Tile Installation Estimate Template
Tile setters lose money on the parts the client never sees: backer board, membrane, leveling, and the cuts around a niche or a drain. Price tile labor per sq ft by surface, put substrate and waterproofing on separate lines, and state the tile size, because large format takes longer to set.
No sign-up. Totals, tax and deposit are worked out for you; print it or save it as a PDF.
Free download (no sign-up): Excel / Word
This estimate as a file you can fill in and send: the line items below, with amounts, tax and the total worked out by formulas.
How to use this file
- Download it and open it in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, Word or Google Docs.
- Put in your business details and the client, then replace the example lines and prices with your own. In Excel, amounts, tax and the total update as you type.
- Check the payment terms, then save it as a PDF and send it to the client.
Example line items
| Item | Unit | Qty | Example price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement backer board, installed | sq ft | 90 | 3–6 / sq ft |
| Shower waterproofing membrane | sq ft | 90 | 3–7 / sq ft |
| Wall tile, 12×24 in (labor) | sq ft | 90 | 10–20 / sq ft |
| Floor tile with leveling clips (labor) | sq ft | 60 | 8–16 / sq ft |
| Bullnose, edge profiles and niche | lot | 1 | 250–800 |
| Grout, caulked joints and sealing | sq ft | 150 | 1–2.5 / sq ft |
Amounts are examples before tax, not price advice. Add sales tax or VAT where it applies.
What to put on the quote
- Area by surface (shower walls, bathroom floor, backsplash) with tile size and pattern (straight, offset, herringbone).
- Substrate and waterproofing system, and whether existing tile is removed.
- Who supplies tile and setting materials, with the overage allowed for cuts and breakage.
- Grout type and color, joint width, and which edges get trim or bullnose.
Common mistakes
- Quoting a herringbone or large-format layout at the straight-lay rate.
- Tiling over drywall in a wet area because the old wall "looked fine".
- Not counting trim pieces and edge profiles, which add up fast on outside corners.
Deposit, balance and validity
A 30% deposit to start, a progress payment once the membrane is complete and checked, and the balance after grouting and cleanup. Tile bought for the client cannot be returned once cut. Estimate valid for 30 days.
Questions people ask
Why does large-format tile cost more to install?
Big tiles need a flatter substrate, more thinset and often two people to set, so the rate per sq ft is higher.
How much extra tile should be ordered?
About 10% for straight lay and 15% or more for diagonal or herringbone, plus a box kept for future repairs.
How soon can I use the shower?
After the grout and caulk cure, often 48–72 hours; the estimate states the wait for the products used.