Fair Price or am I getting jipped??

sonia c

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Need help to determine if this is a fair price given by my contractor...

We are removing tile and inserting new tile in the Kitchen and Family Room- Total Sq ft is about 2000.

For just the labor, he is charging me $5400 to remove the existing tile and $11,000 to lay the new tile.

I want to hear from the experts-- is that fair? Just to lay down the tile, it comes to about $5.68/sq ft.

Featured Answer

Saypoint zone 6 CT

6 years ago

You need to get a couple more quotes to know if that’s a good price.

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Comments (18)

qam999
6 years ago
Depends on your location.
sonia c
Original Author
6 years ago
So, that means it could be fair?
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Your best bet is to ask questions and more questions and yet more. Different people use different language different ways. In general, price by square foot, for instance for countertops, is the same as we learned in school: 12"x12". "Linear foot" usually means 12" x however wide it comes. So for cabinets, it would be how many feet a row of cabinets is, as you said. Unless the cabinets are shown as a single module (with a single price) including upper and lower (something I've never seen), then, again, you're right that the upper cabinets are another whole length of measure. It's harder for countertops. You'll hear $X/linear foot before fabrication, finishing and installation quoted, but what is the width? Are they assuming two feet ("standard" cabinet depth, but some fridge and oven cabinets are deeper)? Usually. Ask, to be sure. It might be linear feet of size of manufacture or some other odd thing. People are funny that way :D
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kynsmama
6 years ago
what kind of tile?
sonia c
Original Author
6 years ago
porcelain 18x24 tile
tallgrassdesign
6 years ago
I always get at least three estimates for any major project, and for really big projects, I like at least one of the companies to be a referral from someone I know personally.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
It's a fine fair price.

If I were having tile laid, I'd call the guy who did my neighbor's, pay the bill he sent, and be glad I was able to make it onto his schedule. Three bids is for people who haven't done their homework.
PRO
Carolina Kitchen & Bath
6 years ago
Get a few quotes and compare but in my market, we can get LVT/LVP installed for $2.50-$3.50 a sf and that's without tearout, ceramic tile is more. I'd say it was fair.
acm
6 years ago
Tearing out tile is laborious. And that's a lot of sf. Sorry, but it feels about right. Maybe more in a big city, a bit less in a quiet burb (but not too remote)...
Najeebah
6 years ago
Ask for references to see some of his previous work. If that satisfies you, and seeing that other experienced posters find it a reasonable price, go with him.
(I seldom comment on price, being on the other end of the world, where prices and practices are quite different)
PRO
Omega flooring LLC
6 years ago
I would charge you 2.00 for the take up and 5.25 for the installation if it’s not on a concrete slab. Tile is expensive. Always ask for references.
PRO
KR Kitchen Remodeling, LLC
6 years ago
That's a fair price - in my market it would cost more especially with the size tile you are working with. Make sure you get and call references AND ask what kind of system he uses to lay the tiles. There's a new one out that is highly recommended that reduces the chances of lip page - don't have the brochure in front of me but it's out in the tile stores.... Another system we use as a way to avoid future issues with grout in stead of cement board we use Schluter Decoupling membrane which can go over plywood. Not inexpensive to use but with that much square footage I'd think you'd want it done right the first time.
chiflipper
6 years ago
Very fair price. Just make sure he is using the "clip and wedge" method of installation so you don't have lippage.
User
6 years ago
Cheap for an actual licensed and insured tile contractor. LFT setting materials cost more than double, and take twice the time to get it right.
thinklongthinkwrong
6 years ago
I don't know anything about the pricing, but you have a huge family room and kitchen if they total 2,000 square feet.
PRO
Linda
6 years ago
I would ask to make sure what services are included in his price. LFT can require lots of floor prep which would probably be included in his install quote but I would want to clarify so you won't get hit with any surprise expenses. Also be sure to discuss how he will protect the remainder of your space, HVAC, and cabinets from dust and damage. Find out how many guys will be doing the work and who will be running the crew - I'm always leery of any situation where the person doing the pricing is not the person who will be doing the actual work or the owner. I don't like to get involved with large companies that use salesmen/estimators or project managers that don't do any of the actual work on the site.

If you are satisfied the price is the cost of having craftsmen doing the work, it is fair. If the price tag comes from fancy advertising, and pickup trucks that cost more than the installer's yearly wages, it isn't a fair price. The price "just" to lay down tile is probably more like $2.50/ sq foot...the other $3 per sq foot is to get it done right, on schedule, on a properly prepared surface, with a guarantee and with properly paid and insured individuals.
Snaggy
6 years ago
You could remove the existing tile yourself and save some money !
Susan Davis
6 years ago
With large tiles like you have the floor will have to be perfectly level or you can get cracking down the line......big tiles need perfect flat subfloor.......what is all involved!