The Cost of Tile Flooring

When shopping for your new do-it-yourself tile floor, there are tiles to fit everyone's budget. However, when estimating your project cost, it is important to figure in all the costs so you're not surprised at the end.

The obvious cost is the tile itself. When measuring the square footage of your job, be sure to add at least 5-10% for waste. In a large, square room with few cuts, you may only have 5% or less waste. In a small, oddly shaped room like a bathroom, you may have much more. Also, if you are a beginner, expect to make some mistakes with the saw and the nippers, and have a few extra tiles on hand.

The second cost to figure is the thinset mortar. While it is generally not that expensive, you may need to add an epoxy additive in wet areas like bathrooms or tub surrounds. In that case, add the cost of the two. The packages will give the coverage of each package in square feet.

The Cost of Tile Flooring

The final material cost is the grout. There is a wide range in grout pricing. Many sanded and unsanded grouts are very inexpensive, while some of the epoxy grouts (like Spectrilock) are extremely expensive. The amount of grout needed varies based on the tile thickness and the width of the joints. Again, refer to the package for coverage and calculate the number of packages required.

You will also need some miscellaneous supplies for your tiling project. Have several new clean sponges handy, and a nice clean trowel of the right size.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you probably don't have a wet saw for cutting tile, but luckily most home improvement stores rent them by the day. Add this cost to the project.

If you factor all of these costs into your project, you can budget properly and buy the nicest tile that your budget can afford. For more tiling tips, see our Tile Installation Guide.

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