We are going to install 16″ square floor tile (porcelin) over 1000 square feet of plywood raised foundation subfloor. The subfloor is somewhat uneven, necessitating installing a leveling compound followed by a concrete backer or “wonder” board. Tile would then be installed with thinset onto the backer board. We have had five estimates for installing the tile. The estimates for labor ONLY have ranged from $7,000 to $11,000. We are not requiring ANY patterned installation, and the area where the tile is installed is mostly open with very few obstructions which would require extensive cutting. The contactors have estimated the job would take 5 to 8 days for 2 people. Assuming a 40-hr workweek this equates to $58 to $91 per hour per person. Are these reasonable rates for this job? We live near Roseville, California (Sacramento area).
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yes. Jeff
* Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Yes what Jeff? Yes to high a bid. Yes a fair price?
Consistently yours
Nigel
Any chance you'd be able to do this yourself? The kind of tiling you describe is pretty straightforward, and even if it takes you twice as long, it's like paying yourself $29-45.50 per hour--not bad, eh?
Asteroidia
As splints said. If you can diy it, you'll save a bundle. Otherwise my opinion is that $7-$11 sq/ft is to much for a labour only bid.
Nigel
The key here is that you've gotten FIVE estimates. Sounds like that's what it costs in Sacramento, CA. I think it would be a bit cheaper here in Marion, Indiana, but....sometimes the price is the price.
Rich Beckman
And it would really be cheap in say, Nicaraqua.Excellence is its own reward!
See Nigel....I was right. Since I didn't read yer message....I'm sure my logic was questioned. Later, Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
Asteroida,
Rich summed it up...5 bids to choose from....all seem high to you, but evidently this is going rate in your neck of the woods. For argument's sake, throw out the highest bid, throw out the lowest bid, and average the rest....what did you come up with?
Are the other 2 bids within 15% of the averaged result? If so, this should tell you what the MEDIUM range is going for . Is the lowest bid within the 15% range of the averaged result...if so, include it. Same for the highest. If not, keep them out for now.
Now, ask each of the tile setting companies to furnish you with references of jobs they completed in your area. Ask if they have a portfolio of past jobs...more recent the better. Compare. Pick the company whose work you like the best, and ...more importantly....whom you trust (regardless of price) will warrant their work if the tile should fail/ crack/ or whatever.
In my area, labor is $5 to $7 per square feet for labor. BUT I'M NOT IN CALIFORNIA.
AS FOR TRYING TO DIY, unless you've laid a lot of tile before, stay away from it! One Thousand square feet translates into installing 50 sheets of 4X5 cement board, glueing down 562 tile, cutting God knows how many, plus grouting all of them, plus wiping the grout haze off all of them, plus sealing the grout, not to mention first having to trowel down a floor leveler of sorts. ( floors out of level by more than 1/8 inch in a 10 foot area will not meet code for tilesetters. Imagine...1/8 inch!)
THIS ALL TRANSLATES INTO A HECK OF A LONG TIME WORKING ON YOUR KNEES! Do yourself a favor and....
Let the pros do it.
If you can't afford it, wait until you can, or opt for a different type of floor covering. If you can afford it, go for it!
Davo
There are many variables to the job. Is there radiant heat in the slab? Are there two cuts or two hundred? Can the tile saw be set up close to the work area, or does the contractor have to make a 50 dash? Your best bet is to take the estimates from reliable contractors, usually the guy in the middle will give you the best bang for the buck. It is not fool proof but it works pretty good. Make sure you compare apples because I have seen many times when the low bidder gets done the job ends up being higher then the high bid. If you have no prior experience and you are spending $$$ on porcelain, you should at minimum hire a pro to level out and prep the floor. If you put diamonds in a garbage can, it will always look like diamonds in a garbage can. Good luck!
Edited 4/9/2002 10:08:36 AM ET by DANNYIF
I just got a couple quotes for my house. They all say around $2-3 a square foot for any kind of tile work. Living in the South has more than a few advantages.
I'm in MA and $5-7/Square foot is the rate for labor on tile installs. Subfloor work is usually an additional $1-2 per square foot. Therefore, you would be looking at roughly the same prices out here. I wouldn't be suprised if CA was 15-20% higher.
Don't get me wrong here I don't install tile, I have just had it done and that was the range that they charged. Take the advice given above on letting someone else handle it. I do everything but floors and plumbing in my house. 1000 quare feet is a lot of money up the crapper if you screw it up. I'm not saying you would, but is it worth the chance?
SJ
I think this is a problem every where as far as where Im sitting that tile labor is high. Contractors buy tile saws here to combat the labor. I thought a sub was supposed to do it cheaper than the builder could in order to get the work, unless we were talking licesed trades. Tile labor seems to be one of the best paying jobs going. Im going to buy a tile saw also. But , Im not scared. I never knew how to do anything before I was once tried. Buy a good book and a tile saw and go for it. Next time you will smile at your knowledge. Where would we all be if we had never tried anything ?????We sure wouldnt be in this forum for one thing.
Tim Mooney