Personally, I think this is one area I would skimp if I were on a budget. There are so many beautiful tiles in local stores, and you might be able to find something for a lot less, that is very similar. There are areas I wouldn't skimp in, appliances, cabinet quality and organizational features, but a backsplash is mainly decorative and that's a lot of money for something that will likely go out of style in a few years. Have you looked locally for tile?

I did go to a local store but I went in and mentioned Encore crackle and we just sort of ran with that without exploring other options. I really love it and I want it, but the practical part of me is fighting back.

I wanted to add that the breakdown is $2000 for the tile and $1200 for the installation. The tile guy said I could probably find someone to install it for less but I know these guys do great work and I trust them

So is this running about $50/sf for the tile? You can find beautiful, interesting tile for much less. I wouldn't spend that kind of money for a foot of tile, but that's me. That is a very personal decision, what is worth what to you.

BS labor can be costly. You have no control over that other than to DIY. A bs is not typically difficult for a layperson to do themselves. For such a small and easy type of project, I personally have difficulty justifying the quotes we hear here. Depends on the tile and application though, for DIY.

Is this 23 ft of counter (linear) or 23 sf of backsplash? If its the former (meaning about 35 sf of backsplash), it's consistent with what I paid earlier this year for my 20 sf Fireclay tile backsplash (the tile was about $1000, the install was about the same).

Yes it's about 35sf of backsplash. The killer is the accent tile that is $88/sf. DH is leaning toward just doing it. I might strike while the iron is hot before he changes his mind!

Think about what is going to be in front of that backsplash - coffee makers, toaster, paper towels, etc. How much of the tile will you really see? I recently read a designer's comments that most people who get busy tile (accent tile) tire of it in 5 years because it goes out of style. The designers in the tile stores will talk you into it because it is of course money in their pockets. I was in a beautiful tile store in my area and just drooled over all the beautiful set ups they have. But the store is only 2 years old and they are changing out the demo rooms already!!! But I guess if you really love it (and not because it is the style this year) you will probably always love it. I have seldom regretted getting something I really loved just because it was expensive, but many times wish I had spent a little more to get exactly what I wanted.

The Encore crackle field tiles should be about $30-33 sq ft. If you can find a color in the Bravos line, about $20-$22. I have Encore crackle field tile. My favorite kitchen decision. No regrets.

I had a potential customer tell me she had a guy who was going to install a tile splash for $200.00 that I was charging $1,200.00 to install.

Trebruchet, while the $1200 is a lot, I think I would rather spend it and be reasonably assured they will do a good job(because I've seen their work) than spend $200 and cross my fingers and hope for the best!

I will take a look at the Bravo line. I'm afraid that now that I've fallen in love with the crackle nothing else will do!

May I ask what color crackle you are using? Love the crackle tile. It truly does sparkle.

I'm not much help on cost as for our previous two kitchen remodels (different houses) dh diyed inexpensive white subways. But I will say that I would prioritize labor over tile cost if necessary to meet a budget. I think a good tiler can make inexpensive tile look just fine, while a bad tiler can make very pricey tile look horrible.

I don't know if it helps, but I also try to think about how much a particular element will add to the overall picture. In this case the more expensive tile won't function any better than cheaper tile. So it's a question of how it looks. Is the backsplash very prominent and the star of the show? As someone else asked, how much of it will you see once you put your coffee maker and so on on the counter?

Romy718 - hope you don't mind my posting your beautiful tile.

Jellyben - good luck! Hope you can find the tiles for less and a great installer too. These are beautiful tiles!

Romy, I am drooling over your kitchen. Simply stunning.

I am looking at the crackle tile in Silver. The accent tile behind the cooktop would be a wave pattern with 2 shades of glass tile, some crackle tile and some white tile.

My tile is Silver Crackle. There are some taupey tiles in the mix which really threw me when I initially received my order. In the end, it all turned out perfect.
If only I would have followed Oldbat2be's suggestion to do a grouted tile board. I could have saved myself 5-6 weeks of fretting.
There is a new silvery color, Cirrus, that I've seen a few pictures of. I'd love to see it in person. I just posted a 2014 Encore Sales Guide on Michelle's backsplash post- over 100 pages. Not a lot of pictures but it describes all the colors & has every piece of tile they make.
Thanks Oldbat.
Edit: Silver Crackle is one of the colors you can get in Bravo line. My KD wasn't familiar with Encore & neither of us realized the Bravo line even existed so I ordered the regular tile (more $$). The field tile sizes are a little different from the regular line. I don't know if there would be any change in the range of colors. You could email Encore & ask them. I emailed their customer service department about sealing the tile & got a very friendly response. You might also want to ask them what they recommend for the size of the grout lines and whether they recommend sanded or unsanded grout. I trusted the tile installer to know that (mistake).

This post was edited by romy718 on Tue, Sep 30, 14 at 22:37

The install price is right. The materials price is fine if you can afford it, but I'm certain you can get just as nice a look with less expensive tile; once you've found the look you want, it can take some time to find alternative materials. Wave is fine, but I've honestly never understood the price. Good luck with it. Years from now you won't even remember how much it cost, and in the meanwhile you'll get to look at something you love every day.

My parents and my dh & I have both been doing kitchen refreshes. Parents lives in a small city 3 hours from Seattle, we live in the heart of Seattle. We both have 25 sq ft of backsplash and both spent about $1,000 on tile. Parents' install cost is 1/3 of ours.

Parents spent in total about $1800 while ours is costing $3500. I got 3 quotes too and one was $4700! While I totally get Seattle is more expensive and its going to cost more, I can't help but feel a little bent out of shape. The cost of living is not 3x higher. But what am I going to do? It's not a job we want to take on, so there you go. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes them. My parents was done in just over 2 days.

So, back to the original poster's $3200 quote, your install seems reasonable, at least from where I sit! The tile is the moving cost. I looked at much more expensive tile, but couldn't justify it. There were less expensive options that we were happy with and we splurged on our Lacanche range and Gagg steam oven.

Christy, it's funny you mention regional prices and cost of living-we moved down south and we were excited to see this "lower cost of living" thing we keep hearing about. Aside from home and gas prices, nothing is cheaper!

Thanks to everyone for weighing in. I am going to go back to the tile shop today and see if we can pull something together for less. If not, I have sort of made peace with the price of the original selection. It's not every day I go gaga over something!

If you're "gaga" over this tile, get it. Like someone said, if you get it, you won't remember having spent the money, but if you don't get it, you will remember that you didn't get what you really wanted.

I agree to get what you want and pay someone you know will do a great job for you. Hard to find something you truly love.

Could you get quotes from other sources on this tile? When I found tile, though it was $20 sf I called around and found it for $13.70 sf in another state. I simply showed the email with the lower price to my local store and they met the price and said, no problem when I asked.

Romy, have you posted a reveal yet? I've been dying to see your kitchen for over a year now and want to make sure I didn't miss it as I'm not as active on GW as I was when going through my remodel. :)

I promise, October is the month.

jellyben -- Eleven years ago, I found tile I loved. DH loved it as well. It was handmade, fairly expensive and not the easiest to install.

But it was "the" tile for our kitchen and it eventually inspired the color scheme for our house.

I went big and tiled two walls cabinets to ceiling. I got rid of the upper cabinets and went with open shelving installed over the tile.

Nearly everyone who comes into my kitchen remarks on the tile. Eleven years later I love it just as much. We still get compliments.

Half the appliances have been replaced. But the tile endures and still looks as good as it did when it was put in.

There's a tendency on this forum to leave the backsplash for last. I've often disagreed with that and still do.

If you find tile you know is for you, go for the one you want!! In a year or two or five you won't miss the extra money and you will get years of enjoyment.