How Much Does Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Installation Cost in 2025?
Installing tile costs an average of $2,116
Tile installation costs $2,116 on average, but prices swing as low as $400 or as high as $7,000 based on the details of your project.
The per-square-foot cost averages between $5 and $45.
Porcelain tiles start at $2 per square foot, while ceramic tile costs begin at $4 per square foot.
Costs vary based on tile type, size, labor, prep work, and location.
Bringing in a local pro delivers a polished finish and often saves both time and costly do-over work.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The average cost of tile installation is $2,116, though projects can range from $400 to $7,000 depending on tile type, project size, and labor costs. The average cost range per square foot is $5 to $45. Key cost drivers include your project’s size, demolition and prep, tile type, and labor.
Budgeting for your ceramic or porcelain tile installation project is essential to ensure you can achieve the desired results without unexpected expenses. Hiring a professional tiler can help you get proper installation, ensuring longevity and a high-quality finish.
Tile Installation Cost Factors
Several factors influence the final cost of your tile installation, in addition to the tiles themselves. Understanding these can help you budget effectively. Here's what you need to know about the most common tile installation cost factors.
Location
The location of your tile installation affects the cost due to differences in tile size, type, and prep work. Kitchens and bathrooms often cost more because they require moisture-resistant materials and vapor barriers. Floors are often less expensive to tile than walls since floor tiles are larger and quicker to install. Here's what you can expect:
| Tile Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen floors | $800–$3,000 |
| Bathroom floors | $300–$1,300 |
| Countertops | $500–$3,000 |
| Shower | $1,800–$5,000 |
| Backsplash | $480–$1,500 |
Demolition and Prep Work
Removing old tiles and repairing any damage ranges from $2 to $7 per square foot. Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen? Factor this line item in early and ask your contractor whether the bid covers both removal and new installation.
Surface Prep
The condition of your surface greatly impacts the cost. A smooth surface that's ready for tile saves time and money, but if it's cracked, damaged, or uneven, additional labor will add to your total cost. Time spent preparing the underlying surface will increase labor expenses.
Labor
If you hire a local tile installation pro, you'll pay anywhere from $3 to $15 per square foot for labor, which equates to $60 to $120 per hour. The range is so wide because some tiles, such as mosaics and custom ones, are more challenging and time-consuming to install.
Overages
Order an extra 10% to 15% of tiles to cover any damages during installation and future repairs. Keeping spare tiles on hand is smart since your chosen tiles might be discontinued or the colors might vary in the future.
Ongoing Maintenance
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are low maintenance but require regular cleaning. Grout may need cleaning, whitening, or replacing, and seals might need upkeep. These are minor costs but worth noting. If a tile cracks beyond repair, replace it promptly, especially in damp areas like showers.
Tiling pros may charge minimum fees for small jobs. Replacing just one or two tiles may cost more due to these minimum charges.
Tile Rating
There are two types of tile rating: strength and porosity. Strength rating tells you what application the tiles are best suited for, while porosity tells you their absorbency rating.
Strength Classification
| Tile Class | Best For |
|---|---|
| Class I | For use as wall tiles only |
| Class II | Walls and light traffic areas such as bathrooms |
| Class III | Suitable for countertops and walls, plus areas of moderate foot traffic |
| Class IV | Suited for use in all residential applications |
| Class V | Maximum durability; rated for industrial and commercial use |
Porosity Rating
| Tile Type | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Non-vitreous | $1–$5 | Most absorbent tile type; absorption rate of 7%; best used in dry indoor locations; commonly used as accents or decorative inlays |
| Semi-vitreous | $4–$8 | 3%–7% water absorption rate; only for wall and light traffic flooring; can be used in moist areas with a multilayer glaze but must be resealed if glaze cracks |
| Vitreous | $4–$8 | Absorbency rating of up to 3%; porcelain- and floor-rated ceramic tiles are generally vitreous; ceramic tiles need a glaze and should be resealed if cracked or crazed; porcelain tile doesn't need a glaze |
| Impervious | $5–$10 | Least absorbent, with a less than 0.5% absorbency rating; considered frost-proof; can be used indoor or outdoor; can withstand direct water exposure; usually porcelain or glass |
Project Size
Understanding the size of your project and your budget helps you choose the right tile. Here are the average costs based on common project sizes:
| Square Footage | Average Cost (All-In) |
|---|---|
| 10 | $50–$450 |
| 20 | $125–$1,125 |
| 50 | $250–$2,250 |
| 75 | $375–$3,375 |
| 100 | $500–$4,500 |
| 150 | $750–$6,750 |
| 200 | $1,000–$9,000 |
| 250 | $1,250–$11,250 |
| 300 | $1,500–$13,500 |
Note: These costs include labor for installing new tiles but not for removing old ones. Removing old tiles costs $2 to $7 per square foot.
Cost to Install Porcelain and Ceramic Tile by Type
Tile prices vary considerably by type, with glazed ceramic being the most affordable and custom ceramic being the most costly because of the time-consuming creation process and the high degree of skill required to make it.
Glazed ceramic tiles have a liquid glass or enamel coating with a glossy or matte finish. Glazing is common with ceramics as it increases water resistance. However, the glaze isn't indestructible, so you'll need to reseal cracked glazed tiles before they absorb moisture.
| Type | Average Materials Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Glazed ceramic | $4–$15 |
| Unglazed ceramic | $4–$35 |
| Porcelain | $2–$15 |
| Wood-look porcelain | $3–$12 |
Budgeting for Tile Installation Costs
Consider these cost-saving tips to make your tiling project more wallet-friendly:
Shop for tile yourself: scoring sale or clearance boxes can shave a chunk off material costs.
Do some prep work: Remove old tiles and dispose of waste yourself to reduce labor costs.
Handle finishing touches: Save money by sealing edges and repainting baseboards or walls yourself after installation.
DIY vs. Hiring a Tiler
Installing tile yourself can trim labor costs, but you’ll still need to rent or buy tools, and the job often takes longer for DIYers. If your priority is a flawless finish, call in a seasoned tiler. A pro installs faster, protects your warranty, and leaves you with a surface that stands up to daily wear. Contact a local tile professional for work that looks sharp and lasts.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both materials work well, so start by thinking about foot traffic and budget. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water, so it’s ideal for busy entries, kitchens, and baths—even if it costs a little more.
Ceramic is lighter, easier to cut, and comes in a wider range of styles, making it a solid pick for walls or light-use floors. Match the tile’s durability rating to the space, and you’ll get the best balance of looks, performance, and price.
A solid subfloor starts with a flat, crack-free surface. Your installer will level any low spots, reinforce weak areas, and screw down fiber-cement backer board or quality plywood before setting tile.
Skipping this step invites movement, cracked grout, and even water damage—issues that are far pricier than prep work. Hire a pro to get the base right, and your new tile will look sharp and stay put for years.
Give the thin-set 24 to 48 hours to cure before you start grouting. Rushing the process can nudge tiles out of place, weaken the bond, and create cracks you’ll have to fix later. Keep foot traffic off the area until you’re ready to grout, and you’ll lock in a strong, even finish that lasts.
Tile size changes the workload. Large-format pieces mean fewer grout lines and faster coverage, but they’re heavier and need careful handling to avoid breakage and lippage. Small mosaics create intricate looks yet take more time to set and space correctly, so labor costs climb. Weigh your style goals against the extra effort (and budget) each option requires before you decide.
You can leave tiles ungrouted for a short window, but only if the surface stays clean and undisturbed. Once the thin-set cures, finish the job as soon as possible. Grout seals joints against moisture and locks the layout in place; waiting too long invites dirt, water, and movement that can shorten the life of your new surface.
Use at least two millimeter spacers on walls and three millimeter spacers on floors to give grout room to bond and absorb normal expansion. Larger, rustic tiles may call for wider joints, while precision-cut porcelain often looks best with tighter gaps. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and local code, and you’ll end up with an even, long-lasting layout.
- Tile Install or Repair
- Tile: Natural Stone (Granite, Marble, Slate, Quartz, etc) - Repair
- Tile, Stone, Marble - Clean, Grout, Polish and Maintain
- Tile: Ceramic and Porcelain - Repair
- Grout: Replace or Repair
- Marble Restoration & Polishing
- Stone Restoration & Polishing
- Granite Restoration & Polishing
- Tile & Grout Cleaning
Get our Angi-powered app
