What’s a reasonable estimate for the labor costs to tile a tub surround? This would be a standard 5′, alcove style tub surround. The hardibacker is already there (new construction). The tile and grout would be supplied by the homeowner.
The tile is pretty normal stuff, 6X6 porcelain tile from Lowes. There would be a few accent tiles here and there in a pattern, but nothing too fancy.
This would be in the Boston area.
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Better part of a day to set, half a day to grout and clean.
If the conditions are exactly as stated and the job is as simple as stated and all is framed plumb, level and square and the backer board was hung to near perfection. And the correct amount of tile is on hand and stocked next to said tub along with 10 to 15% extra, and enough of the currect setting materials is there as well, I'd say 2 days. So I would figure on about $700.
In the real world I would guess closer to the $900 to $1,200 range. Keep in mind I have no idea what the local rates are in Boston. The $900 to $1,200 might be a safe guess on the low end. Vic
Perfect. What a perfect answer.No Coffee No Workee!
Depends who is doing the work, a skilled tile-guy or an off-duty fireman
What if the off duty fireman is an experienced tile guy? Oh licensed and insured too?
Sounds more like an off duty tile guy moonlighting as a fireman. What kind of license does a tile guy need?
I didn't mean to offend any firemen. I know a few who "do side jobs" when they're off duty and their rates are usually a lot lower than full-time tradesmen, that's all I was trying to say.
Edited 11/19/2008 9:45 pm ET by RedfordHenry
Yes some off duty firemen are "moonlighting" unlicensed and unskilled in the trades. So are cops ,teachers, college students, ex cons, and wait till all the white collar "moonlighters" hit the streets. I get annoyed when someone brings up firemen like we are the only ones doing this. I have 18 years in the NYC Fire Dept. I have been working two jobs for more than 18 years. We dont make a lot of money. That is why we do this. I am licensed and insured according to my county rules.If you are getting outbid by someone, bring it up with them. Sorry for bitching. Joe Sesack, Compass Renovations.
Aren't fireman in a union? Doesn't the union frown upon others coming in and "taking your job", so to speak. Personally, I could care less about the hack fireman and cops that do side work around here, but I do love the hypocracy when they stand tall for their own union, yet have no problems taking work outside their chosen field.
Most here work under the table with no permits. Gotta love that. Vic
Thanks for your service. FDNY!!Virtually every volunteer fireman in the Hamptons is a tradesman or fisherman.
About 12 hours work, maybe 16 if there are any problems with the substrate or anything else.
There would be a few accent tiles here and there in a pattern,
Add 15-20% for that.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Can you cut porcelain tiles with a score & snap cutter, or will you need to wet saw every single cut? Big difference in labor there.
See my work at TedsCarpentry.com
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For what it's worth, those little wet saws, similiar to a small table saw are great for small jobs with not so large tile. Takes the hassle out of walking outside to cut tiles.
I bought the Husky version last year or so and it has worked well. Not the highest qaulity tool out there but it gets the job done
That, plus I can cut porcelain with my snap cutter. Vic
Just checking to see if you are still "alive"?TFB (Bill)
I am now.
>>For what it's worth, those little wet saws, similiar to a small table saw are great for small jobs with not so large tile. Takes the hassle out of walking outside to cut tiles.There is a risk with cutting tiles indoors even with a wet saw - lots of nasty metals and minerals in tiles.I did an inspection for a client whose house was contaminated with various tile dust problems from indoor cutting. Cleanup costs were very high, and I hate to see what happened to the tile guy's insurance premiums.Besides - I think a good old snap cutter is a lot faster for the majority of cuts.
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
Edited 11/21/2008 5:49 pm ET by rjw
There is a risk with cutting tiles indoors even with a wet saw - lots of nasty metals and minerals in tiles.
I did an inspection for a client whose house was contaminated with various tile dust problems from indoor cutting. Cleanup costs were very high, and I hate to see what happened to the tile guy's insurance premiums.
Bob,
You have my interest piqued. Would you care to elaborate on this topic?
I do a fair amount of indoor cutting with a wet saw. The Dewalt I am using is probably the "cleanest" saw I have used as it is much easier to control the spray and fine mist from cutting.
I'm really curious what's in these tiles. I know that I have often come home with intersting boogers after a day of use with the old Felker, but using that saw creates a rain forest effect.
Eric
Don't know everything that's in the tiles but the guy I took my leadsafe course with said some imported tiles will have lead. If the Chinese will put melamine in dogfood, milk and toothpaste, what do you think they will put in tile?
"There is a risk with cutting tiles indoors even with a wet saw - lots of nasty metals and minerals in tiles."
If that is the case, I suggest no one ever buy a new construction home, or walk through the mall. Because most of the wet saw use I see "inside" is in new construction and commercial. There is almost always somewhere inside to set up and splash away.
I do agree that a snap scorer on the floor by your side is quickest. That's my preferred route when the materials and design allow. Vic
I'll be using a wetsaw next week indoors. I'll let everyone know if I survive.See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.
haven't seen you come back from tiling...........
may you rest in peace.
i'm not cutting anymore tile inside now that it's did ted in,must be some nasty stuff.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
hee hee... just finishing up that job today in fact, and still breatining just fine. =)See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.
glad to hear that,monday i got to cut some tile,and i was having to decide on having icles hanging off me or dieing inside the house where its warm.
think i'll stay warm.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
In Michigan (using my tile guy), if the Hardi's up he gets 10/sqft for stright ceramic. If you're using slate of have some crazy pattern the price goes up.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
Just noticed today that Home Depot charges $10,00 sf did not read as to if that covers install materials ie hardie board, mortar grout etc or straight labor. I usually can do one in 24 hours, but that includes hanging board no tear out. So if the board is hung 8-10 hours to tile 8 or so for grout, clean up, caulking, faucet trim.
Wallyo
I would bid it for 2 days
metro areas are notoriously more expensive. here in rural Ct I get 5 bills a day
maybe 50% more in bean town
Five large a Day?
Do you stay busy 5 out of the seven?
Thats a good rate if you can stay busy, the Turd herders around here get about the same beatting the brown trouts down stream . They got a bit of over head with the license & van.
$750 a day, now were talking the oldest profession in this Town.
5 bucks a day will barely keep you afloat in my market. evrything is more expensive here
if it wasnt for material and sub mark ups I'd hang it up
$8-$11 a sqft is reasonable. You could find probably someone for a little less since everything is set up and it's an easy in and out job.
Good thing you're not a Lakers fan, then it'd be closer to $30.
Mongo
(who for his birthday yesterday got from his son the 12-DVD set of the Red Sox' 2004 Yankees/StLouis thrashings. Ah, I raised a good boy!)
Three days to tile. 1.5 days to grout, clean, seal and caulk. No complicated cuts, patterns, etc.
The tile saw is in the bathroom with you, and you only have a short walk outside to mix thinset.
If you are doing a hotel, where you go from bathroom to another, then obviously you would become faster. Individual jobs vary so much.
standard means what in terms of plumbing holes and goof plates?
k
There is a hole for the shower head, shower valve, and faucet. The shower valve trim is probably 8" in diameter or so. The shower head trim is probably less than half that.
12 hours total onsite time should be adequate...... $750 minimum