How Do I Price My Tile Installation Services?
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
Pricing your tile installation services — whether you specialize in tile flooring, shower tile, ceramic, mosaics, or commercial flooring — is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a contractor. Set your prices too low, and you risk losing money. Set them too high, and you may lose jobs to competitors. So how do you strike the right balance?
At Wexford Insurance, we help tile contractors protect and grow their businesses with tailored insurance solutions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to price your tile installation services profitably and competitively.
1. Understand Your Costs
Before setting prices, you need to know your cost of doing business. This includes:
Labor costs: wages, payroll taxes, and benefits
Material costs: tile, grout, adhesive, spacers, sealant
Overhead: office expenses, marketing, software, fuel
Insurance premiums: general liability, workers comp, equipment coverage
Use job costing software or spreadsheets to track actual costs and refine your estimates over time.
Learn more about pricing strategies from Ledger Management.
2. Choose a Pricing Model
Tile contractors typically use one of three pricing models:
Per square foot: Common for flooring and wall installations. Rates range from $12 to $50 per sq ft, depending on tile type and complexity.
Hourly rate: Used for repairs or custom work. Rates range from $40 to $85/hour.
Flat project price: Ideal for defined scope jobs like bathrooms or backsplashes.
Use a hybrid model if needed — for example, a flat rate for labor plus per-square-foot material costs.
3. Factor in Tile Type and Complexity
Different tiles require different levels of skill and time:
Tile Type | Material Cost (per sq ft) | Installed Cost (per sq ft) |
Ceramic | $2 – $20 | $12 – $40 |
Porcelain | $3 – $20 | $15 – $50 |
Natural Stone | $10 – $35 | $15 – $50 |
Glass | $10 – $50 | $20 – $100 |
Complex patterns like herringbone or mosaics increase labor time and should be priced accordingly.
4. Include Insurance in Your Pricing
Insurance is essential for protecting your business — and it should be built into your pricing. At Wexford Insurance, we help tile contractors secure:
5. Offer Tiered Service Packages
Consider offering service levels to appeal to different budgets:
Basic: Standard tile installation
Premium: Includes waterproofing, custom patterns, and high-end materials
Luxury: Full-service design, installation, and post-installation care
This helps clients choose based on value, not just price.
6. Use Estimating Tools
Use tools like the Homewyse Tile Cost Calculator to streamline your quoting process.
Final Thoughts
Pricing your tile installation services is both an art and a science. By understanding your costs, choosing the right pricing model, and factoring in insurance and complexity, you’ll be better equipped to price competitively and profitably.
Need help insuring your tile business?
Contact Wexford Insurance today.
