Average Cost to Retile a Shower or Bathroom
Retiling a shower costs $12.50 per square foot. With labor included, homeowners spend $2,000 on average, or between $450 and $10,000 depending on square footage, contractor rate, tile design and type, waterproofing and regrouting. Compare quotes from local tile installers for the best price on your like-new shower.
Your bathroom is probably your home's most trafficked zone. You should retile it every 3 to 5 years. However, replace peeling, cracked, or missing grout immediately. Perhaps stubborn dirt or mold has spoiled the aesthetic. Or, they may have split. Maybe you need new tiles to complement a redesign. Whatever the reason, it's great to know the costs while you budget.
On This Page:
Shower or Bathroom Tiling Cost Per Square Foot
| Average Cost | $12.50 per square foot |
| High Cost | $2 per square foot |
| Low Cost | $17 per square foot |
Cost to Retile Shower
The average cost to retile a shower is $12.50 per square foot. Costs vary according to type
- Marble tile: $8 per square foot
- Granite tile: $3-$7 per square foot
- Limestone tile: $5 per square foot
- Slate: $3-$4 per square foot
- Travertine tile: $2-$3 per square foot
- Ceramic: $0.50-$15 per square foot
Typical labor cost totals between $600 and $800, depending on your contractor. Fifty percent of labor costs goes towards tile removal, while the other half is for installation.
Tiling Price by Design
Diagonal patterns can cost $2 to $4 more per square foot, in addition to the $12.50 base rate. Graphic or patterned, multicolored, encaustic cement tiles are also the latest shower trend. This comes in a matte finish and costs roughly $10.95 per square foot.
Diagonal designs, like a herringbone pattern, are tricky to install, so your contractor could charge more for labor. Installing tile in a shower with 3x5 tiles is also more labor intensive and expensive.
Chic herringbone wall tile has become a shower design trend. It's just as alluring as traditional parquet flooring. You can mix plain or colored tiles for a bolder look, or use all the same color for a simpler effect. Remember that tiles are cut diagonally for herringbone layouts, so you could end up wasting up to 20% of the tile.
Cost to Replace Shower Tile
The minimum cost to retile a bathroom shower is $150, even if you only need to replace a single tile. The cost to replace a singular tile may depend on the type of tile material, its availability, your contractor's hourly rate, and their minimum cost per job.
It's unwise to neglect broken tiles because they let moisture seep beneath the surface. Over time, this could damage your framing or sub-floor, which can result in tile or grout repair costs in the long run. Many homeowners buy a few extra tiles before installation for this reason.
Cost to Redo Shower Tile Base
The cost of concrete tile shower bases or pans depends on labor charges in your area. Other price factors include the tile design and material. Designs could range from pebble stone to colored mosaic. Contact a tiler in your area for their rate and a project estimate.
Compare Quotes From Tile Tiling Professionals Near You
Cost to Retile Bathroom
For walls, you're looking at a minimum of $2.50 to $3 per square foot with a maximum of $7 to $8 per square foot. The size of your bathroom dictates the total price of materials and labor. Tile design can also affect labor fees.
Regrouting material costs about $10 to $25 per square foot, excluding labor. Your contractor may need to conduct additional work on your waterproofing membrane if it's damaged. He or she will check for damages and charge you accordingly if there are any.
Expect to pay the following per square foot for these tile types:
| Type | Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Marble | $8 |
| Slate | $3 - $4 |
| Limestone | $5 |
| Ceramic | $0.50 - $15 |
| Granite | $3 - $7 |
| Travertine | $2 - $3 |
| Metal subway tile | $15 - $25 |
| Grass tile cost | $32 |
| Herringbone tile | $14.50 - $16.50 |
Cost to Retile Bathroom Floor
Having a pro remove your old floor tiles could cost you an average of $3 to $5 per square foot, while installation could range from $5 to $17 per square foot. For a 10-by-10 bathroom, you could pay $300 on the low end for tile removal and $500 to $1700 for installation.
Cost of Retiling a Small Bathroom
Tiles for a small bathroom costs an average of $1,000, or $12 to $23 per square foot. Measure the size of your bathroom to calculate how many you'll need. A 6 by 6-foot bathroom is considered tiny, while a small family sized bathroom is 5 by 8 foot. Remember labor fees differ per contractor and area. Cost also depends on your tile type and design. The above-mentioned prices are for ceramic tiles.
DIY vs. Hiring a Tiler
Retiling your own bathroom may give you a sense of accomplishment, but there's a downside to it. Unlike simple projects like changing fixtures or painting, it's best to hire a professional for retiling. Here's why:
- Tiling requires specialized cutting skills and equipment since tiles need to fit into awkward spaces.
- A professional will know exactly how much material to order, so you won't waste money by ordering too much.
- Spacing grout lines correctly is a skilled art form, so experienced tile installers can do it quickly and evenly.
- A tiler will quickly remove all your old tiles, and clean up the mess too.
You can find trusted shower and bathroom tilers near you if you don't feel comfortable with a DIY. We'd love to know about your bathroom retiling experience. Tell us about your project in the comments below.
FAQs
How much does a walk-in tiled shower cost?
A tiled walk-in shower costs $2,500 to $5,000. Some contractors may charge more than$10,000 depending on the tile.
How much does a new tile shower cost?
A new tile shower installation costs an average of $25 per square foot. Tiling is more expensive than retiling because it needs more preparation. Contractors level, clean, and prime floors before tiling. They also waterproof, and remove old paint and adhesive from walls before tiling.
What is the best way to clean a ceramic tile shower?
Steam cleaning is the best way to clean tile. It's quicker than other methods, less abrasive, and cleans more thoroughly. While you may be able to hire steam cleaning equipment, the quality may not be as good as the ones used by tile and grout cleaning professionals.
Pros also know which cleaning solutions work best. They can also save you a lot of time, so it's best you hire a tiling pro.
How much does it cost to replace pool tile?
Your average cost to replace pool tile is $25 per square foot plus $150 per skimmer. A whole pool project could cost you $2,500 to $5,000. Price depends on the tile type and size of your pool.
