How Much Does Limestone Flooring Installation Cost?

Average Cost for Limestone Flooring Installation

Limestone Floor Material Prices

Standard limestone flooring costs $3 to $10 per square foot. Accent and mosaic limestone tiles can cost up to $30 per square foot. While adding specialty tiles can increase your costs for materials and installation, accent and mosaic limestone tiles are typically only used for inlays or borders.

Also, some contractors charge equipment allowance fees ranging from $50 to $100 for the entire job. This primarily accounts for the wear and tear placed on expensive tile-cutting saws.

Limestone Floor Installation Cost

Most local flooring contractors charge $40 to $75 per hour for installation. Many add a balance for a two-hour minimum used to cover the cost of project-related preparation, cleanup, or other tasks that's roughly $100 to $150. The average cost for labor only for a 350-square-foot room is $5,000 to $8,000.

Flat quotes based on square footage take into account labor costs, equipment costs, and the time needed to lay down the amount of tiles necessary to cover a room. Some contractors may charge a premium of $1 to $2 per square foot for extra-large rooms.

Limestone flooring labor typically covers:

• Design planning

• Materials acquisition

• Preparation and protection

• Setup

• Base application

• Laying out a pattern

• Fabrication

• Installation

• Grouting

• Cleanup

Limestone Flooring Cost by Type

Limestone flooring costs can vary from $750 to $3,500 for a 350-square-foot project, depending on which type of limestone you choose.

Honed Limestone

Expect to pay $3 to $6 per square foot for honed limestone. Honed limestone that has been sanded for a "flat" matte finish is usually the least expensive limestone flooring option.

Water-Worn Limestone

Limestone that has been aged costs $4 to $7 per square foot on average.

Brushed Limestone

Limestone with a textured finish costs $7 to $9 per square foot on average.

Polished Limestone

Considered the premium limestone option, polished limestone is available for $6 to $10 per square foot.

Mosaic Limestone

Mosaic limestone tiles cost $6 to $30 per square foot on average.

Limestone Flooring Installation Cost Factors

Stone type, square footage, and the designs you choose will factor into your total project cost.

Stone Type

The tiles you select can greatly influence cost because your price per square foot is replicated for every square foot of space needed.

Room Size

Larger rooms require more tiles with longer labor windows. Some contractors might charge a premium for each additional square foot over a standard room size for extra-large rooms.

Steps

If you need to tile steps, your contractor may charge you more per square foot for that section of your room because steps require more complicated cuts.

Removal of Existing Tile

If you need your existing tile ripped up before you can put new tile down, the cost is usually $1 to $6 per square foot. You'll typically get a lower rate if you use the same contractor for removal and installation because local flooring companies are inclined to give you better rates when you're giving them the whole project.

Cost to Install Limestone Flooring Yourself

You can expect to save $5,000 to $8,000 in labor costs by DIY. When installing your own limestone flooring, your main project cost will be the price per limestone tile you select multiplied by the size of the room you're tiling. When cutting natural stone, it's essential to have a wet saw with a diamond-encrusted blade. While a wet saw for cutting tile can cost up to $800, daily rentals ranging from $50 to $75 are available.

DIY vs. Hire a Limestone Tile Installation Pro

Anyone who feels comfortable using a saw to cut tile can realistically install a limestone floor. However, it's important to know the process is a delicate one that’s better left to the pros, because it requires installing properly, planning the layout, making precise cuts, and setting the flooring correctly to make sure your mortar fully adheres to your subfloor.

If you need to remove existing tile, using proper ventilation and protection is important because breaking up tile releases fine dust particles into the air that can be hazardous when breathed in. These dust particles can also damage your home if the area isn't properly contained.

FAQs

Is limestone tile hard to install?

As a natural stone, limestone can be delicate during installation. The porous nature of cheaper limestone tiles means they can easily absorb color from grout and mortar during installation if you're not skilled. The precision needed during cutting and setting can also make this a challenging project for people without tiling experience.

How long does limestone flooring last?

When properly installed, your limestone floors can last a lifetime.

How much do limestone flooring samples cost?

Most retailers sell limestone flooring samples for $2 to $10 per piece. If you're working with a contractor, they may be able to bring samples to your home for free as part of your estimate.

How often do limestone tiles need to be sealed?

We recommend resealing limestone tiles every two to five years. High-traffic areas will need to be sealed more often than low-traffic areas.