Time To Retile Your Bathroom Floor? Here’s How Much It Will Cost

Kenneth Wilson

There’s nothing quite as striking as a newly retiled bathroom. It can add a dash of color and an undeniable “wow” factor– which may only boost your home’s value.

Retiling a bathroom costs anywhere between $3,500 to $12,000, with an average price of $12 to $15 per square foot. Like other home improvement projects, actual costs will depend on the size of your bathroom and the quality of the tile material you want to use.

Tiles can be placed on your bathroom floors, backsplash, mosaics, shower stall, and walls. So if it’s finally time to say goodbye to your old tiles– let’s cover everything you need to expect in how much an entire retiling project will cost.

Retiling a Bathroom: Average Costs


Retiling your bathroom costs $3,500 to $12,000, ranging between $12 and $15 per square foot. Note that this ballpark estimate may fluctuate depending on several factors: the size of the bathroom, material quality and design, and professional labor costs. (Related:  Tile Installation: A Cost & Consumer Guide)

If the bathroom needs extensive regrouting (AKA replacing the old grout between each tile with a new one), your contractor may need to charge you extra. Homeowners on a budget may want to browse all the materials they can use for their retiling project. Total costs are most often determined depending on the tiles' quality, with ceramic tiles being a popular, cost-effective choice.

Using tiles with elaborate designs will also hike the total project cost if you want to use tiles. That said, simpler tile designs will cost less. In hiring a contractor for the project, always look for a renowned bathroom renovation company in your area with competitive rates and excellent reviews.

Choosing Your Bathroom Tiles


Homeowners can choose among ceramic, glass, porcelain, and natural stone tiles for their bathroom flooring needs. But, ceramic proves to be the #1 choice for bathroom tiles because of its cost-effectiveness and durability. The next crowd-favorite choice is porcelain tiles, giving your bathroom an upscale look.

Here’s the average cost of each bathroom tile type:

  • Ceramic: $0.50 to $16 per square foot
  • Travertine tile: $3 to $16 per square foot
  • Slate: $4 to $16 per square foot
  • Granite tile: $5 to $16 per square foot
  • Limestone tile: $7 per square foot
  • Marble tile: $10 per square foot

Factors Affecting the Cost to Retile a Bathroom


Since bathroom retiling can be a significant investment, let’s discuss all the key factors that may affect the total expenses you pay.

  • Size of the Bathroom: Retiling a 200 sq. ft. master bathroom will easily cost you more than a small guest bathroom retiling project. Keep in mind that you will need to pay for material per square foot. Multiply the costs depending on the bathroom size to get a rough estimate.
  • Type of Tile: The bathroom tile you select will determine the material costs of the project. Some inexpensive ceramic tile starts from less than $1 per square foot, but if you opt for natural stone options such as granite– you’re looking at $15 per sq. ft.
  • Shape and Size of Tile: Another influential cost fact is the shape and size of your bathroom tiles. Large square tiles in standard square bathrooms will be easier to work with. In contrast, a bathroom with several edges will be trickier to work on as your installer will need to lay small irregularly shaped tiles in place.
  • Professional Labor Costs: Labor costs for bathroom retiling projects will add another $750 to $1,000 (or more) to the total tab. If you're confident enough to do the job yourself, you can trim the costs.
  • Location of Property: Depending on where you live, the price to retile a bathroom floor may fluctuate. Homes situated near a beach or humid/moist areas will need more protection. Areas with a higher cost of living will have more expensive professional labor costs. Meanwhile, rural areas may need higher transportation costs regarding the materials.

Other considerations:

  • Removing old tiles can be a dirty, noisy process. In some cases, it may reveal additional work on your bathroom that needs to be done.
  • A wood subfloor will need to be installed with a backer board to prevent moisture absorption. This costs $6 to $10 per square foot.
  • If the subfloor is rotted, you will need to have it repaired (up to $70 per square foot). Resurfacing the subfloor will add another $4 to $10 per square foot. This will ensure a perfectly level bathroom floor.

DIY Bathroom Retiling Project Cost


Suppose you're confident in your retiling skills and expertise. In that case, you may trim the costs of paying for professional labor. You may only need to pay for the materials, which may cost you under $1,000 if you truly aim to cut corners.

However, we strongly discourage going the DIY route for bathroom retiling projects. While the task sounds easy, it's an intricate process that needs years of expertise. For one, you will need to cut the tiles and fit them properly into complex spaces. Any mistake on your end will only cost you more.

If the bathroom needs grouting, the project's difficulty will be greater. (Related: Is Groutable Vinyl Tile Right For Your Home? (+ Pros & Cons)) Trust us, the last thing you want is to spend a considerable sum of money on retiling your bathroom to pull it all up and hire a pro to do it properly. Lastly, going the DIY route means you need to go for days without using the bathroom. It may even take weeks, depending on the scope of the project. Hiring a pro to handle the job means it can be completed faster.

What is the ROI of Retiling a Bathroom?


Fortunately, retiling a bathroom or a shower will give you an excellent return on investment (ROI). Not to mention, it also offers a drastic aesthetic transformation to your existing bathroom space. Bathroom remodeling projects offer 68 to 70% return on investment on average. These lucrative numbers serve as a compelling reason to invest in a bathroom improvement project.

Important Note: In some cases, spending more on your bathroom retiling project doesn't necessarily equate to higher returns.

For instance, under the $25,000 mark, a bathroom remodeling project may give you a higher ROI than luxury bathroom remodels of up to $60,000 or more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Should I retile a bathroom myself or hire a professional?

You may go for it if you have enough experience with retiling. However, it is ideal for general jobs like these to be left to a professional. They have proper tools such as a hammer, sander, utility knife, plastic sheeting, etc. In addition, they also know the exact amount of material to purchase, so you do not run out throughout the job. You should consider hiring a tile contractor and avoid risky DIY temptation.

How long do retiled bathrooms last?

Retiled bathrooms do not have a long lifespan. Bathroom tiles are constantly being used and walked on, making them faster to wear out. Do not worry because they can still last for ten years with proper care and regular sealing.

What other projects can I do at the same time?

If you plan to retile your bathroom, it will also be a great time to remodel it. You can replace a dated or cracked vanity, redesign and update your shower to a more modern one, and reglazing a worn-out bathtub.

Kenneth Wilson
March 29, 2022
Bathroom Remodeling, Cost Guides, Flooring

Kenneth Wilson

Retired contractor. Currently residing in Southwest Florida. Now in semi-retirement, I write and manage this blog focused on helping home owners make savvy decisions when it comes to finding contractors and getting their projects done. I also operate remodeling design service for homeowners.

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