I sometimes receive calls from people who want to know what I charge “per square foot” for tile installation and wants me to give
them a rough estimate for installation over the phone. Here is why it's hard to do:
A professional tile installation is not priced simply on a “per square foot” basis. This is because such a “one size fits all” pricing method does not cover all the variables in tile installation. The “big box” stores will but look carefully at their disclaimers and contracts. Their price will not include prep work or other work deemed necessary, and they do not do any custom work.
While square footage is a factor in working up an estimate, it is not the only factor and the labor price per square foot is a variable.
There are many other factors to be considered also and all factors must be known before an accurate estimate can be worked
up. Condition of the sub floor, shape of the room, what kind of tile, someone may want a decorative border inserted or do the in lays,etc. No professional tile contractor will give you a price over the phone. If someone quotes you a price over the phone, you can bet that they have little or no experience in tile installation. It is likely they are simply a “handyman” or an out of work construction worker. When construction is slow, everyone thinks that they can set tile but, as it is often said, “you get what you pay for”.
Anyone who is seriously considering tile and looking for a professional installation will want an accurate estimate and this
can only be achieved by visiting the jobsite. Anything less is simply a wild guess and is therefore meaningless.
them a rough estimate for installation over the phone. Here is why it's hard to do:
A professional tile installation is not priced simply on a “per square foot” basis. This is because such a “one size fits all” pricing method does not cover all the variables in tile installation. The “big box” stores will but look carefully at their disclaimers and contracts. Their price will not include prep work or other work deemed necessary, and they do not do any custom work.
While square footage is a factor in working up an estimate, it is not the only factor and the labor price per square foot is a variable.
There are many other factors to be considered also and all factors must be known before an accurate estimate can be worked
up. Condition of the sub floor, shape of the room, what kind of tile, someone may want a decorative border inserted or do the in lays,etc. No professional tile contractor will give you a price over the phone. If someone quotes you a price over the phone, you can bet that they have little or no experience in tile installation. It is likely they are simply a “handyman” or an out of work construction worker. When construction is slow, everyone thinks that they can set tile but, as it is often said, “you get what you pay for”.
Anyone who is seriously considering tile and looking for a professional installation will want an accurate estimate and this
can only be achieved by visiting the jobsite. Anything less is simply a wild guess and is therefore meaningless.