What Does it Cost to Have Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Installed?

Cost of the Material

• The cost of the actual tile is only part of the overall cost. Ceramic and porcelain tiles can range dramatically in price, from anywhere between $1 per square foot all the way up to $20 per square foot, depending on the type, the quality and the manufacturer. As a rule, normal-quality ceramics and porcelains range around the $3 to $5 per square foot mark as of 2011.

Cost of the Labor

• Labor costs vary as dramatically as the cost of the material, because dozens of variables can affect this number. The level of experience that the craftsman has, your rural or urban living conditions, the cost of gas and other factors -- all will change how much a professional will charge for an installation. As of this publishing you can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot for man-made tile installations (ceramic and porcelain) and between $10 and $30 per square foot for natural-stone tile installations.

Additional Costs

• Dozens of additional costs can affect the overall price of your tile installation. Diagonal patterns, for example, will add on an extra per-foot charge. Using two types of material in a complicated pattern will add a few extra dollars per square foot as well, and if you need a rush job or the installer to work nights, you can expect to pay double the normal rate for expediency.

Your Local Area

• Your local cost of living will also affect the price of the installation, which is why there is no such thing as a national guideline for the cost of tile installations. While it might cost you a total of $10 per square foot for material and installation in Arkansas, the same options in New York may cost you upwards of $40 per square foot.