Tile flooring is a popular choice for both homes and offices. Tiles have gained popularity because they are durable, moisture resistant and easy to clean. But how much does it cost to tile a floor?
How Much Does It Cost To Tile A Floor?
The cost largely depends on the choice of tiles. The tile flooring options are endless; they include marble, ceramic, porcelain, stone, and artist sculpted, just to name a few. What are the average tile floor prices per square foot? Flooring installation for a 200 square foot would cost you anything between $700 and $2,000, including labor and materials. This is just an estimate, and the cost may vary depending on the type and size of the tiles and any extra tasks required.
Hire a Tiling Contractor or Just Do it Yourself?
If you are planning to get a contractor to do the flooring for you, the project will be a bit expensive than when you choose to do it yourself. The leading flooring contractors, however, offer quality services and shield you from unnecessary hassles.
You can also reduce the average flooring installation costs by choosing a good contractor and buying inexpensive flooring tiles. The inexpensive options such as concrete, ceramic and porcelain flooring tiles will cost you between $1 and $15 per square foot. On the high end, Terrazzo, marble, painted tiles, and limestone may demand anywhere between $5 and $100 per square foot.
When undertaking the flooring project, some tasks like removing old materials and major flooring changes such as electrical and plumbing modifications may increase the final cost of the project. Sub-flooring preparations may also increase the cost significantly. Basically, the bigger the flooring space, the higher the cost of the project.
How Can You Save On Your Tiling Projects?
Now that you understand the average cost of a flooring project and factors affecting the cost, let us look at different ways on how you can lower the project cost.
1) Make Minor Sacrifices On The Type Of Tiles
There are so many different types of tile flooring to choose from. Tiles have different price tags depending on their designs, quality, and sizes. Although it is economical to use larger sizes, the kind of tile entirely depends on you. The ceramic tile floors are significantly cheaper than the marble tile floors. Here’s the trick; the ceramic tile functions the same as the marble tile. It would be logical to substitute the marble tile floors with the ceramic tile floors and save a few dollars. Ideally, the difference is not noticeable.
2) Install The Tiles Only Where Necessary
As earlier mentioned, the more the flooring space, the more you are expected to pay. For instance, the bathroom doesn’t have to be fully tiled to the ceiling. You may choose to have the wall tiled halfway and the rest painted. You will have an elegant bathroom while at the same time saving on the overall cost of the project.
3) Do It Yourself
Installation and labor costs consume the largest portion of the tile flooring project cost. If you can save on the labor, you might be able to slash more than half of the project cost. Today, numerous tutorials on the internet can help you install a certain type of flooring.
If you have the skills or have a skilled friend, you can undertake the installation task and save some money. It won’t be expert work, but at least it will save you a few dollars. If you don’t have the skills, it is always advisable to engage professionals to attain the desired outcomes.
4) Purchase In-Stock Inventory In Bulk
This tip doesn’t apply to tile flooring only. You will save money by purchasing in bulk rather than ordering an exclusive sample from the store. Buying tiles from a store that orders from the manufacturers will help you get some incredibly cheap offers. Mostly, this is for people who aren’t looking for specific shades or exotic designs. However, if all you need is standard tile flooring to freshen up the property, buying in-stock inventory in bulk would be the best way to get quality products.
5) Repair If It Is A Viable An Option
You should not consider replacing the entire old tile flooring if you can fix a few cracked tiles. If you do not have adequate cash to replace the existing flooring, you should consider replacing or fixing only the damaged pieces. To have a uniform new look, you could add up a quick coat of tile paint that is way cheaper than replacing all the tiles. You might also consider stacking tiles over the original ones under an expert’s opinion. The flooring experts know where to hammer to achieve a level ground if you go for this option.
6) Look For Discounts And Offers
This is probably the best tip that you should keep in mind. It only requires constant research for discounted tiles in online and local stores. Also, you can negotiate down the prices to 10% of the current buying price. In business, there is always room for negotiation, and you should take advantage of that allowance. You might be intrigued by how helpful the relationship you will build with the seller might be in the case of future projects.
A tiling project isn’t a task that you decide overnight. You have to take your time to plan, set a budget, select tiles and pick a method of installation. It is, therefore, logical to have all these cost-saving tips and information about the tiling project at your fingertips. Most importantly, you should have a reliable flooring expert by your side.
Author Bio: Yazi Jepson is a fresh graduate in Philosophy who enjoys writing about lifestyle, personal growth, and productivity. In her parallel life, she loves reading and finding her own way to balance her time between writing, cooking, personal training and being a mom to her two rescue cats, Milo and Fei Fei. Follow her on Twitter @yada_dadadada.
