How much does it cost to install a porcelain tile shower?
Installing a porcelain tile shower can dramatically improve the look of your shower, especially if it is outdated or otherwise in need of being repaired or upgraded. A porcelain shower can be installed using some of the latest styles and patterns and it can add a substantial amount of value to your home.
This is a job of considerable difficulty and, as a result, it is not a good option for a do-it-yourself project. It is fairly easy to make mistakes with a tile shower installation and correcting those mistakes can end up taking significantly more time than you expected, or you may have to hire a tile contractor to fix the mistakes.
This guide gives an example of installing tile for a standard 36” x 36” shower with three walls and 8-feet-high ceilings, which can fit in a standard sized bathroom of 5’ x 8’.
Cost breakdown
- A 36”x36” shower with three walls and eight-foot high ceilings has approximately 80-90 square feet of wall and floor space that would need to have tile installed on it.
- Tile contractors usually charge a flat rate per square foot of tile that needs to be installed. The rate is normally $10-$15/sq.ft. depending on the contractor’s experience. This rate includes laying the tile pattern, cleaning and grouting 1, and planning the project out, but it does not include removing any existing tile.
- For a 36”x36” shower, the labor costs for a tile installation would be $800-$1350.
- Basic porcelain tile costs an average of $10 per sq.ft.
- Material costs for porcelain tile for a 36”x36” shower will be $800-$900.
- Sealer and grout 1 need to be purchased, and for 80-90 sq.ft. the cost will be $100-$175 for grout 1 and $75-$150 for sealer.
- It is not common for a tile contractor to charge hourly, but if they do, hourly charges will range from $40-$60/hr. Installation a 36”x36” tile shower will take approximately two and a half days (20 hours), or $800-$1200, not including the removal of old tile.
Enhancement and improvement costs
- Removing old shower tile can take one full day and is usually charged at a flat rate of $320-$480 including disposal.
- The more decorative the pieces are and the more complex the pattern is, the higher the installation and material cost will be. Complicated patterns can add 15%-20% more to the total cost.
- Adding a new shower base 2 can cost anywhere from $150-$1000 depending on the quality desired.
Additional considerations and costs
- Updating outdated plumbing can add $500 to the total installation cost.
- Adding a cement backer board is a good idea for water damage protection and the cost is $50-$100 for materials and an extra $160-$320 in labor costs.
- A waterproofing membrane can waterproof the backer board or other parts of the shower and will cost $25-$50 in materials and an extra $80-$160 in labor costs.
- Porcelain tile is generally more durable than ceramic which is why it is priced slightly higher, usually 10%-25% more.
- If there is a shower/tub combination, it can be more difficult to install in spite of the lower amount of square footage needed for the shower tile, which can add 10%-20% to labor costs.
- Buying the tile before hiring a contractor is recommended in order to save money and separate material costs from labor costs.