A question then the reasoning for it:
How much should a tile setter charge per square foot?
I install approx. 2 – 3 tile backsplashes per year. The customer furnishes all material & I supply only the labor. I charge $10.00 per square foot. Upon completion of this last backsplash I had 15 hours invested which neted me $20.00 per hour. All of my other remodeling jobs pay significantly more so I felt it best to check here & see what others charge.
Thanks,
dlb
.
The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
Replies
You've already answered your question.
You need to charge more if you want to make more. Doesn't matter what the sq ft price is
Especially for a backsplash.
For the purists, $999,999 per SF
It depends. If it is a straight forward install of 4' tiles with no pattern and no outlets, you might be ok with your price. But if there are outlets to cut around and maybe a pattern to work out, or fancy tiles, or a lot of cutting ...
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
$10/SF *might* be ok if you are setting a wide open floor and can get a whole lotta 12x12 tile down in a day. I'd probably use a number like $15 tho'.
A backsplash is what, 4" high? That's 1/3 of a SF per LF. I wouldn't be surprised if $50 was the right number there.
A backsplash is what, 4" high?
That would work if you wanted to put spaghetti noodles on the counter. My hause has about 18" between the counter and upper cabs."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Point being that a splash is few SF and a lot more work than a floor or other open area. Guys running around "setting tile for $10 a foot" regardless of what or where it is are generally killing themselves.
By backsplash I mean the area from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets, w/ cutouts for outlets and switches w/ a diamond pattern.
I took a few metrics while doing this job: I can install 3 square feet per hour and it took me 10 hours to install the tile in the kitchen at ~ 30 square feet. It took me a little longer than expected to grout - ~ 5 hours which includes cleanup.
Therefore,
After reading the responces to my original post I think that I will increase my rate and charge extra for inserts, borders, etc.
I do appreciate everyones help.
Thanks,
dlb
.
The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
I don't use square foot prices. I develop my price based on how long and how much it will cost me to finish a job to MY satisfaction. This is a craft industry and if your like me and have elevated your craft above the average, why compete with people who will not deliver the same quality?
Tile setters around here make anywhere from $25-$35/hr.
You question most of the time can't be answered on the net unless someone is from your area. I would say to jack up your price, luck.
Most tile work these days I wouldn't touch for less than $25.00 per sqft.
It's just not worth less.
No one does anything simple 4x4 or whatever.
We have rails and copes and tumbled marble and glass and sealing and.......................
It's a complicated process to have most come out looking good now.
[email protected]
"usual" backsplash takes 2 days ...
I supply the thinset and/or mastic.
that runs $750.00
bigger jobs ... take 3 days ... $1,100.00
might be able to squeeze one smaller one out in a day with quickset tset ...
that'd be $500.
a backsplash seems like the worst place to work "sq ft" ...
most labor intensive per sq ft.
no room to get on pace and sling some tile ...
unless .... U worked up a backsplash-specific sq ft price ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
a backsplash seems like the worst place to work "sq ft" ...<<<<
Exactly right!
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
bigger jobs ... take 3 days ... $1,100.00<<<<
Thats all????????? eleven hundred bucks for three days work?
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Yup.
remember ... this ain't NYC ...
and that ain't 3 full days.
I fight tooth and nail for $1,800/week ...
while 99% of my competition is thrilled with $1,000.
so ... local markets apply.
on the other hand ... if I got $1,100 for 3 days work each and every 3 days ....
I'd be a rich man in these here parts!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
yeh I can see that....no $20,000 tax a year in your immediate parts...I've just about had it with that BS.
Also...doing a tile backsplash is at least satisying easy comfy work with almost immmediate gratification..I love that...lol
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
U still looking to move?
Pgh just won "most livable" again ...
and ... different poll somewhere ... second most courteous drivers!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Pgh just won "most livable" again ...and ... different poll somewhere ... second most courteous drivers!<<Yeh..we're outta here..just not sure where yet. Sebastopol Cali keeps the lead up so far mainly cuz my pregnant daughter Niko lives in SF with her husband who's parents have a gorgous piece of RE in Healdsberg Cal just north of Sebastopol which is why I've become familiar with the area...but if I was gonna move to a different city, courtious drivers would be the very first thing I'd look for...LOL
and if I was gonna move to Pittsberg at least I have a friend there...right?
Later dude..off to have a physical..ut oh.
andy...
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
off to have a physical..ut oh.
back from having my new BP medicine checked ...
BP is just fine ... so now he wants to worry me about cholesterol ...
back at computer to mapIt to a local blood lab.
Out the door for an unexpected delay beofre work ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I JUST got back and they had my results and wanted to take more blood. I asked why and then they asked me what kinda diet I was on...ut oh..just as I feared...I told them macrobiotics..they said my test results were so good they wanted to recheck some things. Said almost everything was beyond normal except blood pressure and B-12 which was JUST normal.
They told me to keep doing what I'm doin' and the doc asked me to explain to him about macrobiotics.
All my cholestorol was was really good...mainly because I eat no meat and cook with essential oils. You just need to decide if its worth it to you...a few extra years to live or eating meat...might go for the meat..after all, might get hit by a vitamin truck tomorrow and die...lol.
Now all I need is a prefrontal labotomy and I'll be perfect...LOL.
My blood pressure "used to be" through the roof. Actually for years I was on meds for it..Atenonol...Since I've switched my diet its been perfectly normal the first time in my life.
A real good thing to do for your BP as nasty as it is is to get on the treadmill if its too hard to change your diet...fast walking really helps a lot. I hated running outside..too much preperation..I just walk into my meditation room...crank up the tunes and run for a bit...then I sit.
But don't forget about the vitamin truck : )~
"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit." Abbie Hoffman
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
25 years ago I got 2.50 to 4.00/sf for larger areas like showers and public restrooms. Backsplashes are one of the hardest timewise to do. There is generally some art work involved too. So they are more.
Factor inflation and it would be more like 30/sf now
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Edited 5/18/2007 12:04 am ET by Piffin