Tile is one of the most popular choices for flooring. This is due to both its beauty and its longevity. It also can be expensive, so understanding how to estimate the installation costs is a good idea before you begin a project.
Generally speaking, you will have to determine the square footage of the room in order to estimate how much tile flooring will cost. This is done by multiplying the length and the width of the room to get the square footage. You can then choose the type of tile that you want, and multiply the cost per square foot by the square foot measurement you now have available.
The tile flooring cost estimator using the basic information above will give you a general overview of how much you can expect to pay for the tile. That doesn’t take into account, however, that there may be other factors included that will make a difference in the cost of the project.
We will take a look at some of the specific items that may be needed in order to determine how much you will spend on the project. We will then break down some more specific factors, including some things that most homeowners don’t consider when they are estimating the cost.
Tile Floor Installation Cost Calculator at the bottom.
Tile Flooring Cost Estimator / Calculator
Like many things you may do on a DIY basis, there is more than one factor to consider when it comes to coming up with a cost for your tile floor. If you don’t factor everything into place, you could come up short or you may not even be able to finish the project.
The following are the basic factors that need to be considered when doing any type of tile flooring cost estimator. You can plug this into your calculator and come up with the general figure.
Type of Tile
This is obviously going to make a considerable difference in the overall cost of your floor. Depending upon the type of tile you choose, you may be spending anywhere from a little over a dollar per square foot up to five dollars per square foot or more.
Porcelain/Ceramic
On the low end, you have ceramic and porcelain. Either one of these can make a very beautiful floor and you don’t need to be worried that it is going to look cheap when all is said and done. There are plenty of color options available and you can choose the tile in a variety of sizes as well.
Natural Stone
Both natural stone and slate fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to the cost of your flooring. You can expect to spend anywhere from $2 up to $7 or perhaps more for this type of stone. There are so many different options available that it would be difficult to pin it down as to cost. You really just need to choose the one you like and budget for it.
Marble
At the high end of tile floors, we have both marble and travertine. On the low end, you can expect to spend about six dollars per square foot and you can spend $12 or more on the high-end per square foot. That being said, marble and travertine are both beautiful options for the home that you can be proud of.
Installation
As we will discuss later, installation of tile floor is a cost you will need to consider. Typically, you will spend between $8 and $12 per square foot for installation. There are some ways to lower this cost, as we will discuss later in the article.
Removal
This is not a cost that will be on every project but in some cases, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4 up to $9, depending on what is down and the company you use. It may be a good idea to have the old floor removed, especially if you are putting in tile.
Tile can weigh a considerable amount when it is put down and it may stress the floor joists if you are installing it on top of a floor that is already heavy.
Tools
If you don’t have the tools available and you are doing a DIY project, you will need to purchase or rent them. This can cost several hundred dollars, depending on what you need.
Supplies
These are some incidental costs that can be added to the project. For most tile installations, an additional $250 would suffice.
Overage
You don’t want to buy just enough tile for the job. You want to purchase anywhere from 10% up to 20% extra for breakage, mistakes, and cuts. Generally speaking, this will also leave you with additional tiles at the end of the project. They can be kept in case problems occur in the future.
Tile Floor Installation Cost Calculator at the bottom.
How To Calculate Tile Flooring Needed
Do you remember all those years when you questioned your math teacher, wondering when you would ever need to use what you are learning? Now is the time.
To calculate the cost for tile flooring, you will take the width of the room and multiply it by the length of the room to get the overall size in square feet. The price that you pay for tile will typically be in square feet or it can easily be calculated to that number. Simply multiply the price per square foot by the square foot you calculated earlier to get the estimated price.
That is how you get the cost for the tile but there are other factors that need to be considered if you want a more accurate figure.
One thing to consider is the overage. Between 10% and 20% extra will be necessary to cover any problems that occur, such as broken tiles or mistakes. If you calculate the entire cost by 1.2, you will get the total cost with 20% overage.
There are plenty of other items that are going to be needed, including the mastic and the grout. These should be relatively easy to calculate because you can also figure the square footage of coverage and compare it with what is on the packaging.
Other items, such as trowels, wet saw rental, sponges, empty 5-gallon buckets, and similar items can be picked up for a relatively small price. You can add $250 to the total for these incidental items.
How To Calculate Cost Of Tile Floors
Before you get started on your tile floor project it’s a good idea to calculate the cost. This can be done with an online calculator or you could do some simple math at home.
The cost of a tile floor is available in square feet. You can also calculate the cost of any other items, such as grout, mastic, and even subfloor at a square foot figure as well. After measuring the length and width of the room, multiply the two numbers to get the overall square foot and then multiply that figure by the square foot cost.
It is best if you keep your figures as simple as possible. You can get down into the weeds easily by trying to calculate every detail, down to the last tool you will need for the project.
Most people find that it is best to calculate the general price, add 20% and then add another $250 for incidentals. Doing so will get you plenty of materials so that you won’t have to purchase additional tile, perhaps running into a different lot and different colors.
How To Calculate Cost Of Tile Flooring Installation
The easiest way to calculate the installation cost for tile flooring is to talk directly with the company you want to hire. They can provide you with an estimate, and they will keep the following in mind.
Most installation labor will cost anywhere from $8 up to $11 or perhaps more. They will keep a number of factors in mind when charging installation fees, including the potential need to remove the old tile floor or how difficult it may be to install the new floor. Getting an estimate in advance with a firm installation cost will save you a lot of headaches.
The cost for the installation of tile floor may vary considerably. There may also be some ways that you can save money on the installation, depending on where you live and what may be available in your area.
The first place to check is always a high-end store that sells both the tile and offers installation through their subcontractors. You will generally find that this type of one-stop-shop offers you a lot more when it comes to savings.
You might also want to look into any coupons that are available in your area to see if a local company has an ongoing deal. Sometimes, going with a new company will provide you with a lower cost but there are some obvious issues to consider as well.
Saving money on tile floor installation is one thing but being unhappy with the installation is another. It is worth it to pay a little more and know that you will be well cared for.
Other Things To Consider When Estimating A Tile Floor Project
There are always going to be some hidden factors that can affect the price and the quality of installation for tile floors. Here are some things to consider in advance so you know you are well cared for.
One factor to consider when estimating a tile floor project is overage. In most cases, between 10% and 20% of extra flooring will be purchased for the overage. It’s always a good idea to have extra but check with the store first to see if you will be penalized if you have to bring any back. It’s better to have extra when possible.
Along with overage, you also want to consider the quality of the job. If it is a complete DIY project, take a close look at the subfloor you are using and ensure it is in good shape and free from defects.
If you have an old tile floor down and want a new tile floor, this may require that you tear the old floor out first. Doing so is beneficial for a number of reasons but primarily, it lowers the stress on the floor joists and provides a higher quality subfloor.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 10, 2022.
To calculate the cost for floor tile installation, first, estimate how much tile you need. This is done by multiplying the length of the room by the width of the room and then multiplying that figure by 1.2. Doing so provides you with a 20% overage.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 10, 2022.