What tile flooring costs, installed
Tile is mostly labor. The tile itself can be cheap; setting it flat in mortar, cutting it around a room, grouting and sealing is skilled work priced by the square foot and by the pattern. Large-format and herringbone cost more to lay than a straight grid of 12-by-24s.
$9–$40.50 per square foot installed
Full range $6–$50. Typical installed cost is the middle half of the national range, materials and labor at average rates. Builder-grade product with the cheapest crew runs under it; premium product with a specialist runs over.
| Material | Installed | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain TileDensest, hardest, most water-resistant mainstream floor — and the best wood-look plank made. | $13.50–$24 / sq ft | 50–100 yrs |
| Ceramic TileSofter, cheaper, easier to cut — best kept indoors and dry-ish. | $9–$15 / sq ft | 25–50 yrs |
| Natural StoneMarble, travertine, slate, limestone, granite — no two alike. | $21–$40.50 / sq ft | 50–100 yrs |
Three things that change the price
- Porcelain versus ceramic versus natural stone: stone needs sealing and a stiffer floor
- Format and pattern: large tiles and diagonals raise the labor
- What is under it: a wood floor needs a backer or membrane, a slab needs to be flat
Put your own square feet in
National averages: material plus installation per square foot from the same cost tables FlooringFAQ publishes, extras at typical contractor rates. Local labor moves the range; a quote far outside it deserves a question.
Want an actual local price?
Labor rates, removal and prep vary by town and by house. Local professionals can quote the scope above; compare them on the same square feet.
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