Bathroom tile installation costs $15 to $30 per square foot. Replacing existing tile adds $3 to $8 per square foot for demolition and disposal. Labor is about 65 percent of the total, the highest ratio of any tiled surface in a house, because a bathroom is small, full of corners and fixtures, and has to be waterproof.
A 40 square foot bathroom floor runs $600 to $1,200. A tub surround runs $1,200 to $2,500. A full shower enclosure runs $2,500 to $6,000.
Why bathroom tile costs more per foot than floor tile
| Factor | Kitchen or living floor | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|
| Labor share | About 60% | About 65% |
| Cuts per square foot | Low | High: toilet flange, vanity, threshold, niche |
| Waterproofing | None required | Membrane required in wet areas |
| Working room | Open | Cramped, which slows everything |
| Substrate | Often ready | Backer board or membrane needed |
The small room is the expensive room. A 40 square foot bathroom and a 40 square foot section of hallway are not comparable work. The bathroom has a toilet to cut around, a vanity to scribe to, a threshold, and often a tub edge, and every one of those is handwork.
What replacement adds
| Demolition type | Per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tile over backer board | $3 to $5 | Comes out in sheets, relatively clean |
| Tile over mortar bed | $5 to $8 | Heavy, slow, and loud |
| Tile over drywall in a wet area | $3 to $6 | Expect to replace substrate too |
Budget for a surprise. Old bathroom tile frequently hides a substrate that should not be reused, and discovering soft backer board behind a tub surround mid-demolition is the most common change order in this job.
Where to spend and where not to
Spend on the waterproofing system. A sheet or liquid membrane adds $400 to $900 over the older method and is the difference between a shower that lasts and one that rots quietly.
Do not overspend on floor tile in a small bathroom. At 40 square feet the difference between a $4 and a $9 tile is $200 on a job that costs thousands. Put the money into the wet wall where it is seen and where it works.
For the shower-specific numbers see walk-in shower remodel cost and shower pan installation cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does bathroom tile installation cost?
$15 to $30 per square foot installed. A 40 square foot floor is $600 to $1,200, a tub surround $1,200 to $2,500 and a full shower $2,500 to $6,000.
How much does it cost to replace bathroom tile?
Add $3 to $8 per square foot to the installation cost for demolition and disposal, depending on what the old tile was set over. Mortar beds are the expensive removal.
Why is bathroom tile more expensive than floor tile elsewhere?
More cuts per square foot, less room to work, and mandatory waterproofing in wet areas. Labor is about 65 percent of the job instead of 60.
Can you tile over existing bathroom tile?
On a floor, sometimes, if it is sound, flat and the height change is manageable. In a shower, no. You cannot verify or repair the waterproofing underneath, which is the whole point of the assembly.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
Three to five days for a floor and a tub surround, five to eight for a full shower enclosure, including setting, curing and grouting as separate stages.
Want the demolition risk priced before you commit? Bring photos of your current tile to our Derwood showroom and we will tell you what is likely behind it. Call (301) 939-0009 or book a showroom visit.