How Much Does It Cost to Tile a Bathroom in 2024?

Updating shabby tiles is a critical component of each bathroom renovation, no matter its extent and the financial resources involved. Not only can tiles improve the look and feel of the space, but they can also provide a water-resistant protective layer for the floors, walls, and countertops. Additionally, tiling ensures easy bathroom maintenance by offering a hygienic surface that's simple to clean. 

Depending on the scale of your renovation, the choice of tiles, and the labor involved, bathroom retiling can be a significant investment. However, it's an excellent long-term solution that also boosts the overall value of your home. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the factors influencing the cost of tiling a bathroom, providing clear and comprehensive information to help you eliminate the guesswork and plan your budget effectively. 

Count on MyHomeQuote to be your guiding partner through this potentially daunting process. With expert advice and detailed cost estimation, we will make sure you get the best value for your investment in your bathroom retiling project.

The National Average Cost to Retile a Bathroom

Depending on your bathroom size and the square footage of the area you want to retile, the average cost of a tiling project may range from $500 to $11,200. The quality and type of the tiles also affect the estimation, as spending on material accounts for 45%-55% of the total bathroom retiling budget. Thus, opting for high-end materials like marble can substantially increase the cost compared to ceramic and porcelain, which are kinder to the budget. 

To set aside all cost-formation factors, the average nationwide bathroom tile installation cost is $13 per square foot, including material and labor. Therefore, understanding these figures can provide a good starting point in your budget planning, allowing you to adjust as per your specific project needs.

Bathroom tile cost calculator

Critical Factors Affecting the Cost to Tile a Bathroom

Embarking on a bathroom retiling project can be challenging. The financial spectrum of this undertaking is considerable, with the potential to spend anywhere from a mere few hundred dollars to a daunting five-figure sum. Various factors contribute to this significant variance in cost, thus laying the groundwork for an essential understanding before setting a realistic budget for your bathroom retiling project.

The Average Cost to Tile a Bathroom by Size of Tiled Area

The cost of tiling typically revolves around the specific tiled area. This includes not just the floor but extends to the shower walls, backsplash, countertops, and any other area requiring tiling. It is essential to remember that the costs are primarily driven by the surface area that needs to be tiled rather than the overall square footage of the bathroom itself.

See the table below to check the cost of tiling a bathroom according to the different tiled areas.

The Average Cost to Retile a Bathroom by Type of Tiled Area

Tile installation costs vary depending on the area you choose to tile. For example, tiling a shower may be more expensive than tiling a floor or a countertop due to the complexities involved in waterproofing and fitting around fixtures. Furthermore, installing tiles on walls or in hard-to-reach areas may also incur additional costs due to the extra time and specialist skills required. Therefore, understanding the cost implications of the selected area to be tiled can significantly influence your budget and material choices.

Floor Tiles

The cost of tile installation on a bathroom floor primarily depends upon the labor, material cost, and size of the area. Additional cost-formation factors may include the complexity of the design, any necessary repairs or preparation to the subfloor, and regional labor rates. 

The average cost of installing a tile floor in a bathroom ranges from $8 to $26 per square foot, including material and labor. Considering the average bathroom floor size of 40 square feet, you can expect to spend around $1,150 - $3,950. Installing natural stone tile flooring may have a higher price tag than the specified average. 

Shower Tiles

The cost of tiling a shower can often be greater than other tiling projects due to the complex surfaces and areas that need to be covered. This includes the shower floor and walls, which adds to the total square footage and, consequently, the overall cost. Further, installation in a wet area like a shower often requires a certain degree of waterproofing, which may add to the overall labor and material costs. 

The cost to tile a shower ranges from $7 to $30 per square foot, depending on the tile material, style, and complexity of the shower design. Considering the total square footage of a shower space is around 110 square feet, you can expect to spend up to $1,300 to tile the floor and up to $2,000 to tile the walls. Tiling a walk-in shower always costs more than the average shower, running from $1,400 to $3,500.

Wall Tiles

The wall tile installation cost depends on the type and quality of the material used and the space size. A plethora of tile options are available in the market, ranging from affordable ceramic and porcelain to more expensive glass, stone, or mosaic tiles. Larger bathrooms or ones needing full wall tiling require more materials and labor, thereby increasing the costs. 

The average material and labor cost to install wall tile ranges from $7,50 to $25 per square foot or $850 - $1,800 per project. The price will depend on whether you tile every wall in your bathroom or only selected ones. Please note that if your bathroom walls are damaged, uneven, or require any prep work before the tiles can be installed, this will also add to the overall cost.

Cost to tile a bathroom by tiled area.

The Average Bathroom Tile Cost by Material

Choosing the right tile for your bathroom renovation has a significant impact on your overall budget. The diverse range of available tile materials offers options for different budgets, from affordable travertine at $3-$5 per square foot to more premium choices like hand-painted ceramic or natural stone tiles that cost up to $15 per square foot. Below, we will provide insight into the costs of bathroom tiling based on the material and essential information for planning your retiling project.

The Average Bathroom Tile Installation Cost by Tile Design

Bathroom tiling is an investment that can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space, but it's essential to understand how patterns can impact total costs. While basic designs like a straight set or running bond may be more cost-effective, intricate patterns like mosaic or herringbone involve a heightened level of complexity and can result in higher labor costs. The table below outlines the average costs associated with popular tiling patterns to aid you in making an informed decision for your bathroom tiling project.

Here is how much to tile a bathroom by tile pattern.

Additional Factors Affecting the Average Cost to Tile a Bathroom

The investment in a bathroom tiling project depends not only on the size and material of the tiles but also on less apparent factors like bathroom layout and accessibility, any repair job required, and the need to remove and dispose of the existing tiles. 

Layout and Accessibility of the Bathroom

The cost of fitting tiles in a bathroom can fluctuate based on the configuration and accessibility of the room. Spaces with unconventional curves or turns require additional attention and tile trimming during the installation process. On top of that, some bathrooms may have more access difficulties. In this case, you should anticipate a higher outlay for labor charges.

Preparatory Work Before Tile Installation

The state of your existing subflooring and bathroom walls can affect the price of setting new tiles in the bathroom. Surface preparation for new tiles can sometimes reveal issues that need addressing before proceeding with the tiling, which can lead to an increase in installation costs. These additional preparations could increase the total bathroom tiling cost by anywhere from $180 to $350. 

Floor Repair or Removal 

Depending on the age and condition of the existing floors, you may need to repair or replace them. The cost to repair the subfloor is around $150. The cost of bathroom floor repair ranges from as low as $80 to as high as $450 per project, depending on the material and extent of damage. Removing old flooring in a bathroom is usually priced around $2 to $6 per square foot or $170 - $300 in total.

It's important to note that certain contractors may not incorporate the price of old flooring removal and disposal in their initial estimates. Therefore, checking these details with the flooring installers upfront is advisable to avoid unexpected additional fees. However, with MyHomeQuote, you can rest assured that your personalized bathroom tiling quotes will include all potential costs, providing a comprehensive picture of your project expenditure.

Labor Cost to Retile a Bathroom

When it comes to bathroom retiling, both DIY and professional approaches are acceptable. If you've selected ceramic or porcelain tile with a simple pattern and you have all the necessary tools in your arsenal, like a tile saw and spacer, you can accomplish the whole installation yourself. Nevertheless, even lightweight and simple-to-install tiles require precise mounting and proper sealing. That is why professional installation is always a cost-efficient option to consider. 

Depending on the tile material and design, you can expect to be charged from $35 to $130 per hour or $4 to $12 per square foot. Installing travertine and marble tiles will cost you from $6 to $15 per square foot, while ceramic tiles cost only $5,50 per square foot. The cost can vary even further based on the complexity of the design you select. If you choose to have an intricate pattern, you should anticipate a higher price due to the increased labor time required for detailed work. Furthermore, if custom-cut tiles are needed to fit specific spaces, this could also result in additional charges.