Depending on the materials, size, design complexity, and labor costs in the area, the average cost of installing a backsplash can range from $350 to $1,500. For a thirty-square-foot wall area, the typical cost of installing a tile backsplash is $850, including materials and labor.
A homeowner can build a simple ceramic tile backsplash or a peel-and-stick backsplash on the cheap end for as little as $150 by doing it themselves. In contrast, idealistic homeowners envisioning an opulent area can shell out as much as $9,000 for a meticulously crafted stone backsplash.
The cost is also influenced by other factors. Continue reading to find out how much to install backsplash.
How Much To Install Backsplash: Costing
How much to install backsplash? Depending on the size of the backsplash area, the kind of material utilized, and the laborer(s), it can vary greatly.
Here are some estimated costs for installing a backsplash:
Cost Of Labor
People with DIY skills may install backsplashes themselves, particularly with peel-and-stick vinyl or simple ceramic or porcelain tiles, but most people will probably prefer to work with a tile contractor.
The average hourly rate for contractors is between $50 to $70, or roughly $12 per square foot. The hourly charge can reach as high as $120 per hour, or around $24 per square foot, for more complex designs or challenging-to-work-with materials.
Cost Of Materials
The materials will be the biggest cost of a backsplash. There’s a lot for you to decide on from.
Beadboard and ceramic are the most economical materials, with prices per square foot starting at $1 to $3, depending. Peel-and-stick vinyl backsplashes, which are the simplest to install, also start at about $2.5 per square foot. When it comes to DIY backsplash installation, this is the greatest option. Marble and stone are the most costly backsplash materials, costing up to $120 to $250 per square foot, depending. Although ceramic and porcelain are economical options, if you choose custom-made, handcrafted tiles, they can cost as much as $120 per square foot.
You’ll also need to buy grout (you should budget between $25 to $60) and mortar, also known as mastic adhesive, which typically costs $20 to $40. If you’re doing the installation yourself, you might need to purchase extra materials and equipment.
Factors That Affect How Much To Install Backsplash
Considering material costs can vary greatly, the cost of installing a backsplash might vary greatly as well. Below are the factors that affect how much to install backsplash:
Material
The cost of materials varies greatly between backsplashes made of tile and stone. Stone backsplashes don’t require extra material costs like grout, but tile materials are significantly more reasonably priced per square foot.
Slab backsplashes can be installed more quickly, but lifting the full block of stone usually takes multiple people. It’s best to leave this job to the professionals because precise measures are necessary when working with a single slab.
Design And Size
You will need to buy a certain amount of materials depending on how big the wall is that you plan to tile. However, the backsplash’s design is just as important to consider as its size. The project will undoubtedly take longer and you may waste more materials if you’re using irregularly shaped tiles or making a complex design inside the tiles.
If you want the tiler to assist you in designing and building a complex mosaic or herringbone pattern, you might have to pay a design fee. A mirror backsplash or a chalkboard backsplash are two more unusual design concepts. These can have different material costs.
Labor Costs
For tile backsplash design, you should budget between $50 to $120 for each working hour. Although stone slabs, such as marble and quartz, can cost more per hour, they often need less time to complete.
The labor cost varies depending on where you live. In general, hourly labor costs for backsplash installation are greater in coastal and urban areas having higher costs of living compared to rural areas.
Ways To Install A Backsplash At A Lower Cost
Seeking ways to cut costs on installing a backsplash? The following tips can help you cut costs:
Consider Peel And Stick, Beadboard, Ceramic, Or Porcelain Tile
The least expensive materials for backsplash tiles are porcelain, beadboard, and ceramic. A backsplash made entirely of white ceramic subway tiles is still fashionable and can be had for as cheap as $1 per square foot.
Although the cost of a peel-and-stick vinyl backsplash starts at about $2 per square foot, you don’t need to spend for cement and mortar because they are quite simple to install. However, they’re not as durable as the other options.
Do It Yourself
Although it requires time and diligence, installing a backsplash is a completely doable do-it-yourself project. You can do it yourself for half of the installation cost.
Make The Design Simpler
The cost of materials and labor will increase with the size of the backsplash’s wall area and the complexity of the design. Although more materials and labor hours are needed for larger spaces, more materials could be spent and more labor hours could be required for smaller spaces with more complex shapes and cuts.
For a tiny portion of the wall, go for a simple design to save costs. A cheap kitchen makeover concept that might revitalize your cooking space is the traditional offset rectangular white subway tile, which is still quite beautiful.
Get Multiple Quotes
Ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations when choosing a backsplash renovation contractor, and do some research on online reviews as well. If you want to cut costs on your kitchen backsplash, get estimates from three or more of the best tile contractors in your area. Then, choose the lowest quote.
Conclusion
Installing a backsplash yourself can save you money, but the cost may be reduced if you need to purchase basic tools and supplies that a contractor would already have. Asking as many contractors as you can how much to install backsplash is also a good idea. This can help you in choosing the best ways while lowering costs.
A professional remodeler contractor may do the work in as little as two days, and hiring one can lead to a cleaner job. Even professionals must wait a whole night before grouting the tiles.
Professionals are usually quicker and more efficient, even with a two-day project timetable. If you decide to DIY your backsplash, you may have to close down your space for a full week, or longer if you’re working on small portions of it.