How Much Does a Kitchen or Bathroom Backsplash Cost?

Backsplash Installation Costs by Type

The cost of installing tile backsplash depends on the material. Ceramic and vinyl tile are some of the most popular affordable options, and you’ll spend more for higher end materials like stone slabs or glass mosaics. Expect to add an average of $10 per square foot for professional installation, excluding the cost of grout, adhesives and other material used during installation.

Beadboard

Beadboard is sold in both slats and panels, whether you choose hardwood or an imitation made from PVC or medium-density fiberboard. Overall, you’re looking at a total project cost of around $11.80 to $13.50 per square foot, installed. Hardwood beadboard costs around $1 per square foot while other types cost between $0.50 and $0.75 per square foot. You also can’t lay down beadboard without a baseboard and caps, which cost $0.30 to $2.50 per square foot.

Ceramic Tile

The cost of ceramic tile has a huge range. Expect to spend anywhere from $1 per square foot for a basic ceramic tile to more than $100 per square foot for a handmade, mosaic tile. Some homeowners prefer to mix and match affordable and high-end tiles for a custom look. In general, a contractor will typically charge $10.50 to $11 per square foot for the project.

Vinyl Tile

In general, you can expect to spend between $12 and $20 per square foot to have a professional install vinyl tile—though there are peel-and-stick options that make DIY installation easier. The tiles themselves cost anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot. Overall, this material is popular because it’s wallet-friendly and comes in a wide range of sizes, styles, colors, and designs (though it’s not heat resistant and should not be used near a stove). 

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain is a popular backsplash material because it’s water resistant and more durable than ceramic. Expect to spend between $13 and $40 per square foot on porcelain tile installation. The tiles themselves generally cost between $3 and $30, though luxury and custom tiles can cost more. 

Slate Tile

Slate is a natural stone that’s favored for its look, heat resistance, and overall durability. A contractor will typically charge between $14 and $38 per square foot to install a slate tile backsplash. The tiles themselves usually cost between $4 and $10 per square foot, but high-end options could cost more than $28 per square foot.

Marble or Granite Tile

The typical homeowner spends between $17 and $110 per square foot to have marble or granite tile professionally installed. This is considered a high-end backsplash material, and eye-catching varieties along with luxury finishes can dramatically increase the price.  

Most homeowners spend $7 to $15 per square foot on the tiles themselves, but the cost could rise as much as $100 per square foot for rare stones like Calacatta marble. Despite the higher potential cost, granite and marble stone tiles are significantly more affordable than their slab counterparts.

Plastic Panels

The plastic panels used for backsplashes are typically made from PVC. You’ll often find them in peel-and-stick sheets that make for easy installation. PVC subway tile is particularly trendy because it’s a fraction of the cost of traditional subway tile and doesn’t require grout. Expect to pay $10 to $20 per square foot for the panels, and another $10 per square foot if you hire a pro to install them.

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel comes in both tiles and sheets. It’s a popular option for outdoor and commercial kitchens because of its durability and corrosion resistance. You can expect to pay between $10 and $35 per square foot for stainless steel tile and $40 to $90 per square foot for a stainless steel sheet. Add another $10 per square foot for professional installation.

Glass Tile

Glass tile costs anywhere from $20 to $50 per square foot to install. The cost depends on the design, and there’s a huge range of colors, finishes, and styles to choose from. The more intricate, the more expensive the tile will be. For example, installing a stained glass mosaic is going to cost more than installing a standard glass tile backsplash with a traditional glossy finish. Expect to spend between $10 and $40 per square foot on the glass tiles alone.

Stone Slab

There’s a large range in price when it comes to stone slabs because there are so many types. For example, a travertine slab can cost $25 to $50 per square foot, which is a little less than the cost of a basic granite slab. Meanwhile, rarer marble slabs could cost as much as $300 per square foot. This doesn’t include the labor cost, which can add as much as $30 per square foot if you’re dealing with a 200-pound slab. Stone slabs cost anywhere between $35 and $310 per square foot to install.

Backsplash Installation Cost Factors

How much it costs to install a backsplash largely depends on which material you use. Backsplash tiles, sheets, and slabs can cost anywhere from $11 per square foot to $310 per square foot, but there are some other factors that will also impact the total price of your project.

Kitchen vs. Bathroom 

The price difference between installing a backsplash in a kitchen vs. a bathroom depends on the type of tile, the application, and the size of your space. For example, installing a new backsplash is a significant part of the total cost of a kitchen remodel. Most homeowners pay between $300 and $1,000 for a 16-square-foot backsplash, but you could save on a renter-friendly, peel-and-stick option.

Homeowners tend to spend a little more on bathroom backsplash installation costs. The typical project is between $600 and $1,350, a fraction of the cost to retile your entire bathroom. If you are retiling, expect to spend an additional $3 to $6 per square foot for your contractor to remove your old backsplash, plus an additional $100 to $150 for debris disposal.

Patterns

Elaborate patterns like mosaic or herringbone backsplashes tend to cost more because they take more time to cut and install. The same goes for custom patterns. Some contractors could charge up to $100 per hour to install complex designs, which is about twice the typical amount for labor.

Labor

Labor typically costs between $40 and $60 per hour, which roughly translates to about an additional $10 per square foot on top of your material costs. For certain materials, labor costs will rise. For example, it can cost up to 30 per square foot to install a marble slab backsplash because of the weight of the stone. It could also cost more to install an intricate mosaic because it takes more time.

DIY vs. Hiring a Tiler

Labor costs add anywhere from $10 to $30 per square foot, so you can significantly slash your budget by installing a DIY backsplash. Many homeowners find peel-and-stick options or even just basic ceramic tile manageable to install. Remember, if you’re going to install your backsplash yourself, you’ll still have to factor in materials like grout, adhesive, and sealant. 

Some tiles are more difficult to install than others. If you don’t have any tiling experience or plan to use heavy stone slabs and custom cut tiles, it’s best to call a tile contractor near you.

FAQs

How long does it take to install a backsplash?

It can take two to four days to install a backsplash. For a basic job, a contractor will spend the first day prepping the space (which includes removing your old backsplash) and installing new tile. The second day is typically spent on grouting, cleaning, and sealing. 

Can you put a new backsplash over the old one?

Yes, but it’s not typically the best choice. Many renters use removable peel-and-stick tile over their existing backsplash as a non-permanent way to customize their space. However, the average homeowner will probably want to remove their existing backsplash to get a smooth look that doesn’t infringe on counter space or look clunky around outlets. 

How much does it cost to tile a bathroom wall?

For a 5-by-8-foot bathroom, it will cost anywhere from $440 to $770 to tile a wall with basic ceramic tile (assuming you have a standard 8-foot ceiling height). Other options like porcelain or marble will cost more, though most homeowners spend between $11 and $15 per square foot.

How do you prepare a painted wall for tile?

To prepare a painted tall for tile, follow these steps:

1. Remove any loose paint before filling cracks and tiny holes. Use sandpaper to even the surface.

2. Ensure that the surface is completely dust- and grease-free.

3. Vacuum the wall before cleaning with trisodium phosphate.

4. Fill a bucket with 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate and a gallon of hot water.

5. Dip a sponge into the solution before scrubbing your wall with it.

6. Allow the solution to sit on your wall for about two minutes.

7. Rinse the solution off with a clean sponge and hot water.

8. Allow the wall to air-dry completely before tiling.

Can you glue backsplash tile?

Yes, you can glue backsplash tile. Do this with cement-based mortar, also called thin-set mortar. Or use mastic, an organic adhesive used specifically for securing ceramic tiles. Thin-set mortar works best with glass and stone tile.