Tile Project Cost Estimator
Your project
Budget ceramic ~$2, mid porcelain ~$3.50, stone $6–15.
Estimated total budget
$1,554.00
- Tile (132 sq ft)
- $462.00
- Thinset (2 bags)
- $44.00
- Grout (~1 lbs)
- $18.00
- Sealer + edge trim
- $190.00
- Labor (avg $7/sq ft)
- $840.00
Add 15% contingency — every tile job finds one surprise under the old floor.
Tools the pros use for this job
Starter Tool Kit
Tile Tools Stainless Steel Square Notch Trowel Set Plus Rubber Grout Float and Grout Sponge for Tiling Installation Grouting
Check price on AmazonDIY? One kit at ~$150 beats buying tools piecemeal.
Tile Wet Saw
The one big DIY tool purchase — often cheaper than 2 weekends of rental.
Thinset Mortar
Sponsored Ad - 3 Pack 12x24 Inch Heavy Duty Grout Mortar Bags with Tip-Blue | Heavy Duty PVC Tear Resistant Puncture Tip Cement Sealer Bag, Grout Bag for Tile Installation, Easy to clean
Check price on AmazonPolymer-modified is worth the extra few dollars per bag.
Paid links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How this calculator works
We price the full material stack from your area: tile (with waste), backer board where the substrate needs it, thinset at 75 sq ft per bag, grout by joint volume, sealer, and edge trim. Labor is estimated at a national-average $7/sq ft; DIY swaps labor for a ~$150 tool budget.
What this cannot see: demolition of the old floor (add $3–6/sq ft), self-leveling ($1.50–$4/sq ft where needed), and radiant heat (~$10–15/sq ft). Use those calculators for the add-ons.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical tile project cost in total?
A professionally installed 120 sq ft floor with mid-range tile lands around $1,800–$2,600 all-in. DIY with the same materials typically runs $700–$1,000, plus your weekends.
Where do tile budgets blow up?
Prep, almost always. The quote says 'install' but the floor needs leveling, the subfloor needs board, or the old floor needs demolition. Budget a 15% contingency for what the installer finds under the old floor.
Is it cheaper to DIY a tile floor?
On materials, no — you pay the same. You save the labor ($5–9/sq ft) but spend $100–300 on tools and risk a redo. Small, simple rooms are great DIY candidates; showers and large-format floors punish mistakes expensively.
Related calculators
Guides worth reading next
- How Much Does It Cost to Tile a Bathroom? (Full Breakdown)Real 2026 numbers for a 5×8 bathroom: floor, shower walls, and the prep line items quotes hide — demo, waterproofing, backer board and trim.
- How to Measure a Room for Tile (Step by Step)Measure any room for floor or wall tile: handle closets and alcoves, convert inches to decimals, subtract fixtures, and add the right waste percentage.
- Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your RoomHow tile size changes a room: when 12×24 beats 4×4, why small rooms can take large tile, grout line math, and the flatness rule for big formats.