Does this quote include materials or is this for labor only?

The quote is for labor only, I paid separately for the tile. Well, I guess grout, etc. is included, but that shouldn't be much. I'm pretty disappointed since I really wanted to get this done but if the quote is high I think we should get additional quotes.

We got two quotes for our 10' of backsplash -- one was double the other ($1800 vs. $900). We went with the lower-priced one (after looking at reviews) and he did an awesome job.

I would ask for a breakdown that itemizes the cost of grout and sealer in case that is a factor. Your quote is high compared with mine for installation of 70 sq. ft. of 3x6 subway tile with accent strip (in an old house with uneven walls) I was most surprised at the line item for grout! BTW: I'm in the DC metro area, too.

Can I come over and do that tile job? I'd bring my saw, and I'd travel from a WV. :) I'm not a pro, and I'm just joking, but I did do my own back splash, probably 3x that size, in about 10 hours labor total. And that was just my third (small) tile job ever, and my first wall tile. And it looks pretty good. That's bonkers, IMHO. I mean, gosh, that's over $60/sf in tile labor. Unless he's chiseling each tile from a chunk of marble, that's nuts. (I'm from DC metro, so I know prices are crazy there.) I suppose if he's demo'ing out an old tile backsplash, repairing the wall, and then replacing it, well, that'd make sense. But if you're starting with a sound clear wall, then I can't fathom that taking more than a few hours one day (lay tile) and an hour or two the next (grout) and a half hour a few days later (seal). Maybe he has to travel really far to your job site, so he'd charging extra for that? Or maybe he just doesn't want the job.

Sounds about right to me.

Wall doesn't need demo, it's new drywall! We are getting more quotes, I just need to get some recommendations. Zwizzile1, would you recommend your person? Angie's List has a special for this much tile installed for $900. I had planned on using this GC for additional work, but sounds like I can't afford to use him for bathrooms at these rates.

lee miller: My work was part of total kitchen reno project. PM me for details.

You are saying that the area has leveling issues, and you are balking at the cost of someone actually fixing the problems rather than doing a hack tile install over them that accentuates those problems?

Sophie, where do you get leveling issues from? If the range is crooked and they can't just pull it out a touch then since this GC installed it, he should fix it without charging me a premium for the work. They did all the new drywall, including behind the range and the range install.

Is there anything special about the tile or the installation? Are you asking for a herringbone layout, or are the tiles unusual in some way? I know they're marble 3"x 6", but handmade tiles can be more challenging and time consuming to install. Were these hand chiseled or are they uniquely sourced, cut from the Parthenon steps for example, so that replacing tiles would be hugely expensive?

Your quote is about double what I'd expect in your area. It's a good idea to get more quotes. And by all means make sure he levels your range and that it's equidistant from the wall on both sides before he goes. The range may have to be uninstalled and re-installed for the bs install depending on your set-up.

leemiller:

Has the same contractor installed your countertops? The opening for the range may have parallel sides and not be perpendicular to the wall. If that's the case, sure, he can pull it out some to get the tile past but that doesn't make the range opening perpendicular to the wall.

I'm going to call him about the range. The range has a small back lip that is maybe 2 inches high. I'd like the tile installed behind that. I'm a little concerned if it needs to be unhooked since it is gas.

Eam44, the tile is just marble, no chiseling & I want a simple classic bathroom brick pattern.

Joseph, he didn't install the counter, just the cabinets & the rest of it.

I just talked to a guy who said between $1,200-1,500 but he is booked until May, but that is sight unseen, so who knows.

"Joseph, he didn't install the counter, just the cabinets & the rest of it."

If the cabinets are parallel but not perpendicular to the the rear wall and the counter guy just followed the cabinets, you've still got the problem.

Thanks for the views. Met with a guy who has great recommendations on Angie's List and he quoted me $1,200. I'm going with him. Only downside is I will have to wait a few more weeks for him to have the time.