tasks, and many more, can increase the final labor cost by a great deal. If you take contacto, the cost of preparation might be $2 to $5 per square foot.
• Ceramic Tile Floor Installation Cost: In addition to preparation considerations, there are a number of other issues that can affect your labor costs. More than anything else, the total size of your installation project will directly affect your labor costs. The more square footage you plan on tiling, the more expensive your project will be. On top of that, certain rooms may be more difficult to tile than others, extending the timeframe of your project and adding to your overall expenses. Taking all of these factors into account will give you a better idea of your final budget. Installation cost ranges from $4 to $20 per square foot, depending on materials and installation details.
• How Much Does Rental Equipment Cost: An expense that many homeowners are unprepared for is the special equipment that may become necessary over the course of a home improvement project. If you use a contractor, the cost of renting equipment will usually not be a concern, as your contractor will provide everything necessary to complete the job. However, if you decide to go to the DIY route, the necessity of renting specialized flooring and tiling equipment can greatly increase your overall expenses. Renting equipment for DIY installation vary significantly based on the preparation and installation work needed to be done specifically for your project. Costs range from $1000 on rent for modest project and $3000+ for more sophisticated projects.
• Cutting Equipment: Over the course of your ceramic tiling project, you might find that some or all of your tiling requires cutting before it can be used. Not only can this lengthen your project and increase labor costs, it also requires special cutting equipment that will add to your costs. Ask your contractor what kind of cutting equipment you might need for your tiling project and how much it might cost.

As discussed in the previous section, there are a number of different tasks that must be completed before your ceramic tiling project can actually begin. While all of these tasks are necessary to the successful completion of the project, they can all increase your final price. Some of the additional expenses you can expect to encounter over the course of your ceramic tiling project include:

• Moving Furniture: The very first step in getting ready for your ceramic tiling installation project will be to move all of your furniture out of any room included in the project. Depending on how many pieces you need moved, and the complexity of moving said pieces, the cost of your project can greatly increase. If you’ve hired a contractor for your installation job, you can expect anywhere from $20 to hundreds of dollars per piece of furniture, not to mention the cost of storage. Before you move your furniture, ask your contractor what they charge for his service and if they can offer you a flat rate.
• Removal of Old Flooring: Another task typical to most flooring projects is the removal of previously installed flooring. Most flooring contractors will include the removal of old flooring in their cost estimate, but it is possible for you to hire a separate contractor to handle this specific task. When planning the removal of old flooring, you can expect a price range of $0.25 to $2 per square foot.
• Substrate Installation: Before installing ceramic tile in your home, a foundational layer known as the substrate must be applied. Substrates can be made from a wide variety of materials, such as concrete or plywood, and must be installed very carefully to ensure a successful tile installation. It’s a good idea to consult with your contractor to decide what the most cost effective substrate material may be for your project.
• Smoothing the Surface: Once the substrate is installed, your contractor must make sure that it is level enough to begin your ceramic tile installation. Although leveling the substrate is not usually expensive, it can lengthen your project and subsequent labor costs depending on how much leveling is required.