There are so many factors that go into installing tile that it is difficult to estimate the total price of installation. The type of tile you choose and whether or not you self-install are a few of those factors. But for a blanket estimate, around how much does it cost to tile a 12x12 foot room? We've researched and combined all of the factors to give you a price range for your next tiling project.
Depending on what type of tile you choose, tiling usually costs between $2 and $14 per square foot. So, self-installing tile in a 12x12 room will cost between $288 and $2016 for the tile. Additionally, other materials like mortar, grout, and tile backing will cost upwards of an additional $300.
So, the total cost will be between $600 and $2600 in total, with the higher price being the most premium tile. If you choose to go the more expensive professional installation route, the price will go up significantly.
That figure should give you an idea of the cost to install tile in a 12x12 room. But the other factors that affect the cost still need to be discussed. Please continue reading to find out more about labor for installation, the tools you might need for self-installation, and the types of tile you can potentially install.
The Cost of Installing Tile in a 12x12 Room
The cost of installing tile can vary greatly depending on whether or not you install it yourself or hire someone to install it for you. Self-installation may seem like the correct choice if you have a small budget, but pay in mind you may have to invest in some tools if you don't already have them. Let's take a look at the two installation methods and how much each of them typically costs.
Do-It-Yourself Tile Installation
DIY installation can be a great path for people who are experienced with home improvement projects. Unless you need to purchase tools, the only cost you'll have to worry about is the tiles and other materials like grout and tile backing. Cement board and uncoupling membranes are the most common tile backings and can be a couple of hundred dollars to cover the 12x12 room.
The Tools You'll Need for DIY Tiling
So, you want to install your tile but have never done so before. What tools do you need, and how much will they cost? Altogether these tools and materials could set you back around $200, but some of them could be useful on other projects. Here are some of the basic tools you'll need for DIY tiling:
- Tape measure
- Rile spacers
- Rubber mallet
- Tile cutter
- Morter or mortar mixture
- Grout
- Vacuum or broom
- Cement board or uncoupling membrane
Many rooms aren't perfectly shaped to fit into exact square feet. This means you'll probably have to cut tile to fit some areas of the room. For this, you'll need a tile cutter, one of the more important tools with tile work. Tile cutters come in fancy electric versions, which can be very expensive.
Fortunately, the manual version like the one listed below cost between $20 and $3o. If you have to make a lot of precision cuts, renting a tile saw is also a good option.
Click here to view the QEP tile cutter at Amazon.
Another important and not so obvious material is the cement board or uncoupling membrane. This material provides a barrier between the tile and the wooden subfloor below. It is necessary because you should never lay down tile directly over a wooden subfloor.
Click here to see the Gauti uncoupling membrane at Amazon.
How much Tile do I Need for a 12x12 Room?
A 12x12 room has 144 square feet of area that needs to be covered with tile. Tile is typically sold by the square foot, so if they are perfect 1x1 foot tiles, you'll need exactly 144 of them. It never hurts to get a few extra in the event you break one along the way. 1x1 tiles are nice, but what if you want an 8-inch by 8-inch tile?
That's where you'll have to do some math to calculate the exact amount you need to cover the complete square footage of the room.
What Type of Tile is the Cheapest?
If you want to cut down on the cost of your tiling project further, choose a tile that isn't too expensive. Just browsing the tile results page on the Lowes website will show you that the cheapest tiles are made from ceramic. Ceramic tile is made by heating a simple clay mixture, causing it to harden.
This process and mixture are less expensive than the processes involved in making other types of tile, making ceramic tile affordable for the consumer.
Professional Tile Installation
If you decide that you don't have the know-how or tools necessary to complete a tile job or choose a more expensive tile, DIY may not be the route for you. You can always opt to hire a professional to install the tile in your 12x12 room for you.
The benefits of hiring a professional include not having to buy tools for a one-time job, having more experienced hands carry out your work, and potentially having a guarantee if something ends up wrong with your tile in the future.
Since tile professionals are so seasoned at their craft, the job is usually complete within a day or two, and you can rest assured knowing the job was done well.
How Much is Labor for Tile?
The labor for tile installation varies based on the type of tile, the size of the job, and the current market. Typically, tile installation costs between $4 and $7 per square foot of floor space. This, of course, doesn't include the cost of the tile itself or any of the extra materials needed for laying tile like grout or cement board.
Depending on the room's type of tile and complexity, the price could go up to even a little over $30 per square foot. That's really in the case where you have an expensive tile and a non-square room, causing the tile to have to be irregularly cut.
How Much Does Lowes Charge For Tile Installation?
An easy way to find good quality labor on tile installation is through your local Lowe's hardware store. According to the Lowe's tile floor installation page, you have to schedule an appointment for a Lowe's employee to come to measure your floor space to get a quote on the cost of tile installation.
Estimates from online message boards from previous clients estimate Lowe's tile installation rate to be between $5 and $7 per square foot.
In Closing
There are multiple avenues to take for completing your tiling project, depending on your budget. If you already have a nice set of tools or some older materials sitting in your garage, then you should go with the DIY method.
However, if it's your first time installing tile and you don't have any of the necessary tools, it may be worth hiring a professional to take care of the installation for you. Either way, if you use good judgment, you'll end up with a perfectly tiled 12x12 room.
If you found the information in this post helpful, please check out a few of our others: