Porcelain Tile Floor Installation Costs

Porcelain tile floor installation is a great way to increase the value of a home and refresh any room’s design. Like most tile installations, this project cost is based on the tile used for the job and the cost of labor for prep, tile work, and cleanup. How many tiles you need will be one of the largest influencing factors in the cost of a new floor installation.

Porcelain tile and ceramic tile are similar in material and installation costs. In fact, they are usually lumped together when discussing tile types due to their overlapping costs and information. Essentially, porcelain is just a higher-quality version of ceramic tile that is made with a denser material for use in high-traffic areas.

Porcelain tile floor installation: 300-square foot space including materials and installation labor, assuming the use of mid-grade porcelain.

Other considerations and costs

• You will not need a backer board and a self-leveling compound. If you need minor leveling, the compound will do the job. Serious floor issues may require the installation of the backer board. This will affect your costs significantly, so be sure to talk to your flooring installer about what you need.
• Since porcelain is less porous, it doesn’t require any sealant or special treatment after installation. For excessively slick floors, or if you need to protect the grout, sealants are available as an optional addition to your installation project.
• Tile floors that have a lot of detail or require excessive tile cutting will generally cost more in labor and materials. You should always calculate how many tiles you need and then buy about 40% extra to account for waste. If you don’t need it, you can save it for repairs or return it for a refund if you have a lot leftover.
• This estimate does not include any taxes or disposal fees for old flooring removal, which may need to be factored into your budget.

DIY considerations

• Laying tile is intricate work that requires knowledge of using a tile saw and tile setting methods. If you have experience working with tile, you might be able to handle the work on your own to reduce your costs by cutting out the professional labor.
• If you’re less picky about your tile design, consider shopping the clearance section at your local home improvement store or an online retailer. You could find great tiles for a much lower price that have been discontinued or that were ordered incorrectly. This can save as much as 50% or more on your materials costs.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.