Flooring Tile - How much to install tile in basement?

What would be a good price to install tile in a basement. I was quoted of $5/sq ft.... That sounded high...

With you suppling the tile and all other material, $5 a sq ft is on the low side.

fred

With you suppling the tile and all other material, $5 a sq ft is on the low side.

fred

Fred,

Yes, I will be supplying the tile and grout...

I thought that was kinda high since the installer was telling me it was 'easy' to install tile over concrete...

I have a price of 1.99 sq/ft for laminate... Others say go with tile.. Suggestions on that end? Thanks

If the going price was 75 cents, some would still think it was high. :wall:

What on earth does laminate have to do with ceramic?

Ceramic may take 3x longer to do, and it actually add value to your house. What kind of tile, size etc.

Fred is right, that depending on where you are located that price may be on the low side. HD gets 5.75 and Lowes charges 6.69 around here. The question is does this guy know how to do the job right? I know most of the people that do tile work at the big boxes around here, are not so good.

Having said that, right now I am charging less than what you were quoted, as long as it's several hundred sq, ft. of course.

Jaz

If the going price was 75 cents, some would still think it was high. :wall:

What on earth does laminate have to do with ceramic?

Ceramic may take 3x longer to do, and it actually add value to your house. What kind of tile, size etc.

Fred is right, that depending on where you are located that price may be on the low side. HD gets 5.75 and Lowes charges 6.69 around here. The question is does this guy know how to do the job right? I know most of the people that do tile work at the big boxes around here, are not so good.

Having said that, right now I am charging less than what you were quoted, as long as it's several hundred sq, ft. of course.

Jaz

Hey Jaz,

I have a 12x12 area around the bar, and 5x5 area in the foyer coming in from the bilco door and 8x8 area in the bath.... So in total 233 sq/ft....

The tiles are 12"x12" standard.. Was looking at ceramic but he recommended Porcelain....

This person is actually my sister in laws brother (on the wife's side)... My brother in law one day was raving how great he does with tile. I personally never saw.. The way he was describing on how he would do it would be simple... Just glue, lay, grout, etc... I asked if some areas weren;t level and he said he would do something to level but forgot what he said.

Lowes was about $800 more total but the way the installer was describing sounded like a more intensive way of doing it.. Sounded like a 2 or 3 day process?!

P.S. I am putting berber down on the rest of the basement floor.

It is simple, it's just going to take 3 days on the calender if he works like me. That doesn't count the time he may use to get supplies or odd and ends. Heck, it's 3 different areas and 2 of the 3 take more time than the basic area.

I think the price is too low, so you should offer to give the guy more, just to be fair. (If he is good.)

Jaz

Labor costs can vary a great deal depending on what part of the country you are in. I can tell you that this sounds really cheap compared to prices here (NJ). I tend to agree with Jaz as to the quality of work done by big box stores, avoid if possible. There are lots of good tile setters looking for work these days so labor prices have certainly come down.

You say you are supplying the tile and grout. Are you supplying the thinset as well?

You say that some of the areas arent "level". Is there some prep work that needs to be done to the floor before the tile can be installed?

Labor costs can vary a great deal depending on what part of the country you are in. I can tell you that this sounds really cheap compared to prices here (NJ). I tend to agree with Jaz as to the quality of work done by big box stores, avoid if possible. There are lots of good tile setters looking for work these days so labor prices have certainly come down.

You say you are supplying the tile and grout. Are you supplying the thinset as well?

You say that some of the areas arent "level". Is there some prep work that needs to be done to the floor before the tile can be installed?

I'm actually in NE PA so im not in a big city...

I would have to supply all materials... I am pretty sure I would have to pick it up... Have to see....

He has been in my basement before and said everything looked good but who knows until he has to do it.. He said he would correct any level issues when ready....

See, I was thinking about going with Laminate instead because the price to install was only $1.99 sq ft from Lowes. But other people are saying tile is better and to spend a couple extra dollars to install would be worth it..

I was thinking maybe $3 sq ft not $5?:)

I'm actually in NE PA so im not in a big city...

I would have to supply all materials... I am pretty sure I would have to pick it up... Have to see....

He has been in my basement before and said everything looked good but who knows until he has to do it.. He said he would correct any level issues when ready....

See, I was thinking about going with Laminate instead because the price to install was only $1.99 sq ft from Lowes. But other people are saying tile is better and to spend a couple extra dollars to install would be worth it..

I was thinking maybe $3 sq ft not $5?:)


Update: just got a call from the electrician I have and said he knows someone he works with that would charge $25/hr to do... For an 8x8 bath for example, It would take about 3 hours?

Hey right..:thumbdn: Three hours, so maybe he'll come install the bathroom one day, then come back to grout, all for $75 bucks.

People like you make me sick! You are looking for a garbage job I think. Is this person an illegal? Does he pay taxes? Is he licensed? Do you care?

Why not do it yourself, or give the money you're going to waste to charity?

Jaz

Update: just got a call from the electrician I have and said he knows someone he works with that would charge $25/hr to do... For an 8x8 bath for example, It would take about 3 hours?

Please post pictures of that work when its done. i need a good laugh.

If price is your only concern, then go for it. Just remember, you get what you pay for, and sometimes even less.:wall:

If price is your only concern, then go for it. Just remember, you get what you pay for, and sometimes even less.:wall:

Very true... I know, I thought i would get a good laugh from you guys....

I honestly didn't think it would be that much, ($5/sq ft. That is $5 to install 1 tile:)) but I guess I am wrong...

Hire yourself a real time setter, not a handyman. If it has to be done over, you won't think it was such a good deal when you have to pay to have it done twice.:)

Hire yourself a real time setter, not a handyman. If it has to be done over, you won't think it was such a good deal when you have to pay to have it done twice.:)

Johnny,

How hard is it to actually lay tile down in a basement? I get conflicting suggestions? 1 says to just lay thinset and tile over and then grout... Someone else mentioned about putting a cement board first,etc...

The one guy I worked with did a few tile jobs and did his own house... Said he would help me do it and to stop by first and look at his tile that he did at his house. Since I work with him and he is a friend he said he would do it for nothing. All he asks is for me to help him... The advantage with that is that I would learn and save money as well. He has all the tools for it...