What a tile estimate is for
Two tile bids for the same shower can be miles apart, and the difference is under the tile: backer board, waterproofing, a properly sloped pan. An estimate that lists those layers shows the owner what the cheaper bid probably skipped, and records the tile, pattern and grout color so nobody remembers it differently on setting day.
What to put on a tile estimate
- Demo, backer and waterproofing as separate lines.
- Tile size, pattern and grout color.
- Niche, bench and trim pieces.
- Shower pan type and drain.
- Who supplies the tile.
- Cure time before the shower is used.
A worked example
A tub-to-shower tear-out, about 88 sq ft of wall tile to 8 feet and a 15 sq ft mosaic floor.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo existing tile and haul away | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
| Cement board backer | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Waterproofing membrane | 103 | sq ft | Your price |
| Wall tile, set and grouted | 88 | sq ft | Your price |
| Mosaic shower floor | 15 | sq ft | Your price |
| Recessed niche | 1 | each | Your price |
Put the waterproofing on its own line. It is the layer the owner never sees, and the one that decides whether the shower leaks.
Line items tile installers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Demo existing tile and haul away | sq ft | Walls, floor, or both; disposal included. |
| Cement board or foam board backer | sq ft | Type and thickness. |
| Waterproofing membrane | sq ft | Sheet or liquid; seams and corners. |
| Shower pan, mortar bed or foam | each | Slope to the drain and drain type. |
| Wall tile, set and grouted | sq ft | Tile size, pattern and grout color. |
| Floor tile, set and grouted | sq ft | Layout and where the cuts land. |
| Mosaic or accent band | ft | Linear feet of the band or niche trim. |
| Recessed niche | each | Size, shelf and edge trim. |
| Floor leveling | sq ft | Self-leveler where the floor is out of flat. |
| Edge trim or bullnose | ft | Metal or tile edge. |
| Grout sealer | sq ft | For cement grout; not needed with epoxy. |
| Tile and setting material | sq ft | From your supplier with markup, plus waste. |
Terms and deposit language for tile
- Deposit. A deposit at signing pays for tile and setting materials ordered for this bathroom or floor. Confirm your state's rules on home improvement deposits.
- Payment. Balance due after grout has cured and the job is walked with the owner.
- Warranty. Stand behind cracked tile and loose tile caused by the install, and leaks through a pan you built. Cracks from the house moving or a subfloor you were not asked to fix are left out.
- Tile from the same lot can vary in shade; we mix boxes so the variation spreads out.
- Showers need cure time before use; the day the owner can shower is in the notes.
- Damage found under the old tile, like rotten subfloor, is priced on a change order with photos.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for tile
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, deck, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, home inspection, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for tile installers: how tile installers run on Koira.