How Much Does Retiling a Bathroom Cost? (2024)
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We averaged prices from multiple home improvement reports and found that new bathroom tile usually costs $12.50 to $25 per square foot, with an average total of $2,000.* Numerous factors can impact this price, which we’ve detailed below. We’ve also provided a list of signs it’s time to retile your bathroom and advice for hiring a professional.
Tile is a functional, beautiful addition to any bathroom. It’s water-resistant and can also serve as a stylish accent, especially if you choose unique designs or high-end materials. See our guide to bathroom remodeling costs if you’re retiling your bathroom as part of a bigger project.
*Article cost data is averaged from multiple reports, including Angi, Fixr, Home Advisor, and HomeGuide.
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Walk-In Shower Installation
The cost of a new walk-in shower ranges from $3,500 to $15,000.
Bathtub
Installation
The national average cost to install a bathtub can range from $1,500 to $10,000.
Bathroom Retiling Cost Factors
The total price of your tiling project depends on the type of tile you choose, its pattern, and your bathroom size.
Tile Material
Tile is typically sold by the square foot, and the price depends on what it’s made out of. Here are the most common tile materials.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic is made of fired clay and comes in a wide variety of colors, hardnesses, and prices. Since ceramic is naturally porous, any ceramic tiles used in a bathroom should be glazed to keep water out. Many homeowners think glazing refers to a shiny appearance, but it’s actually a protective coating made of enamel or liquid glass that can be either matte or glossy.
Softer ceramic can be used in wall tiles but won’t hold up as flooring.
Travertine Tile
Travertine is a form of limestone that’s often cross-cut to show the unique holes and troughs throughout the stone. Like ceramic, it’s porous and must be sealed, but it provides the look of natural stone at a lower price point and weight than many other stone tiles.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is a type of ceramic that’s made out of a finer clay and fired at a higher temperature. This makes it naturally impervious to water and staining. It’s also more resistant to cracking and chipping than other forms of ceramic, but it’s a bit more expensive.
Marble Tile
Marble is a luxurious material for flooring and wall tiles, available in many colors and patterns. It requires more maintenance than many other bathroom materials since it must be periodically resealed. It can also stain or etch if the wrong cleaning products are used.
Slate Tile
Slate is another natural stone option for a more rustic feel. It can be gauged—that is, cut and shaped into uniform size and thickness—or ungauged. Rougher, ungauged slate is less expensive to buy but more expensive to install.
Terracotta Tile
Terracotta tiles may be glazed or unglazed, but unglazed tiles must be carefully sealed to keep water out. These tiles are available in many different sizes and finishes.
Granite Tile
A somewhat uncommon bathroom tile, granite provides a polished stone look similar to marble or limestone but without the higher maintenance. Granite tiles are extremely durable, but they’re also very heavy and generally quite expensive.
Glass Tile
Glass tiles are more commonly used for shower walls than bathroom floors, but some types of glass are appropriate for flooring. Glass is often used in mosaic tile designs.
Pebble Tile
Small, smooth beach stones are sometimes glued to mesh sheets, coated in clear epoxy, and sold as pebble tile. This material is expensive but provides a natural, beachy look.
Tile Material | Cost Range |
---|---|
Ceramic |
$1–$30 |
Travertine |
$2–$30 |
Porcelain |
$3–$30 |
Marble |
$3–$50 |
Slate |
$4–$20 |
Terracotta |
$5–$15 |
Granite |
$10–$200 |
Glass |
$20–$100 |
Pebble |
$30–$40 |
Tile Design
The design in which the tile is laid also affects your total price. Some designs are more complicated than others, leading to higher installation costs. Some designs also require more tiles or create extra waste when cutting the tiles, increasing material costs.
- Straight set: This is the simplest and least expensive tile pattern, in which square or rectangular tiles are simply stacked edge-to-edge in straight lines.
- Running bond: Also commonly called offset or subway tile, this popular design has even rows with each tile offset 50% from the tile above it. This design costs about 10% to 15% more than straight set tile.
- Mosaic: Mosaic tiles are typically small and come in a number of shapes, though hexagons are common. They’re often installed as 12-by-12-inch sheets, so they’re not extremely expensive, but they may cost 10% to 20% more than a straight set design.
- Decorative border: Creating a border at the top or bottom of a wall, or even across the middle, can add visual flair. It will add about 10% to 30% to your final price.
- Diagonal: A diagonal or diamond pattern includes rows of square or rectangular tiles turned 45 degrees. Maintaining the correct angle is more difficult than with straight rows, so this will add about 20% to 30% to your total.
- Herringbone: For a herringbone design, tile contractors lay rectangular tiles at opposing diagonals to create a chevron-like pattern. This is similar in price to a diagonal pattern.
- Large format: Although larger tiles require less grout, they may require extra backing or mortar, so they’re fairly expensive to install.
Tile Design | Cost Range |
---|---|
Straight set |
$3–$30 |
Running bond/subway tile |
$3.30–$34.50 |
Mosaic |
$3.30–$36 |
Decorative border |
$3.30–$39 |
Diagonal |
$3.60–$36 |
Herringbone |
$3.60–$36 |
Large format |
$10–$40 |
Bathroom Size
As you might expect, a small bathroom costs less to retile than a large one. Including both materials and labor, it usually costs between $12.50 and $25 to install tile. Keep in mind that square footage applies to the surface area of the bathroom floor, shower walls, backsplash, countertops or any other areas that need tiling, not the square footage of the bathroom itself.
Tiled Area (in Square Feet) | Cost Range |
---|---|
50 |
$625–$1,250 |
100 |
$1,250–$2,500 |
200 |
$2,500–$5,000 |
500 |
$6,250–$12,500 |
1,000 |
$12,500–$25,000 |
Labor Cost
Labor typically costs $7 to $14 per square foot of material, or a little over 50% of the total cost. Delicate materials and complicated patterns cost more and take longer to install, so tile contractors typically charge more. Some charge an hourly rate, usually between $30 and $120 per hour.
Additional Factors Affecting Bathroom Retiling Cost
Depending on the specifics of your bathroom renovation, you may incur the following additional costs.
New vs. Existing Tile Installation
Laying tile in a new bathroom is slightly less expensive than retiling because the latter requires ripping up the old tiles and scraping away the remaining grout or caulk. Professional tile removal costs $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot. You may be able to do this project yourself, but you’ll need to take care not to damage the waterproofing or subflooring materials underneath.
Repairs
If there’s any mold or water damage to your bathroom walls or floor, you’ll need to repair it before installing new tiles. You may also need new drywall or backer board, depending on the extent of the damage. Here are some costs per square foot for repair materials:
- Backer boards or underlayment: $0.50–$1.00
- Mortar or grout: $0.50–$1.60
- Waterproof membrane: $0.50–$2.00
Bathroom Layout
If your bathroom has a lot of fixtures, tight spaces, or unusual angles, this will require more cutting and shaping of tiles, so the overall cost may be higher. Walls that aren’t square or don’t meet at 90-degree angles will require similar care. Additionally, areas of the bathroom that are difficult to access may increase the time the project takes, and thus the price.
Professional vs. DIY Bathroom Retiling
Tiling can be a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, but some homeowners may want professional installation to avoid the hassle.
Professional Bathroom Retiling
Though you’ll have to pay for labor, professional tile contractors will be able to do the job more quickly and efficiently than you. Your bathroom won’t be out of commission for as long, and you’ll know that the walls and flooring are properly protected from water damage. Additionally, pros have experience with equipment like tile saws to ensure a clean-looking finished product. If you have a large or complicated tiling project, we recommend hiring professional contractors.
How to Hire a Professional
When deciding between tiling contractors, here’s what to look for.
- Tiling doesn’t require a specialized trade license, but a professional should have a current contractor’s license and be bonded and insured.
- If you’re using high-end or specialty materials or want a complicated pattern, make sure the contractor has the specific experience you’re looking for.
- Check out the company’s Better Business Bureau page as well as customer reviews on sites such as Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
- Get cost estimates from at least three local contractors before making your choice.
DIY Bathroom Retiling
If you have the time, you can save on labor costs by retiling your bathroom yourself. Tiling doesn’t require a great deal of specialized knowledge or skills, but it does require patience and precision. In addition to the tile and grout, you’ll need a tile spacer, grout float, and tile cutter, as well as grout sealant and haze cleaner for finishing. You’ll need to work carefully around the showerhead and other features and ensure that everything is properly sealed.
Signs You Need to Retile Your Bathroom
Here are some signs it may be time to replace your bathroom floor, wall, or shower tile.
- Cracked or worn tiles
- Outdated designs or colors
- Stained tiles or grout
- Moldy grout
How to Reduce Bathroom Retiling Costs
Here are some ways to save money on your bathroom remodel tiling project.
- Choose medium-size tiles, since small tiles take longer to install and large ones require more careful handling.
- Opt for basic ceramic tile in a simple pattern.
- Remove the old tiles yourself. If you have the time, you can even lay the new tile yourself.
- Tile only certain features like the shower or backsplash instead of the entire bathroom.
- Use high-end or specialty tiles only as accents or borders rather than for the whole project.
- Consider reglazing your bathroom tile instead of replacing it.
Our Recommendation
Tile protects your bathroom walls and floor from water and adds a decorative touch. There are numerous options, whether you want simple, cost-effective bathroom tile or something more luxurious and unique. You can even install tile yourself if you have the time and home improvement savvy. Check out some modern bathroom design ideas for inspiration, and enjoy the refreshed look of your bathroom.
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Just answer a few questions, and we'll take care of the rest.
Bathroom Retiling FAQ
What is the average cost of retiling a bathroom?
The exact cost of retiling depends on the type of tile you choose and the size of your bathroom, but the average is about $2,000 including labor.
How long does it take to re-tile a bathroom?
A professional tile contractor typically takes 6 to 8 hours to retile a bathroom. DIY projects will take longer.
Can I retile my bathroom myself, or should I hire a professional?
Laying tile doesn’t have many safety risks, so you can retile your bathroom yourself. However, it’s time-consuming and risks water damage if done improperly. Small tiling projects are generally better suited to DIY installation than whole-bathroom projects.
How do I choose the right tiles for my bathroom?
With so many options, it can be difficult to pick the right bathroom tile. Here are some things to keep in mind.Pick no more than three different types of tiles for the whole bathroom (for example: floor tile, wall tile, and accent tile).If there’s a certain tile you know you want, pick that out first and plan your other choices around it.Pick a basic color palette for the bathroom and stick to it.Use tile size and pattern to add visual interest.Consider maintenance and cleaning requirements.
Can I tile over existing tiles in my bathroom?
Yes, you can lay new tile over old tile. However, the old tile needs to be in good condition since cracked or warped tiles create an uneven surface.
How do I maintain my newly tiled bathroom?
You should maintain your tiled bathroom by sweeping and mopping once a week, though some specialty materials, such as natural stone, may require extra maintenance. Glazed tiles can be cleaned with most multipurpose cleaning solutions, though unglazed tiles may require a special concentrated cleaner. Always rinse when finished, and never use bleach.