What makes up the cost
| Item | Share of budget | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles | often 30–50% | material, size and brand decide |
| Adhesive | small | large formats with back-buttering on the high side |
| Grout | small | epoxy is much more expensive |
| Primer | small | for absorbent substrates |
| Waterproofing (wet areas) | moderate | including tape and pipe collars |
| Installation labor | often 40–60% | walls cost more than floors, large format and patterns more |
| Demolition & disposal | varies | removing old tile adds labor and dumping fees |
What drives installation cost up
- Large formats need two people, a very flat substrate and back-buttering.
- Diagonal, herringbone, mosaic take more time and material.
- Many corners, niches and boxed-in walls – typical in bathrooms.
- Leveling the substrate when floors aren't flat.
- Small jobs – many contractors charge a minimum fee.
Where to save – and where not
You can save on the tile (discontinued lines in sufficient quantity), on demolition and clean-up as DIY, and by choosing a size that suits the room and creates little waste.
Don't save on waterproofing, adhesive quality or substrate preparation. Mistakes there show up years later as water damage, hollow tiles or cracks – and then it gets really expensive.
Comparing quotes
Make sure every quote covers the same work: substrate prep, waterproofing, silicone joints, skirting, cutting, disposal. With an exact material list from TileWright you know which quantities are realistic – export it as a PDF and send it straight to contractors or suppliers.
Example budget: small bathroom
Assumptions: 6 m² floor and 18 m² walls, tiles at 40/m², 12% waste, adhesive and grout 5/m², waterproofing for a 5 m² shower area at 20/m², labor 60/m² (floor) and 70/m² (walls):
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles | 24 m² × 1.12 × 40 | 1,075 |
| Adhesive & grout | 24 m² × 5 | 120 |
| Waterproofing | 5 m² × 20 | 100 |
| Labor, floor | 6 m² × 60 | 360 |
| Labor, walls | 18 m² × 70 | 1,260 |
| Total | 2,915 |
Not included: demolition, disposal, plumbing and electrical work. These are example assumptions – use your local prices in the calculator.
All quantities and costs at a glance
TileWright calculates all of this live as you type – with a LiDAR room scan for real floor plans, doors and windows deducted automatically, a room designer and a PDF material list. Fully offline.
Download on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
It varies strongly by region, tile size and pattern. Use the calculator with local labor rates; walls and large formats cost more than standard floors.
What does it cost to tile a bathroom?
Bathrooms are the most expensive per area because of waterproofing, many cuts and wall work. Add demolition and plumbing if needed.
Is wall tile more expensive than floor tile?
Usually yes – the work is slower and there are more cuts around fixtures, windows and corners.
How much do tiling materials cost besides the tile?
Adhesive, grout and primer are a small share; waterproofing in wet areas adds noticeably more.
Is DIY tiling worth it?
For straight layouts up to 60 cm (24 in) on flat substrates often yes. Large formats, waterproofing and curbless showers are best left to professionals.